Dolly Parton, the country music legend whose career spanned more than six decades, has died at 80, her family announced Aug. 25.
Parton's nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in a video posted to the singer's social media accounts. Seaver, who has served as Parton's head of security for more than two decades, said Parton asked him years ago to make the announcement when the time came.
"It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness," Seaver said. "But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly."
Seaver remembered his aunt as a beloved member of his family and as an artist who opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers.
"She never saw a door she couldn't open, and the doors she opened
made and changed history," he said.
Read the full announcement from Dolly Parton's family
Here is the full transcript of Seaver's announcement, as posted to Parton's social media:
"Hey everyone, my name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, sister, sis, Aunt Granny to one generation, and Gigi to the next.
This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I 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.
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.
I first went on the road with Dolly as a kid, getting a taste for the road life in the early 1980s. Dolly opened doors, not just for me, but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn't even know was possible.
Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life, and across every continent. By her example, we believed that anything was possible. She never saw a door she couldn't open, and the doors 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.
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. My God bless Dolly Parton, and may God bless you all. She will always love you."
Dolly Parton's recent health struggles
Parton faced health problems in recent months, and she reduced some of her public appearances.
In May, the "9 to 5" singer canceled a series of Las Vegas concerts and said she had been dealing with multiple medical issues, including kidney stones. She also said her immune and digestive systems had been affected over the previous three years and that doctors were working to rebuild and strengthen them.
In August, Parton missed the planned opening of Dollywood's NightFlight Expedition ride and appeared in a prerecorded video instead. She said she was experiencing dizziness and dehydration and that her Nashville doctor had advised her not to travel.
Parton also made a public appearance in June at the opening of her Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tennessee, but had been seen less frequently in recent months.
Contributing: USA TODAY reporter Taijuan Moorman
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dolly Parton's nephew announced her death. Read his words in full
