The Tragic And Triumphant Lives Of Dolly Parton's 11 Siblings: An Updated Family Tree For 2025

The enduring legacy of Dolly Parton’s family is one of the most compelling stories in music history, rooted in the poverty and faith of the Smoky Mountains. As of December 2025, the family has recently faced both public health scares and the quiet passing of a beloved brother, reminding fans that even the most famous families are not immune to hardship. The story of Dolly's 11 siblings—six boys and six girls in total—is a testament to resilience, with many of them forging their own paths in music, acting, and private life, all while remaining a foundational support system for the Queen of Country. This deep dive offers the most current look at the 12 children of Robert "Lee" Parton and Avie Lee Owens, detailing the lives of the seven living siblings and honoring the four brothers who have passed away, including the most recent loss of David Wilburn Parton in late 2024.

The Complete Parton Family Tree: A Biographical List of Dolly's 11 Siblings

Dolly Parton is the fourth of twelve children. The following list details her 11 siblings in order of birth, providing an up-to-date look at their lives, careers, and contributions to the Parton family legacy.

• Willadeene Parton (Born 1940)

  As the eldest sibling, Willadeene has often been the quiet cornerstone of the family. She is an accomplished poet, writer, and storyteller. Her most notable work is the book Smoky Mountain Memories: Stories from the Hearts of the Parton Family, which offers a poignant look at their childhood and family values.

• David Wilburn Parton (1942–2024)

  David Wilburn Parton tragically passed away on November 15, 2024, at the age of 82. He lived a very private life, largely staying out of the spotlight compared to his famous sisters. David spent his career as a bridge builder superintendent, contributing to the infrastructure of his Tennessee home, a quiet but essential service that reflects the family’s grounded nature. His passing is the most recent major loss for the Parton family.

• Coy Denver Parton (Born 1943)

  Coy is the oldest living brother and, like David, has chosen a life away from the public eye. He is known for his deep commitment to privacy, focusing on his own family and career outside of the entertainment industry. He remains a key, though unseen, member of the close-knit Parton clan.

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• Robert "Bobby" Lee Parton Jr. (Born 1948)

  Robert Jr. also maintains a very private life, respecting the family’s desire for some members to remain out of the country music spotlight. While details of his professional life are scarce, his choice highlights the diverse paths the Parton siblings took despite their famous sister's global success.

• Stella Mae Parton (Born 1949)

  Stella Mae Parton is perhaps the most well-known of Dolly’s sisters, having carved out a successful career as a country singer, actress, and author. She has released numerous albums and is often outspoken on social media, using her platform to advocate for various causes. Her career includes hits like "I Want to Hold You in My Dreams Tonight" and a strong presence in gospel and Christian music.

• Cassie Nan Parton (Born 1951)

  Cassie is a talented singer and actress who has periodically participated in the family’s musical ventures. She performed in a gospel group with her sisters during childhood and appeared in the Dollywood stage show My People, which celebrates the Parton family’s story. Her career is a blend of private life and occasional public performance.

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• Randy Huston Parton (1953–2021)

  Randy was a beloved singer, songwriter, and musician who was a regular performer at Dollywood for many years. He was a major part of the family’s musical tradition, known for his warm stage presence and contributions to the park’s entertainment. Randy passed away in January 2021 at the age of 67 after a battle with cancer.

• Larry Gerald Parton (1955–1955)

  Larry Gerald Parton was a tragic loss for the family, passing away just four days after his birth in July 1955. Dolly, who was nine years old at the time, has often spoken about the profound impact this early heartbreak had on her mother and the entire family, shaping their collective resilience.

• Floyd Estel Parton (1957–2018)

  Floyd was a gifted singer and songwriter who contributed significantly to Dolly’s career, most notably by writing the classic song "Rockin’ Years," a duet with Ricky Van Shelton. He also wrote "Waltz Me to Heaven." Floyd passed away in December 2018 at the age of 61, leaving behind a strong musical legacy.

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• Freida Estelle Parton (Born 1957)

  Freida is Floyd’s twin sister and is known for her powerful singing voice and a more rock-and-roll style, earning her the nickname the "Rebel Parton." She has pursued her own music career and is also a minister. Freida made headlines in late 2025 when she publicly asked for prayers for Dolly amid health struggles, underscoring the deep bond between the sisters.

• Rachel Ann Parton Dennison (Born 1959)

  Rachel is the youngest of the 12 children. She is a singer and actress, famous for starring as Doralee Rhodes Brooks in the television series adaptation of Dolly’s movie, 9 to 5. Like many of her siblings, she has also performed at Dollywood, maintaining a connection to her sister’s empire and the family’s musical roots.

The Enduring Parton Family Music Legacy

The sheer number of talented singers and songwriters among the Parton siblings is no accident; it is the direct result of their upbringing in a small, one-room cabin in Locust Ridge, Tennessee. Their father, Robert Lee Parton, was a farmer and construction worker, but their mother, Avie Lee Owens, was a gifted musician who filled the home with Appalachian folk songs and gospel music. This environment fostered a natural inclination toward performance and songwriting in many of the children. The Parton family’s musical footprint extends far beyond Dolly's global superstardom. Stella, Randy, Floyd, Freida, and Rachel have all released their own music or performed professionally, making the Parton name synonymous with country music’s authentic mountain sound. Randy, in particular, was a fixture at Dollywood, often performing with his daughter, Heidi Parton, who continues the family tradition. This intergenerational commitment to music solidifies the Parton family's role as a true American musical dynasty.

Coping with Loss: The Private Lives of the Parton Brothers

While the sisters like Dolly, Stella, and Rachel have often been in the public eye, the Parton brothers have largely chosen a path of deep privacy. The recent passing of David Wilburn Parton in 2024, following the deaths of Randy (2021) and Floyd (2018), has brought the family’s private grief into the public sphere. David, Coy, and Robert Jr. represent the siblings who consciously opted for normal, quiet lives, respecting the family’s need for grounding away from the high-wattage celebrity of their sister. David's career as a bridge builder symbolizes the hard-working, non-glamorous roots that Dolly frequently praises, emphasizing that the family’s foundation is built on honest labor and strong community ties in Sevier County, Tennessee. The death of Larry Gerald Parton as an infant in 1955 is a story Dolly often shares to illustrate the deep sorrow and limited resources the family faced. This collective history of hardship and loss is a constant theme in the Parton narrative, one that fuels Dolly’s philanthropy through the Imagination Library and her commitment to the people of the Smoky Mountains.

The Current State of the Parton Family in Late 2025

As the family moves forward in late 2025, the focus remains on health and legacy. The public concern expressed by Freida Parton for Dolly’s health earlier in the year highlighted the intense, protective bond among the siblings. This close-knit relationship is a hallmark of the Parton family, where siblings frequently collaborate on projects, from Willadeene’s storytelling to Cassie and Rachel’s stage performances. Stella Parton continues to be an active voice, both as an artist and a social commentator, ensuring the Parton name stays relevant across various media platforms. The younger generations, like Randy’s daughter Heidi Parton, are now carrying the torch, performing at Dollywood and ensuring the family’s Appalachian sound and storytelling tradition endures. The Parton siblings, both those in the spotlight and those who remain private, are a powerful reminder that behind every icon is a large, complex, and loving family unit.