Dolly Parton’s closest family members have gathered on the Nashville cemetery the place the nation music legend is about to be laid to relaxation beside her husband of 58 years, Carl Dean. A few dozen kinfolk reportedly arrived at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum on Friday morning carrying flowers, simply three days after Parton died at age 80. The non-public gathering appeared to meet the singer’s request for an intimate farewell surrounded solely by fast household. Nonetheless, it stays unclear whether or not the gathering was Parton’s official funeral or one other non-public memorial forward of her burial.
Unique images obtained by Page Six confirmed Parton’s somber kinfolk arriving at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum on Friday. Amongst these noticed on the cemetery was Bryan Seaver, Parton’s nephew and longtime head of safety. Seaver, who introduced her dying on behalf of the household, reportedly coordinated with police and safety personnel earlier than greeting kinfolk as they arrived.
One insider claimed that the cemetery was “crawling with cops” shortly earlier than the household appeared. An officer on the scene reportedly mentioned, “The household is en route.” Seaver gave the impression to be “in cost” of the non-public gathering, in response to the outlet.
Whereas Web page Six couldn’t initially affirm whether or not the funeral had taken place, Parton’s consultant beforehand revealed that the singer needed a “small and personal service” attended by “fast household.”
The Nation Legend Will Relaxation Beside Her Husband, Carl Dean
Parton will probably be laid to relaxation beside Dean, who died in March 2025 at age 82. The couple had been married for 58 years. Parton’s title had already been inscribed on the bronze frontispiece of their tomb by Wednesday. The memorial reportedly depicts a peaceable mountain panorama impressed by the couple’s Tennessee roots.
The couple met outdoors the Wishy Washy Laundromat shortly after an 18-year-old Parton moved to Nashville. They married in 1966 and remained collectively till Dean’s dying almost six a long time later.
Woodlawn Memorial Park can also be the ultimate resting place of Dean’s dad and mom and several other celebrated figures in nation music. Parton’s former collaborator Porter Wagoner and her longtime good friend Tammy Wynette are buried there as nicely.
Dolly Parton Made Particular Plans For Her Last Resting Place
Parton reportedly deliberate to be buried in a cotton gown and her signature stilettos, permitting her trademark glamour to stay a part of her last look whereas prioritizing consolation. “Dolly referred to as me and mentioned she desires to relaxation in an exquisite mattress of plush cotton as a result of, after a life carrying heavy rhinestones, she lastly deserves to be snug and have some relaxation,” Seaver mentioned partly whereas asserting her dying.
The singer additionally revealed years earlier that she needed the country-gospel track “If We By no means Meet Once more” carried out at her funeral. “[The song] talks about, ‘If we by no means meet once more this aspect of heaven, I’ll meet you on that stunning shore, the place the charming roses bloom without end and the place separation come no extra,’” Parton mentioned during a May 2014 interview.
She defined that the hymn was her father’s “favourite” and had additionally been carried out at his funeral.
Dolly Parton Opened Up About Her Declining Well being
Parton died on August 25 following what her household described as a “transient battle” with unspecified most cancers. Simply 4 days earlier, the “Jolene” singer spoke candidly about her declining well being and acknowledged that she had uncared for a few of her personal wants whereas caring for Dean.
“As I’ve shared in video messages all through the previous 12 months, I’m coping with some well being points that I simply didn’t take note of once I was watching over Carl,” she instructed PEOPLE.
Parton additionally mirrored on the intense well being issues she had overcome earlier in her life. “You already know, this isn’t the primary time I’ve needed to handle one thing like this,” she continued. “Again within the early ’80s, I used to be down for a number of months with feminine points, and I used to be combating my weight on the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been by onerous occasions with my well being.”
Dolly Parton’s Household Asks Followers To Honor Her Literacy Legacy
Moderately than sending flowers, Parton’s household has inspired followers to donate to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the free book-gifting program she based in 1995.
Parton created the initiative by The Dollywood Basis after witnessing how her father, Robert Lee Parton, was affected by his incapability to learn or write. Though she thought-about him one of many smartest folks she knew, she understood that illiteracy had restricted his confidence and alternatives.
This system started by mailing books to preschool youngsters in Sevier County, Tennessee, no matter their households’ earnings. It later expanded internationally and now sends free, age-appropriate books to youngsters from beginning by age 5 throughout 5 international locations.
