Dolly Parton’s sister Stella Parton revealed that the country music icon’s last request of her was for a prayer during their final conversation. Stella shared this detail during a recent interview on “CBS Mornings.”
“That’s the last thing Dolly asked me for, was prayer,” Stella recalled. She also expressed belief that her sister had not prioritized her health as much as she should have, noting Dolly’s relentless work ethic.
“My sister worked so hard for so long and just kept going,” Stella said. “Even until the last conversation I had with her, she was working. That was her passion.” The sisters maintained a close bond, speaking every Tuesday morning over coffee.
Stella indicated that during their last conversation, she sensed Dolly wasn't taking optimal care of her health. Despite her passing, Stella conveyed that Dolly’s presence was still felt at RCA Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, where the interview was recorded.
Many of Dolly Parton’s family members were reportedly unaware of her cancer battle prior to her death last month. Stella explained that Dolly preferred to shield loved ones and fans from negativity.
“Dolly could not bear negative things and she would not have wanted her fans worried about it,” Dolly’s sibling shared. “She didn’t want a lot of the family worried about it.” While some closer family members were aware, Stella stated that the specific type of cancer remained private out of respect for Dolly’s wishes. “That was her business,” Stella said. “She didn’t tell us that we could say it, so out of respect for her, I can talk about my love for her, describe who she is to me, but it’s not my business to tell her business.”
Recently, Stella Parton also addressed what she called a “stampede of endless misinformation” circulating about the country music legend after her death, including what she described as “tremendous amount of AI and endless garbage.” She emphasized Dolly’s positive impact and her love for her fans.
Dolly Parton died on August 25 at the age of 80. Three days later, she was laid to rest in an intimate burial next to her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean. Dolly’s cousin Richie Owens described the memorial as “quick” and very private, held with only “a few” loved ones present, fulfilling Dolly’s wish for a small ceremony.