Carl Dean's niece is now handling his estate, following the death of his wife, country icon Dolly Parton.
Dea Chaffin Cunningham Williams was named petitioner of Dean's estate in early October, over a month after Parton's Aug. 25 death, according to Williamson County court records obtained by USA TODAY. TMZ first reported the news.
Dean's will named Parton as executor, but she had not completed administering his estate before her own death, according to the documents. Williams was named as backup.
Dean died in March 2025, at 82, while Parton died in August at 80. The couple were married for nearly 60 years, and had no children.
Dean's 2013 will says if Parton did not survive him or declined certain property, that property would be divided between
five of Dean's nieces and nephews and 14 of Parton's nieces and nephews. The will also directed the remainder of his estate to the Carl Thomas Dean Trust.
According to a July status report, some assets had already been distributed prior to Parton's death.
Parton had 11 siblings: Her older siblings were Willadeene, David and Coy, while her younger siblings were Bobby (Robert Jr.), Stella, Cassie, Randy, Larry, Floyd and twin sisters Freida and Rachel. Larry, David, Coy, Floyd and Randy Parton preceded her in death.
In addition to over a dozen nieces and nephews, Parton had dozens of grand‑nieces and grand‑nephews.
In a CBS Mornings interview aired Sept. 10, Stella Parton described Parton's marriage to the fervently private businessman as "very unique and very deep and loyal."
"I think it broke her heart to see him in the shape he got to before he passed away," she said. "But I don't think that’s what made her sick. I think my sister worked so hard for so long and just kept going. Even in my last conversation with her, she was working. That was her passion."
Contributing: Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dolly Parton's niece now handling Carl Dean's estate
