Wynonna and Ashley Judd Pay Tribute to Dolly Parton: "She Showed Up for Me in a Way I'll Never Forget"

Wynonna Judd penned an emotional tribute to Dolly Parton, recalling how she was there for her when Naomi Judd died. On Tuesday, August 25, the "Kentucky Queen" singer shared an Instagram post honoring her late friend who died yesterday at the age of 80, recalling how Parton was there for her when her mother died by suicide in April 2022.

"To imagine a world without @dollyparton is almost unthinkable," Wynonna, 62, began the post. "The mark she left on music, our culture, and the human spirit is greater than any of us could ever hope to leave behind." She added, "When Mom passed, Dolly showed up for me in a way I'll never forget. That's who she was. She showed up. She was family. She was a light in my life and in the lives of millions of people who may never have had the privilege of knowing her personally, but somehow felt like they did."

"There will never be another Dolly. I will miss my friend more than words can say. From one mountain woman to another, I will always love you," Wynonna concluded. Alongside her heartfelt words, she shared throwback photos of Dolly, Wynonna, and Naomi holding up matching quilts, laughing together, and on a red carpet.

Ashley Judd's Tribute

Wynonna's half-sister Ashley Judd also shared an Instagram post on Wednesday, August 26, honoring the late country music icon. The Double Jeopardy actress recalled falling asleep at her first concert in her mother Naomi's lap at 8 years old on a "school night." "She rarely took me anywhere, but this was a life event for all of us," Ashley, 58, wrote, explaining that her mother somehow "found the money" to bring her and Wynonna to Oakland, California, where she heard Parton's voice for the first time.

The Someone Like You star recalled how she "jolted upright from my mother's lap like a saved sinner in a tent revival" when she heard the "Jolene" singer's voice. "That was the first thing I learned about Aunt Dolly: Her voice revived. The second thing I learned? Dolly Parton was smart. Her vocal genius was matched by her extraordinary songwriting, which was the actual source of her fortune. She knew singers got cheated by record labels, but if she wrote her own music, she would keep the money from songwriting royalties," Ashley wrote.

A Legacy of Generosity

She then praised the 11-time Grammy winner for using the "good, smart money she made" to donate books to children who had grown up in poverty. "After that concert, I learned the lyrics to every song on the album and would dance, dance, dance, playing it front to back and back to front. I'd call my little friend in California, whom I missed, and we would play the record through the telephone and 'dance' together," said Ashley.

She then recalled that for her parents' wedding, Parton "had a double wedding ring quilt made for them." "Aunt Dolly, my mother loved and revered you. She idolized you. She was smitten that your birthdays were so close (11 and 19 January 1946). Thank you for being true to yourself, witty, brilliant, and, oh my God, so punctual!" Ashley wrote.

She called Parton a "professional's professional." "You made everybody around you kinder and better as we were dazzled and mesmerized. Rest in peace, sweet Smoky Mountain woman, in the bosom [of] your Creator," Ashley concluded.

She then shared a series of photos and videos with Parton, Wynonna, and Naomi, including one video of herself telling a "legendary" story of the "Here You Come Again" performer and how she had memorized the entire 9 to 5 screenplay for the read-through of the film.

A Family's Enduring Connection

The Judd family's connection to Parton ran deep. Naomi and Wynonna Judd, the mother-daughter duo known as The Judds, had a long-standing friendship and mutual admiration with Parton. The three women shared a bond that extended beyond the stage, rooted in their shared Appalachian heritage and their love of country music.

Parton's support for the Judd family was particularly profound following Naomi's tragic death. Her presence during that difficult time was a testament to her character and her commitment to those she considered family. Wynonna's tribute highlighted this, emphasizing that Parton was not just a friend but a source of strength and comfort.

The Official Statement

PEOPLE confirmed in a statement from Parton's reps that the actress and philanthropist died after a "brief battle with cancer." The type of cancer was not disclosed. "Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope, and integrity into everything she touched," the statement began. "Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand."

It concluded, "Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly's unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, surrounded by loved ones."

The tributes from the Judd sisters are just two of the many heartfelt messages pouring in from fans, friends, and fellow artists around the world. Parton's impact on music, philanthropy, and popular culture is immeasurable. She was a trailblazer, a storyteller, and a beacon of kindness and resilience. Her music will continue to inspire generations to come, and her legacy of generosity will endure through the countless lives she touched.

As Wynonna Judd so eloquently put it, "There will never be another Dolly." And while her absence leaves an irreplaceable void, her spirit lives on in the hearts of those who loved her and in the art she left behind.