Here's Why Dolly's Cancer Was Kept Hush-Hush

Dolly Parton's sister says even within the tight-knit Parton clan, word of the country icon's cancer stayed closely guarded. In a new CBS Mornings interview with Gayle King, Stella Parton, 77, said only some relatives knew that Dolly was sick before her Aug. 25 death at age 80 in Nashville. Only "the ones of us that were closer" were told, Stella said. "She did not want people sad," she continued of her sister, adding that she "could not bear negative things" and never wanted supporters to worry.

The family has not disclosed the type of cancer or how long Dolly had it. She was laid to rest in a small, private service on Aug. 29 that cousin and former collaborator Richie Owens described as a "burial" rather than a funeral, with only a few relatives present, per USA Today. Owens said the low-key goodbye reflected Dolly's wishes and her focus on philanthropy: she preferred fans skip flowers and instead support her charities, including her Imagination Library, which sends free books to young children. "Her optimism is what I'm gonna miss the most," said Stella Parton, adding that the last thing her sister asked of her was "prayer."