Dolly Parton Told Family She Wanted to Rest After a Lifetime of Wearing ‘Heavy Rhinestones’
On Aug. 25, Dolly Parton’s family announced that she had died at the age of 80. The country superstar had a career that spanned decades. She was known for her music, acting, and sense of style. In the announcement, her nephew said that Parton told him she was ready for rest after a lifetime of wearing rhinestones.
Dolly Parton’s family member announced her death
On Aug. 25, Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced that the singer died. She was dealing with health issues in the months before her death.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he said in a video posted to Instagram. “This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality.”
Seaver said he felt honored to be the one announcing his aunt’s death.
“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 to meet her in the heavens.”
Dolly Parton told family that she wanted to rest
In the video announcement, Seaver spoke about Parton’s impressive legacy. She did a lot to support her family and other artists.
“I first went on the road with Dolly as a kid, getting a taste of the road life in the early 1980s,” he said. “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 is possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history.”
Parton began her music career as a child, and she continued to work relentlessly hard for decades. Seaver said that before her death, she told him that she looked forward to getting some rest.
“Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest,” he said. “Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly — Aunt, Granny, Gigi. May God bless Dolly Parton, and may God bless you all. She will always love you.”
