Stella Parton Says Family Is 'Still Intact, Moving Forward' As They Grieve Loss Of Dolly Parton

Stella Parton said her family is "intact," and "moving forward," as they continue to mourn the loss of her sister, Dolly Parton.

Stella, 77, shared the update on Instagram on Thursday morning (September 24), just before the one-month mark since Dolly's passing. The "I Will Always Love You" legend "died peacefully" in Nashville, Tennessee, an official announcement confirmed on August 25. She was 80.

"Good morning, look at this beautiful day we are blessed to receive!" Stella, 77, shared on Instagram. Tomorrow will be one month since my big sister Dolly left us on this side of what is called reality! I feel her presences now as much as always. Her light will never go out because the seeds of goodness she planted in all our lives will keep growing!

Stella went on to express her gratitude to those who have taken part in an outpouring of heartfelt tributes to Dolly. Many plan to honor her on Friday (September 25) because the date, 9/25, nods to one of Dolly's most iconic hits of all time, "9 to 5." The song served as an anthem to the movie by the same title, which starred Dolly, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda. Stella said the tributes to Dolly are particularly appreciated given that the family is also grieving the loss of their brother, Coy "Denver," who died shortly before Dolly. He was 82.

"Thank you to all of you who recognized her efforts and genuine intentions. It has been a comfort to experience such an outpouring of love on her behalf as we grieve her passing," Stella said. "We are also grieving the loss of our brother Denver who passed less than a month before her. All families have the same struggles since we are all living in this world having a human experience!

"We are still intact and moving forward because our children and grandchildren look to us for strength and guidance during this difficult time of loss and confusion for them as well," Stella shared. "Regardless of what you may have seen on different news outlets, we are all doing what you would be doing under the same circumstances, we are living our lives one day at a time and being grateful for every blessing. Tomorrow there will be a celebration in my sister's honor and I thank you again for your support of her and your kind thoughts. God bless all of you and have a wonderful day!"

Stella seemingly referenced news of nephew Bryan Seaver's termination from his longtime role as Dolly's head of security. Shortly after news broke of his termination, Seaver was accused in court filings of escalating a campaign of threats and intimation against those in charge of Dolly's estate unless he was paid. She's Alive, LLC (SAL), an entity Dolly planned to protect her legacy after her death, filed the suit. A restraining order against Seaver was granted. Seaver has since said the restraining order is "simply a publicity stunt," and said he "never threatened anyone." Seaver also confirmed his aunt's passing on August 25 with a recorded statement from the family, per Dolly's request. Freida Parton, sister to Stella and Dolly, said in a statement of her own on Wednesday (September 23) that "there is no feud within our family. No one among the Parton/Owens family is fighting over Dolly's estate. We all love Bryan, just as we all love each other."

Dolly's representatives said in a statement to PEOPLE hours later, "after bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones." Dolly has since been laid to rest in a private service beside husband Carl Dean, who died in March 2025. He was 82.

Stella previously shared: "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."