The American singing legend Dolly Parton has been laid to rest at the side of her husband, Carl Thomas Dean. According to reports, the late singer’s family gathered for a private funeral at Nashville’s Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum, where the legendary personality was laid to rest alongside her husband, who passed away in March 2025 at the age of 82.
On Saturday, August 29, 2026, Dolly’s niece, Lainey Parton, revealed details about the private funeral at which the singer was laid to rest in a heartfelt tribute featuring unseen pictures of Dolly. Along with the pictures, Lainey penned a big note expressing her feelings.
In her post, Lainey shared her emotional reflections: “This is a really hard post for me to make. I wanted to wait until after my granny was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put any of this into words.”
Reflecting on how Dolly always encouraged her, Lainey said, “From the time I was little, my granny always had a way of making me feel like I was enough. She never made my dreams feel too big or made me feel like I couldn’t do something. She believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself. Most people can think of at least one bad memory with everyone in their family. I honestly can’t think of one with her. Because she couldn’t have kids of her own, she always made us feel like we were hers. She loved us that way, and I’ll forever be grateful for that.”
Speaking of the memory she holds close, she said, “One memory I’ll always hold onto is when she asked me to sing with her on her @smokymountaindna album. I was a freshman in high school and SO nervous. But she had a way of making me feel like nothing bad could happen. She made me feel safe, confident, and like I belonged right there beside her.”
Lainey penned how Dolly has always been there for her and said, “As I got older, she continued to believe in me. When I told her I wanted to go to beauty school, she never questioned why I wasn’t going to college. She told me she couldn’t see me doing anything else. She financially supported me through school and helped me get my career started. She didn’t just tell me to chase my dreams; she helped me get there.”
Expressing her gratitude, she said, “I’m so thankful I said yes to the opportunities and memories I got to share with her as my Aunt Dolly, including being in a movie with her. I’m so glad I have those moments to look back on now. I have things I can watch, hear, and hold onto when I miss her.”
Sharing how much she misses her, Lainey said, “It still doesn’t feel real that she’s gone. I’m going to miss her voice, her laugh, her hugs, and just knowing she was there. I’m even going to miss those 4 AM calls, and I’d give anything to see her name pop up on my phone again.”
Extending her warm gratitude for everyone who extended their condolences, she said, “Thank you to everyone who has reached out, sent messages, flowers to my house, or done any of the little things to show me love. I’ve noticed every single one, and they’ve meant more than you know. I feel incredibly lucky that I got to call her my granny. Thank you for always believing in me, loving me, and making me feel like I could do anything. I love you, Granny. Always.”
The legendary American singer Dolly Parton died after battling illness on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. She was 80 years old at the time of her death.
