Country singer Lainey Wilson has shared intimate details from her final phone call with Dolly Parton, who passed away this week at the age of 80. Wilson, 34, posted a tribute on Instagram featuring photos of herself with the late music legend, including moments from onstage collaborations and studio sessions.
In the caption accompanying the images, Wilson described Parton as someone who made everyone feel like a friend. "My Dolly. I felt like you were my friend before we even met.. you made everybody feel that way," Wilson wrote.
Wilson recounted that during their last conversation, a few weeks prior to Parton's death, they discussed their respective careers, their spouses, and their faith. "We got to talk about the business, the sacrifice, how special Carl Dean was to you and how important Duck is to me," Wilson shared, referencing Parton's late husband and her own partner, Devlin 'Duck' Hodges. Parton offered Wilson advice on maintaining balance in her relationship: "It’s all great and stuff that Duck lets you be you, but you better make sure you let Duck be himself too."
The conversation also touched upon their spirituality. "You also told me to take my time reading the book of Revelation and that I might need to go on back to Psalms for a minute to catch my breath," Wilson recalled.
Parton conveyed a sense of unfinished business in her career, telling Wilson she felt she was "not finished." Wilson expressed her belief that Parton's impact and influence would endure, stating, "The kind of love and light you shined in your lifetime is the kind that never goes away."
Wilson previously spoke about Parton's mentorship in a 2023 interview with People, admitting she often asked herself, "What would Dolly do?" to navigate her own career. She further elaborated on Parton's influence during a BMI news conference earlier this year, noting how Parton always handled professional challenges with grace.
The two artists collaborated in 2023 on a cover of The Judds' song "Mama He's Crazy." Wilson recalled the experience positively, saying, "I got to spend time with her in the studio... and just having her coach me up and just the banter that me and her have been able to have with each other, I feel like I've known her from another lifetime."