Dolly Parton, Country Music Legend, Dies at 80
Dolly Parton, the country music giant whose songs, Christian faith and generosity reached far beyond Nashville, died Tuesday in Nashville, her family announced. She was 80.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, disclosed the death in an Instagram video. No cause was announced. Parton had spoken about ongoing health problems.
Seaver identified her as “Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,” his aunt, known in the family as Sister, Sis, Granny and Gigi. He said Parton had asked him years ago to make the announcement. Seaver served as her head of security for more than two decades.
“Sadness lies with us, not with Dolly,” Seaver said. “Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus,” where he said she would be met by her husband, Carl Dean, her parents and others who died before her.
Fans often spoke of Parton’s kindness as much as her music. Canadian fan Tyneal Buchanan, who traveled to Nashville for Parton’s 80th birthday in January, told WTVF she had loved Parton all her life.
“I just think she’s an incredible human,” Buchanan said. “She’s so caring and giving, and kind, talented.”
In a previous Metro Voice story, Parton had stated, “faith impacts everything I do.”
Parton, one of 12 children raised in rural East Tennessee, began singing in the Pentecostal church where her grandfather preached. She went on to write an estimated 3,000 songs, including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You.” She sold more than 100 million records and won 11 Grammy Awards.
Seaver said Parton “opened doors” for her family and generations of dreamers. Then he shared one last detail. After a lifetime in heavy rhinestones, Parton told him she wanted to rest in “a beautiful bed of plush cotton.”
“Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly,” he said. “She will always love you.”
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–Lee Hartman
