In emotional statement, Dolly Parton’s sister highlights act of kindness in country star’s final days

What This Story Is About

• Stella Parton, the sister of Dolly Parton, has released a statement following the country star’s death.

Why It Matters

• It marks the latest in a long series of tributes for the Queen of East Tennessee.

What Happens Next

• Dolly’s family has released funeral plans and asked fans to pay tribute to Dolly through generosity.

For Context

• Dolly’s death was announced Tuesday, confirming she had died after a brief battle with cancer.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Dolly Parton’s sister, Stella Parton, released a statement Thursday following the death of the Queen of Country Music, paying tribute to her big sister.

“My big sister Dolly got her wings this past Tuesday. If anyone gets to heaven I’m sure she made it right on time,” Stella Parton said. “I know she’s showing out big time, in all her sparkles and shine.”

The statement also offered some insight into Dolly’s final days, saying the country star allowed medical teams to try experimental drugs to treat her cancer treatment in hopes what they learned would help others.

“My sister was one of the most generous, thoughtful and kind people I’ve ever known,” Stella Parton said. “What the world saw is exactly who she was, so much so, she told me recently that if there was no hope for her, she would still allow her medical team to try experimental drugs in the hope of helping others in the future.”

Dolly’s death was announced Tuesday afternoon. Since then, people across the world have paid tribute to East Tennessee’s most beloved family member, pointing to her history of artistry, business prowess and philanthropy.

Dolly’s impact was felt all over the world, whether it be from vacationers visiting Dollywood or young kids building their first libraries through free books delivered through the mail.

Stella Parton’s full statement is below:

My big sister Dolly got her wings this past Tuesday.

If anyone gets to heaven I’m sure she made it right on time.

I know she’s showing out big time, in all her sparkles and shine.

That was my sister’s way.

Every Tuesday about this time, before the sun came up and the world was still asleep, she and I for many years had our coffee together over the phone.

Being little farm girls we’ve continued to be early risers.

As she liked to say; “shoot Tedda we get more work done before the sun comes up than most folks do all day long!”

We would catch up on gossip, as sisters do, and drink coffee and make plans as it has always been our way.

My sister was one of the most generous, thoughtful and kind people I’ve ever known.

What the world saw is exactly who she was, so much so, she told me recently that if there was no hope for her, she would still allow her medical team to try experimental drugs in the hope of helping others in the future.

My sister was always thinking of others and if you want to honor her legacy, show more kindness, lift others up and give more of your time and resources as she continued to do to the very end.

I want to personally thank all of you for the out pouring of love and respect you are showing my sister.

Your love and respect for her is deeply felt by all of us who loved her first and it helps as we grieve her passing through our lives!

My Tuesday morning coffee time will never be the same but her love, respect and goodness will remain.

Dolly loved the world and everyone in it.

I would criticize and complain about it and she would laugh and say; “shoot Tedda, we’ve got more important things to do than worry about their silly asses.”

She was right and she proved it everyday.

She left the world a better place by being in it so let’s follow her example. Love and respect to all of you.