Stella Parton Shares What She'll Miss Most About Late Sister Dolly Parton

Stella Parton shared what she'll miss most about her late sister, beloved country legend Dolly Parton.

Stella, 77, met with Gayle King at a recording studio in Nashville, Tennessee. She pointed out that Dolly recorded hits like "I Will Always Love You" and "Jolene" at the studio, where they spoke for an interview on CBS Mornings. Stella's interview arrived just a few weeks after Dolly died "peacefully" on August 25. She was 80. Her representatives confirmed to PEOPLE, "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 for immediate family beside husband Carl Dean, who died in March 2025. He was 82.

Stella opened up to King about Dolly's decision to keep her cancer battle private, Dolly's relationship with Dean, the last thing Dolly asked her for, and more. King asked Stella what she'd miss most about her sister, and she replied:

"I don't miss her struggling, in pain," Stella continued. "I know she was at peace. …I could always tell by looking at her face, even if I hadn't seen her in months, on camera, I could tell if she was hurt, angry, happy or sad, or felt bad. I could see it on her. She's my sister, you know? We were very close as a family. She knew where she was going. She wasn't going anywhere bad. She was going to be with mom and daddy. Yeah, she was definitely prepared."

Stella said later in the interview that she hopes people remember Dolly as "very sweet, kind, loving, brilliant and so talented," and that Dolly's memory inspires young people to dream.

After losing her sister, Stella offered a glimpse into the relationship they shared in a heartfelt tribute. She told others, in part, that "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."

Dolly and Stella were two of 12 children born to Evie Lee Parton and Robert Lee Parton in Sevier County, Tennessee. The siblings also include Willadeene, David, Coy "Denver,"Robert Jr. ("Bobby"), Cassie, Randy, Larry (who died shortly after his birth in 1955), Floyd, Freida and Rachel. Dolly is preceded in death by siblings Larry, Floyd (who died in 2018 at age 61), Randy (who died in 2021 at age 67), David (who died in 2024 at age 82), and Coy (who died earlier this year at age 82).

The official announcement issued Tuesday stated that "Dolly is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years Carl Thomas Dean (1942 - 2025), her mother Avie Lee Caroline Owens (1923 - 2003), and father, Robert Lee Parton, Sr. (1921 - 2000). …At Dolly's request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family. Dolly's fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging @DollyParton or by leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library."