Dolly Parton has been laid to rest.
The country music icon died aged 80 on Aug 25 after a “brief battle with cancer”, and three days later, her family gathered for an intimate funeral at Nashville’s Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum, where she rests beside her husband Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 aged 82.
Taking to Instagram on Saturday (Aug 29), Dolly’s niece Lainey Parton confirmed that the Jolene hitmaker had been laid to rest in a heartfelt tribute to the star.
She posted a series of sweet shots of the pair over the years, with the caption: “This is a really hard post for me to make. I wanted to wait until after my granny was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put any of this into words.
“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.
“Most people can think of at least one bad memory with everyone in their family. I honestly can’t think of one with her. 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.”
Parton recalled a particularly special moment with Dolly.
She continued: “One memory I’ll always hold on to is when she asked me to sing with her on her @smokymountaindna album. I was a freshman in high school and so nervous.
“But she had a way of making me feel like nothing bad could happen. She made me feel safe, confident, and like I belonged right there beside her.”
Parton went on: “As I got older, she continued to believe in me.
“When I told her I wanted to go to beauty school, she never questioned why I wasn’t going to college. She told me she couldn’t see me doing anything else. She financially supported me through school and helped me get my career started.
“She didn’t just tell me to chase my dreams, she helped me get there.
“I’m so thankful I said yes to the opportunities and memories I got to share with her as my Aunt Dolly, including being in a movie with her. I’m so glad I have those moments to look back on now. I have things I can watch, hear, and hold on to when I miss her.”
She added that it “still doesn’t feel real” that Dolly has passed away.
I’m going to miss her voice, her laugh, her hugs and just knowing she was there. I’m even going to miss those 4am calls, and I’d give anything to see her name pop up on my phone again,” Parton wrote.
She concluded by thanking everyone for their love and support, while expressing how lucky she felt to have Dolly in her life.
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out, sent messages, flowers to my house or done any of the little things to show me love. I’ve noticed every single one and they’ve meant more than you know.
“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.”
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