Dolly Parton’s Older Brother, David, Has Died. Who Are the Other Parton Siblings?
Dolly Parton‘s older brother, David Parton, died on Friday, Nov. 15, at the age of 82. Of the 12 original Parton children, four have now passed on — in addition to David, singer Randy Parton died in 2021 at 67, songwriter Floyd Parton in died 2018 at the age of 61, and Larry Parton passed away shortly after his birth in 1955.
Dolly, 78, often works with her siblings, either in music or other pursuits, such as Good Lookin’ Cookin‘, a cookbook Dolly recently coauthored with sister Rachel Parton George. What are Dolly’s remaining siblings up to today?
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Willadeene, 84
Avie Lee Owens married Lee Parton in 1939. Eldest Parton sibling Willadeene was born the following year, in 1940.
Though Willadeene had a gospel singing combo with sisters Cassie and Stella in the 1950s, she is better known for the two books she published: 1996’s Smoky Mountain Memories: Stories From the Hearts of the Parton Family and the 1997 cookbook All-Day Singing & Dinner on the Ground.
Coy, 81
Dolly’s oldest living brother, Coy, has eschewed the spotlight and lived a private life.
Robert Jr., 76
Similar to Coy, brother Robert has also opted to live away from the limelight. Little is known about his life.
Stella, 75
Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
Born in 1949, Stella is a musician, just like big sis Dolly. In fact, Dolly and Stella performed together, along with sister Cassie, on The Porter Wagoner Show in 1970. Dolly was a cast member of the musical show, which was hosted by her mentor and frequent early collaborator Wagoner.
Stella released her debut album, I Want to Hold You in My Dreams Tonight, in 1975, and has released over 20 albums since. She has also acted, appearing in everything from a 1979 episode of The Dukes of Hazzard to the 2016 NBC made-for-TV movie Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love. She also appeared a contestant on the 2018 season of Celebrity MasterChef.
Cassie, 73
(l-r) Cassie Parton, Dolly Parton and Rachel Parton. Katherine Bomboy/NBC
Cassie has periodically joined the family music business, singing gospel with her sisters as a child and performing with Dolly and Stella in her late teens. Though Cassie continues to sing privately and did appear in the Dollywood show “My People” in 2013, she currently pursues a private life and is the mother of two children.
Freida, 67
(l-r) Stella Parton, Freida Parton, and Dolly Parton. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Little sister Freida is also a musician, though while her siblings mostly worked on country careers, Freida recorded rock and pop songs, and even briefly sang in a punk band. However, she still sang the classics with her sisters on occasion, like on this 1987 episode of Live on Dolly!, where she, Dolly and Stella sang “On Top of Old Smoky”:
She has also contributed backing vocals to a number of Dolly’s recordings.
Freida became an ordained minister in 2014 and opened up a combination wedding chapel/antique store, Parton Family Wedding Chapel & Antiques, which has unfortunately since closed. Her daughter, Jada, is currently pursuing a singing career.
Rachel, 65
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The youngest Parton sibling, Rachel, born in 1959, has sung with her family, but is best known for her acting. She starred alongside first Rita Moreno and then Sally Struthers in the Nine to Five TV adaptation of Dolly’s movie, 9 to 5, which ran from 1982 to 1983, and then in a revived syndicated version from 1986 to 1988. Rachel appeared under the name Rachel Dennison and played Doralee, the character originated by her sister in the 1980 film.
Rachel is retired from acting and singing, but can still be found working on projects with Dolly, like their cookbook.
(l-r) Stella Parton, Freida Parton, Dolly Parton, Mark Andersen and Floyd Parton. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
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Queens of Country
November 2019
Get your toes-tapping as we give a nod to the queens of classic country music.
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