Dolly Parton's family and loved ones continue to share more amid the loss of the music icon.
Parton's niece Rebecca Seaver – the daughter of Parton's younger sister Cassie, who founded the official Dolly Parton archive and is the executive director of Dolly's Life of Many Colors Museum – revealed she was driving her son cross-country to college when Parton died Aug. 25 at 80 from cancer.
"We have witnessed immaculate beauty on these highways, the kind that only shows itself when your heart is cracked wide open. We laughed, we cried, sometimes in the same breath, and we remembered the beautiful moments we shared with her on those same roads, years earlier," Seaver captioned a set of Instagram photos of herself and her son, Leroy, from the road trip.
"The grief and the gratitude rode together in that car, mile after mile, and somehow that was enough."
Seaver recalled "all the miles she put on I-40 through her life," referring to the highway that stretches from North Carolina through Tennessee and across the country to California.
"The road has always been her favorite place to be," she added. "We stopped at all her favorite road spots we could remember. What an incredible journey. Hers. Ours. His. How lucky we have all been to witness such brilliance, even now."
Seaver, addressing Leroy, added that as she heads home to Tennessee, she will have a "Grand Canyon in my heart but I know you'll have your guardian angel here by your side every step of the way."
Parton was an aunt to more than a dozen nieces and nephews, including her late niece Tever Louise Parton, who died in 2017 at age 36. Tevie was the daughter of Dolly's brother Randy and sister-in-law Deb.
In an earlier tribute, Seaver said the family's grief "is insurmountable."
"Today, I embark on a new journey: a life without my most trusted confidant. My best friend, my favorite adventurer, my name-giver, my godmother, my precious Aunt Granny," Seaver captioned a set of photos of her and Parton through the years, in a post Aug. 25. "She has always been the light, not just for those directly in her orbit but for the entire world. We all wanted to be better versions of ourselves for her sake, and I hope we all continue to do just that."
Miley Cyrus' sister Noah Cyrus pays tribute to Dolly Parton
Noah Cyrus, singer and sister to Miley Cyrus, also paid tribute after the death of Parton. The legendary singer was Cyrus' godmother and a longtime family friend of their parents, Tish and Billy Ray Cyrus.
Noah said she wanted to allow Miley to get the first word before sharing her own tribute.
"her impact on the world, and on me as an artist, is unparalleled. her beautiful relationship with my family, especially my sister, is one i will be grateful for my entire life," Noah Cyrus captioned a series of throwback photos of Parton, as well as a screen recording of Miley Cyrus and Parton's highly praised New Year's Eve Party performance in 2022. "i am so grateful to her for inspiring me to be who i am, wear those wigs, have those long nails, to write my stories, and to heal people through music."
She continued, "i am heartbroken she is gone, but only physically. she came into this world, shared her light, and changed it forever."
Dolly Parton cancer revealed, funeral plans shared
The beloved cultural icon and "Queen of Country" died surrounded by loved ones at a Nashville medical center after briefly battling cancer, her representatives confirmed to USA TODAY.
A private memorial service will be held for immediate family, according to Parton's representative. Fans who would like to pay tribute are encouraged to tag @DollyParton on socials or leave a message at dollyparton.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asked for donations to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library at imaginationlibrary.com.
In a video message to fans, Bryan Seaver, Parton's nephew, said Parton requested to be laid 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."
"May God bless Dolly Parton, and may God bless you all. She will always love you," he added.
Contributing: Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dolly Parton's niece retraces singer's favorite road spots after her death
