Dolly Parton laid to rest alongside husband in Nashville
A private family funeral is held for the singer who died on Tuesday at the age of 80.
Dolly Parton, the beloved music icon, has been laid to rest in Nashville, her great-niece confirmed. The legendary singer, who passed away earlier in the week at the age of 80, was interred next to her late husband, Carl Dean, at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in the Tennessee city after a private family funeral on Friday.
Lainey Parton shared a heartfelt tribute the day after the burial, expressing her grief: "It still doesn't feel real that she's gone. I'm going to miss her voice, her laugh, her hugs, and just knowing she was there." Referring to Parton as "granny," Lainey wrote, "Because she couldn't have kids of her own, she always made us feel like we were hers. She loved us that way, and I'll forever be grateful for that."
Lainey recalled, "From the time I was little, my granny always had a way of making me feel like I was enough. She never made my dreams feel too big or made me feel like I couldn't do something. She believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself." She also highlighted Parton's support during her beauty school education, stating, "She didn't just tell me to chase my dreams, she helped me get there." Lainey extended her gratitude to those who sent messages and flowers, concluding, "I feel incredibly lucky that I got to call her my granny. Thank you for always believing in me, loving me, and making me feel like I could do anything. I love you, Granny. Always."
Tribute concerts and vigils have been held across the US, including Seattle, where a tribute was placed honoring Parton's "legacy of love, kindness, and resilience." The tribute noted her "seven-decade career" that "inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place." The family has requested donations to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, her initiative to provide free books to young children, in lieu of flowers. NewsChannel 5 reporter Amelia Young shared photos of floral tributes in Nashville.
On Saturday, a tribute concert took place at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House, the renowned home of country music. Parton's niece, Jada Star, performed her song "The Orchard," which she recorded with her aunt in 2024 for the album *Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables*. Prior to her performance, Star posted, "I am walking around in a fog of sadness, like all of you have. I do not take this honor lightly," accompanied by a broken heart emoji.
The event's finale featured a surprise appearance by country superstar Jelly Roll, who joined a group performance of Parton's "9 to 5." Other participants included Carly Pearce, a Grammy-winning singer who began her career performing at Parton's Dollywood theme park.
In other tributes, Tennessee's governor has announced plans to rename Nashville International Airport after Parton. Meanwhile, in the UK, Parton's "9 to 5" is currently on track to be the number one single this week, according to the Official Chart Company, following a surge in streams after her death. However, streaming numbers have begun to decline, which may affect its final chart position when announced on Friday.