Porter Wagoner's Last Minutes With Dolly Parton

During Porter Wagoner's final hours, his good friend Dolly Parton sang forhim, was there with his family and prayed for him, according to Opry.com.

Parton said that a part of her died along with Wagoner.

The man who launched her career was given a fitting send off by the femalecountry legend, who spent his final few hours with him before he succumbedto lung cancer Sunday. "It felt good to be able to say goodbye properly,"said Parton on the Opry website.

The 80-year-old Grand Ole Opry sensation was transferred to a Nashvillehospice from a hospital on Friday. "Part of him will always live throughme and my music, as he was my first big break," Parton said on Monday.

The Grand Ole Opry announced Monday that funeral arrangements would beopen to the public. Visitation will be Wednesday at a local funeral home,with a funeral on Thursday at the Grand Ole Opry House.

Marty Stuart, who produced Wagoner's last album "Wagonmaster," stated thatWagoner had been invited to light the nation's Christmas tree at thePageant of Peace celebration in Washington, D.C. next month. "One of thelast things he said to me was, 'You're gonna have to call the presidentand tell him I won't be able to sing him any Christmas songs this year. Maybe next year.'"