Dolly Parton, who recently passed away at the age of 80, had expressed a heartfelt wish to be laid to rest in a “beautiful bed of plush cotton.”
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, who also served as her head of security, shared this request in an emotional Instagram video announcing her death on Tuesday. He remarked, “After a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”
While announcing her passing, Seaver conveyed a mix of pride and sadness, assuring viewers that Dolly was now reunited with her late husband, Carl Dean, as well as her parents, Avie Lee Caroline and Robert Lee Parton Sr., along with many others who admired her from beyond.
“Sadness lies with us, not with Dolly,” he stated, emphasizing that while they grieve, she has found peace.
Seaver praised Parton’s remarkable legacy, noting how she “opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians, and dreamers from every walk of life, and across every continent.” He added, “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.”
He concluded with a promise that he and his family would “work diligently to ensure her spirit will live with us forever,” signing off with a heartfelt “Rest in peace Aunt Dolly, Aunt Granny, Gigi. May God bless Dolly Parton and may God bless you all. She will always love you.”
Dolly’s representatives confirmed her death, stating, “A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family.”
Reports indicated that Parton had been hospitalized due to “kidney and autoimmune issues” at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center just days before her death.
Her passing coincided with a previous health update where she shared that she hadn’t been focusing on her own health issues while caring for her husband, who died in March 2025.
Dolly was also scheduled to appear at her theme park, Dollywood, on August 14, but a doctor advised against travel due to health concerns. In a pre-recorded message, she expressed disappointment about missing the event, saying, “I’ve told you before… I have had a few little health issues. And sometimes I get a little dizzy, and I get dehydrated.”
Despite various health setbacks since September 2025, including pulling out of a Dollywood event due to an infection, she reassured fans that her conditions were treatable. In a video, Parton conveyed gratitude for their support and reassured them, “I will always love you.”
Her last public appearance took place during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop in late June.
