Willadeene Parton is the sister of American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman, Dolly Rebecca Parton. Willadeene’s sister Dolly is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. She is one of the most-honored female country performers of all time. With her success and acclaim, she has an overflow of nominations, accolades, and honors. Out of 50 nominations, she has received 11 Grammy Awards.
Willadeene Parton: Bio Summary
| Name | Willadeene Parton |
| Age | 83 years old as of 2023 |
| Date of birth | March 24, 1940 |
| Birthplace | Sevierville, Tennessee, USA |
| Famous as | sister of Dolly Parton |
| Nationality | American |
| Parents | Avie Lee Owens and Robert Lee Parton |
| Siblings | Stella, Randy, Dolly, Freida, Rachel, Robert Jr., Floyd, Larry, Coy, Cassie, David |
| Occupation | Poet, author |
Who Is Dolly Parton’s Sister, Willadeene?
Willadeene Parton was born on March 24, 1940, in Sevierville, Tennessee, United States. She is 83 years old as of 2023. She is the eldest of the 12 children of her parents. Her mother is Avie Lee Caroline (née Owens; 1923–2003) and her father is Robert Lee Parton Sr. (1921–2000). Her mother, Avie Lee, cared for their large family.
Willadeene Parton’s father who is known as “Lee” worked in the mountains of East Tennessee, first as a sharecropper and later tending his own small tobacco farm and acreage. He also did construction jobs to supplement the farm’s small income. Her maternal great-great-grandmother is Rebecca (Dunn) Whitted.
ALSO, READ; Avie Lee Owens: Cause Of Death, What Happened To Dolly Parton’s Mother
Willadeene’s maternal grandfather, Jake Owens, was a Pentecostal preacher. Willadeene didn’t come from a wealthy family. For several years, her family lived in their rustic, one-bedroom cabin on their small subsistence farm on Locust Ridge. Willadeene grew up alongside her 11 younger siblings.
As the eldest of twelve children, Willadeene had a lot of responsibilities growing up. Her mother was often in poor health so most of the time, Willadeene Parton took over and looked after her young siblings. She was a second mother to her siblings, who were in her care. However, her mother still managed to entertain her children.
ALSO READ: Freida Estelle Parton: Facts About Dolly Parton’s Sister
Willadeene’s siblings are Dolly Parton, Stella Parton, Randy Parton, Rachel Dennison, Robert Lee Parton Jr., twins Floyd Estel Parton and Freida Estelle Parton, Larry Gerald Parton, Coy Denver Parton, Cassie Nan Parton, and David Wilburn Parton. Growing up, Willadeene had a passion for music just like most of her siblings. Her sister Dolly has given credit to their mom for her musical abilities.
Willadeene Parton and her sisters Stella, and Cassie had formed a group who sang gospel music and made commercials around East Tennessee. They had recorded a gospel album. Willadeene chose to switch lanes, from music to becoming an author. Willadeene chose to work as a poet and author at a later stage in her life.
Willadeene Parton has penned books about her family. She has published books including two family memoirs, “In the Shadow of a Song: The Story of the Parton Family” and “Smoky Mountain Memories: Stories from the Hearts of the Parton Family“. The books tell stories of the Parton family’s upbringing.
Willadeene Parton published a cookbook, ‘All-Day Singing and Dinner on the Ground’, which is made up of recipes and memories Willadeene and her siblings experienced while growing up. Willadeene has appeared as herself in The Oprah Winfrey Show, Prime Time Country, and Dolly. She has kept her life private and away from publicity and much attention.
ALSO READ: Avie Lee Owens: Cause Of Death, What Happened To Dolly Parton’s Mother
Willadeene Got Married At Age 17
Willadeene Parton used to be married but she is a divorcee. Per a source, she married Arthur Blalock in April 1957. Willadeene got married at a young age, 17. She and Arthur are parents of a son. Their son Mitchell Blalock was born in March 1962. Unfortunately, Willadeene and Arthur’s marriage has failed. They are no longer married as they have divorced. After she divorced Arthur, it is unknown if she remarried or got involved in other relationships. She has kept her love life in the dark.
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