Beloved Dolly Parton has passed on to join fellow legends like Whitney Houston in the forever beyond.
However, long ago, the country music star looked to her close pal’s funeral to decide what she would want sung at her own.
The “Coat of Many Colors” singer was confirmed dead at 80 in a statement by her family after a secret, brief battle with cancer.
More than a decade before her painful passing, the music icon had reflected on the kind of song she wanted played at her funeral.
In a 2014 interview, Parton dished on her choice, explaining that she believes many would expect her hit song, “I Will Always Love You,” to be her choice.
Reminiscing on Houston’s 2012 memorial service where the song was played, the country singer said, “When they picked her coffin up and started in on that song, I started to cry, and I thought, ‘Oh my Lord.’ That’s when it hit me that she was really gone.”
“I Will Always Love You,” written by Parton, took on a different spin when Houston recorded her version for “The Bodyguard,” becoming an instant classic.
Dolly Parton Once Revealed What She Wants Sung At Her Funeral
Nevertheless, Parton wanted something more sentimental for her burial. Opening up to Entertainment Weekly in 2014, she opted for the gospel song “If We Never Meet Again.” In her words:
“It’s an old country-gospel church song that talks about if we never meet again this side of heaven, I will meet you on that beautiful shore.”
Reciting a line about where roses bloom forever, Parton revealed it was sung at her father Lee Parton’s funeral in 2000.
“That was my daddy’s favorite,” she said. “We did sing it at his funeral, and I would like it to be sung at mine.”
The Famed Singer Planned Her Death Announcement Beforehand
Little did Parton know that 12 years after that interview, her own time would come, leaving the world in shock. As reported by The Blast, her death was confirmed by her nephew Bryan Seaver in an Instagram video.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” Seaver shared, explaining that Parton spoke to him about it long ago.
Although Parton’s loss was unbearable, her nephew noted that the family found comfort in her reunion with other loved ones.
“Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens,” he said.
Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed
More details were soon brought to light about the “Jolene” singer’s final moments.
It was no surprise that Parton battled health issues in the previous year, especially following the loss of her longtime husband, Carl Dean.
However, she remained silent on the nature of her illness until her demise. As confirmed by a rep of the legend, Parton took her last breath at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She was admitted four days before her death for kidney and autoimmune problems.
“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 statement read, per The Blast.
Inside Dolly Parton’s Final Interview
The timing of the icon’s passing has left fans even more heartbroken, as she still shared plans for her future in what has become her final interview.
As The Blast reported, just four days before her demise, Parton opened up about her challenges while admitting she was still putting in the work behind the scenes.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” she explained.
However, Parton, who was no stranger to overcoming health issues, assured her admirers she was pushing on.
“Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’! You know me, as I’ve often said, I’ve dreamed myself into a corner, and I still have so many things I want to achieve,” she said in what would be her last words to fans.
