Dolly Parton’s Sister Freida Reveals Country Icon Helped Raise Her: 'She Became My Momma'

Freida Parton is remembering the special bond she shared with her big sister Dolly Parton.

On Saturday, August 29, Freida, 69, took to Facebook to honor the country music icon, who died on August 25 at age 80.

“Thank you all for bearing with me as I mourn the death of my big sister,” Freida began, directing her message to fans.

Freida explained that while the rest of the world knew Dolly as a global superstar, their relationship was much more personal behind closed doors. With an 11-year age difference between them, Dolly helped care for Freida during her teenage years and became something of her second mother.

“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 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),” the singer-songwriter penned.

The sisters grew up in a large family in rural Tennessee. Dolly was the fourth of 12 children born to Robert and Avie Lee Parton, while Freida was the 10th child and had a twin brother, Floyd Parton, who died in 2018.

Freida also acknowledged that their relationship wasn't always perfect.

“Like all sisters, we definitely had our 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. 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. 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," she wrote.

Although the grief remains overwhelming, Freida said she knows what Dolly would want her to do next.

“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. I’m 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,” Freida concluded. “Thank you for loving her, for praying for her, and now, for loving and praying for all of us. ❤️ All My Love, Freida.”

Freida's tribute comes after other members of the Parton family shared emotional memories following Dolly's death.

As OK! previously reported, Dolly's niece Lainey Parton confirmed that the country music legend's funeral had taken place following her death after a brief battle with cancer.

"This is a really hard post for me to make. I wanted to wait until after my granny was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put any of this into words," Lainey captioned a tribute post dedicated to the "I Will Always Love You" hitmaker on Saturday, August 29.

Lainey did not share additional details about the ceremony, which was expected to be a "small, private" gathering for Dolly's immediate family.

Still, she opened up about how difficult it has been to accept the loss.

"It still doesn’t feel real that she’s gone. I’m going to miss her voice, her laugh, her hugs, and just knowing she was there. I’m even going to miss those 4 a.m. calls, and I’d give anything to see her name pop up on my phone again,” Lainey lamented.

Dolly's nephew previously shared one of the singer's final requests while announcing her death.

"Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest," Bryan Seaver, the son of Dolly's sister Cassie Parton, said in a video shared on Tuesday, August 25.