Dolly Parton, Country Music Legend, Dies at 80

Dolly Parton, one of the most believed figures in the history of Country music, has passed away. The devastating news broke on Tuesday, August 25 through a video message shared across Parton’s social media pages by her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver.

The message began with Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, sharing that he is speaking on behalf of the Parton’s and Owens family to announce the passing of his Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, “sister, sis, Aunt, Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next.” He explains that recording this video is something that the country music legend asked him to do years ago before he had “fully absorbed it as a future reality.”

“As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment, but haven’t truly felt it until now,” he admits. “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness, but sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens.”

Seaver recalls first joining Dolly out on the road as a kid in the early 1980s and going on to see all the doors that she would open for her and the entire family throughout her career. But it wasn’t just her own family and loved ones that Dolly impacted, it was generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers across the world who looked up to her.

“By her example, we believed that anything was possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open and the door she opened made and changed history. My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you. She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD, and on your phone playlist, becoming an extended part of your family, whether you liked it or not. Our family and the team she has entrusted with her legacy will work diligently to ensure her spirit will live with us forever. 

He continued, “Dolly was a farmer, just like her daddy. He farmed the soil, she farmed songs and happiness. Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest. Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly, aunt Granny, Gigi. May God bless Dolly Parton and may God bless you all. She will always love you.”