Dolly Parton’s sister, Freida Parton, has shared a heartbreaking message after the legendary country singer was laid to rest.
Dolly Parton’s death was announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, on Instagram last week. Her representatives later confirmed in an interview with PEOPLE that the cause of death was a “brief battle” with cancer.
Fans around the world are mourning the iconic singer, along with her loved ones. The singer had a private family funeral in Nashville on Friday, according to her great-niece.
Now, Parton’s sister, Freida Parton, has shared a heartfelt message about the late country legend, remembering her not only as a superstar but as the sister who helped raise her.
She started off writing: “Thank you all for bearing with me as I mourn the death of my big sister.”
“I know to the entire world, she was a superstar, but to me, she was my Dolly Momma. She was the sister who would climb into bed with me when I was little because we were both afraid of the dark,” she wrote on Facebook, according to The Daily Beast.
“She was the woman who stepped up and became my Momma, raising me from ages 13 to 18. She was the one who tried to convince me to wear her wigs at my shows in Dollywood (sorry, sister, but I definitely didn’t listen to you on that one).”
“There will never be anyone who can replace her”
She also said the sisters had their “share of arguments and disagreements throughout the years” but “even through all the highs and lows, and all the laughter and tears, I never stopped loving her.”
Freida went on: “I asked you all months ago to pray for Dolly, but now I’m going to ask you to please pray for me and my entire family as we navigate this insurmountable loss,” she said. “There will never be anyone who can replace her in our hearts, and I know she holds a special place in many of yours as well.
“I know she would want me to keep going, keep smiling, and keep sharing the love she gave so freely with others. That is what I’m going to try to do, even on the days when it feels impossible.”
She concluded by saying she is working on “something very special for all of you in her honor.
“It’s my way of keeping a little piece of my Dolly Momma with me, while sharing her with all of you who loved her, too.”
In her final words, Freida made it obvious that while Dolly may be gone, the love she gave to her family and fans is something she intends to carry with her – and share with everyone who loved her.