Dolly Parton’s Siblings may not have made a name as the renowned country singer, yet, they are an important part of life. The Grammy award-winning singer and her 11 siblings were born to Robert Lee Parton and Avie Lee Parton in the Smoky Mountains of Tenessee. From childhood, they shared a passion for music and this provided a bright spot despite the family’s poverty.
While the world has been blessed with Dolly’s Coat of Many Colors and Joleen among other hit songs, there is so much to know about the other members of her family.
Let’s Meet Dolly Parton’s Siblings
1. Willadeene Parton
Often described as a second mother to her siblings, Willadeen is the oldest among Dolly Parton’s siblings. The 84-year-old is an author known for her stories about the Partons.
She launched her writing career in 1985 with In The Shadow Of A Song: A Story Of The Parton Family. After that first release, she concentrated on writing her next book which was released 11 years after in 1996 titled Smoky Mountain Memories: Stories from The Hearts Of The Parton Family.
For Willadeene’s next work, she concentrated more on the family’s diet by sharing their mother’s recipe in All Day Singing And Dinner On The Ground. Away from her writing career, she is the mother of Mitchell Blalock whom she had with her ex-husband, Arthur Blalock.
2. David Wilburn Parton
Born in 1942, he is 4 years older than Dolly Parton who was born in 1946. From childhood, he and the older siblings assisted their parents in taking care of their younger ones as the family struggled to make ends meet.
While their father, Robert Lee Parton who has been described as being unable to read or write, worked as a farmer and on a construction site David supported his siblings by being there for them. Moving on, he has managed to stay away from media attention making it hard to follow his career and family life.
3. Coy Denver Parton
Like his other siblings, the 81-year-old was born and raised in the smoky mountains of Tennessee. He shared the family’s one-bedroom mountain cabin as well as the Christian teaching of their parents.
In adulthood, Coy managed to choose a career path away from entertainment making it difficult to know what he is up to.
4. Bobby Lee Parton
He is the fourth and immediate older brother of the Jolene singer. Bobby who shares the same name as their father is still alive and keeps a very private life.
5. Stella Mae Parton
She was born on May 4, 1949, in Sevierville, Tennessee. Like many of her family members, she also found her way into the entertainment world at a young age. She was only 7 years old when she made her debut television appearance alongside her older sister, Dolly who is three years old only.
In 1967, she made her music debut. In 1975, she made a name for herself as a talented singer with the hit song I Want to Hold You in My Dream. Ever since she released the songs. Aside from her solo career, she has been a supporter of her sister’s career and even made an appearance in the 2015 biopic, Coat of Many Colors.
She has been married three times. Her first marriage Marvin Carroll Rauhoff whom she had her only child, Timothy. After the marriage ended in 1966, she married James E Malloy and later Steven A. Messer.
6. Cassie Nan Parton
As one of Dolly Parton’s siblings, she is also a talented singer and member of the gospel trio alongside Dolly and Stella. Back in the ’60s, the siblings sang together and even released In the Garden, a gospel album. In 2013, she made an appearance on her sister’s Dollywood show alongside other members of her family.
Despite sharing a passion for entertainment, Cassie has since retired
7. Randy Parton
He launched a musical career that showcased his talents as a country singer in his own right. While Randy as many referred to him never gained as much fame as the Queen of country music, he had notable works such as Roll On. The 1982 song was first recorded by him and became a huge success after Alabama, a country music band recorded it.
Aside from his solo career which produced three albums, he also managed and performed at theatres such as the one in Roanoke Rapids. While his time working with these theatres could have added to his career and fame, it led to much controversy. In the end, the city terminated his contract and renamed the theatre.
Away from this, Randy supported his sister’s career of over five decades. He played the guitar for many years in her band as well as done duets with the Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle To You crooner. The close relationship between the two is not lost on many as Parton wrote You Are My Christmas for her little brother. As you would find, Randy was married to Deb, with whom he shared two children, Heidi and Sabyn.
While his children are part of the large Parton family, Heidi also shares a musical streak. She has shared the stage with her famous aunt, and her father on You Are My Christmas.
Sadly, he passed away from cancer at the age of 67 in 2021.
8. Larry Gerald Parton
He never made it to adulthood as he died four days after he was born. Nonetheless, his siblings especially Dolly relived his life on their own. Snippets from her biopic, A Coat of Many Colors show the 9-year-old singing by his graveside.
9. Freida Estelle Parton
Together with Floyd, she made up the second half of the twins born into the Parton family. She launched a career in her younger years and even sang in an 80s punk band, but she never enjoyed as much acclaim as her older sister. Despite being in the shadow of Dolly’s career, she also released an album in 1984 titled Two Faced.
Nonetheless, she sang in the background as a backup on some of Dolly’s songs. Freida no longer sings now.
10. Floyd Estel Parton
Born on June 1, 1957, he is the singer’s youngest brother. Before his sad death in December 2018 at the age of 61, he was Dolly’s long-time songwriting collaborator. Some of his hit songs include the 1991 Rockin Years which Dolly recorded with Ricky Van Shelton and 1978 Nickels and Dimes.
Aside from his career as a songwriter, Floyd also enjoyed outdoor activities as well as cooking. Regarding his love life, the talented songwriter managed to keep the details away from the public.
See Also: Jimmy Carter’s Siblings: Is Any Of His Brothers And Sisters Alive?
11. Rachel George Parton
She is the youngest of the celebrity siblings. Like most of her siblings, she also launched a career as a singer and actress. While growing up, Rachel just wanted to have children and have a quiet life. However, the influence of other members of her family made her choose an entertainment career.
Shortly after her first solo performance on stage, Dolly’s younger sister got a role in the ABC sitcom 9 to 5. She appeared on the show between 1982 and 1988, yet, Rachel did not enjoy much success as an actress in the years after.
Regarding her love life, the 65-year-old has been married twice. She married her first husband, Richard Dennison, a film producer in 1978. During their marriage which lasted till 1996, they had one child. She has since moved on and is now married to Eric Wilson George.
