Dolly Parton’s loved ones will gather to say goodbye.
“At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family," the family said in a social media post.
"Dolly’s fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging @DollyParton or by leaving a message atdollyparton.com.”
The family has also asked in lieu of flowers, people can “make donations to the Imagination Library at imaginationlibrary.com.”
Details about public gatherings haven't been released.
Remembrances have poured in from across the world after Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, delivered the announcement in a video posted to social media.
Seaver did not announce a cause of death, although Parton had previously suffered
with health issues.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” Seaver said.
“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.”
“It is an honor. An honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness,” he said. “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.”
Parton is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Carl Thomas Dean (1942–2025), her mother Avie Lee Caroline Owens (1923–2003), and father, Robert Lee Parton, Sr. (1921–2000).
Audrey Gibbs is a music journalist at The Tennessean. You can reach her at agibbs@tennessean.com.
Gabrielle Chenault is a reporter at The Tennessean. You can reach her at gchenault@tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dolly Parton's family shares updates after her death, service info
