Dolly Parton’s Sister Stella Speaks Out Against ‘Endless Misinformation’ Circulating About the Icon’s Death

Dolly Parton’s sister Stella Parton is speaking out against the “endless misinformation” circulating online following the country music icon’s death.

Stella, 77, took a moment during her Friday, September 4, “coffee hour” to address the social media posts that have made an already painful time even harder for her family.

In a two-slide statement shared on Instagram, Stella first thanked the “genuine” supporters who have shown the Parton family kindness and respect as they grieve. She then turned her attention to those using social media to spread speculation and negativity about her sister’s death.

“Sadly, because of the way our lives have been lived in front of the public, we have no choice but to be subjected to incredible pressure and insensitivity from strangers,” the Country Gold actress wrote.

“There is a tremendous amount of AI and endless garbage being posted everyday and it’s been challenging to absorb and or ignore," she continued.

She urged people to think twice before sharing hurtful or misleading content about her sister.

“As time passes, those who are in the business of exploiting the loss and tragedies of others on a daily basis will move on to the next stampede of endless misinformation,” she continued before asking fans to “show more compassion and wisdom as we move forward in life.”

Rather than engaging with “clever comments, fake AI garbage or snarky tweets” about the "Jolene" singer, Stella encouraged people to use her sister’s life as an example.

“Use my sister’s life as an example for tolerance and respect toward others,” she wrote.

She ended her message with a pointed reminder: “At the end of the day or the end of a life, how will you feel about yourself? It’s not about what other individuals you will never meet think of you!”

Stella has remained open about her grief since Dolly’s death on August 25, previously remembering the simple Tuesday morning phone calls they shared as sisters.

“My big sister Dolly got her wings this past Tuesday,” she wrote on Facebook on August 27.

“If anyone gets to heaven I’m sure she made it right on time, she added.

The sisters, who grew up as two of 12 children in the mountains of East Tennessee, would use their early-morning calls to “catch up on gossip, as sisters do, and drink coffee and make plans as it has always been our way.”

She also recalled Dolly’s generosity, saying, “My sister was always thinking of others.”

“My Tuesday morning coffee time will never be the same,” she wrote, adding, “But her love, respect and goodness will remain.”

Dolly’s family has kept her burial private, with her niece Lainey Mae Parton confirming she was laid to rest on August 28 in a small memorial for immediate family.