Dolly Parton Loses a Close Family Member as Sister Stella Shares a Heartfelt Statement

Country music superstar and actress Dolly Parton is grieving a painful loss in her family, as loved ones mourn the passing of someone close to the singer.

The family’s first public response came through Dolly’s sister, Stella Parton, who shared a heartfelt message. Dolly herself has not yet commented publicly.

In a statement to People, Stella thanked supporters for their condolences as the family mourned the loss.

“My brother Denver was a deeply private person,” she said. She added, “I appreciate the kind messages and expressions of condolences on behalf of my nieces Chris and Jennifer, and the rest of my family.”

The family member Stella referred to was Coy “Denver” Parton, who died at age 82 on July 23, 2026, according to Atchley Funeral Home.

Unlike his famous sisters, Denver largely stayed out of the public eye. According to his obituary, he worked as a crane operator for many years, helping construct bridges, and also enjoyed homestead farming and hunting. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Parton.

Denver is survived by his daughters, Chris and Jennifer; his grandson, Ian; and several siblings, including Bobby, Willadeene, Dolly, Stella, Cassie, Freida, Rachel, and Laura.

Private services will be held, with arrangements entrusted to Atchley Funeral Home in Sevierville.

Denver’s Death Follows Other Losses in the Parton Family

Fox News reported that one of the family’s earliest tragedies came in 1955, when Dolly’s infant brother, Larry, died just four days after his birth. Dolly was 9 years old at the time.

An obituary published by the same funeral home stated that Dolly’s father, Robert Lee Parton, died in 2000 at the age of 79. Three years later, her mother, Avie Lee, died at age 80, as listed on her Find a Grave memorial page.

The family suffered another loss in 2018 when Floyd died at age 61. E! News, citing his obituary, reported that Floyd was a songwriter who penned “Rockin’ Years,” the hit duet recorded by Dolly and Ricky Van Shelton, along with other songs performed by his sister.

In 2021, Dolly publicly mourned the death of her brother Randy, who died after battling cancer. In a statement shared on her Facebook page, she said the family found comfort in their faith and believed Randy had been reunited with loved ones who had gone before him.

Dolly also reflected on Randy’s music career, noting that he had performed with her band for many years and headlined his own show at Dollywood. She said one of her favorite memories was recording music with him, including what became his final recording on her Christmas album.

The losses continued in November 2024 with the death of another brother, David, at age 82. His obituary, published by Farrar Funeral Home, says he retired as a bridge-building superintendent after working on construction projects across eastern Tennessee.

Another Personal Loss for Dolly Parton

Dolly’s husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, died at the age of 82 in Nashville on March 3, 2025.

In her emotional statement on Instagram, Dolly reflected on their decades together, “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”

Carl, known for his low-key nature despite his wife’s worldwide fame, was laid to rest in a private ceremony attended only by immediate family. He was survived by Dolly and his siblings, Sandra and Donnie.

The family did not share Carl’s cause of death and requested privacy during the difficult time as they grieved the loss of a man who had remained a steadfast presence in Parton’s life since their wedding in 1966.

The couple met two years earlier in Nashville. Dolly crossed paths with Carl on her very first day in town. She had just arrived in Nashville to stay with her Uncle Bill, who had moved there two weeks earlier.

While helping out by babysitting his son, she took a trip to a local laundromat, the Wishy‐Washy, to wash the clothes she had brought with her. As she walked down the street, taking in her new surroundings, a man called out to her.

Coming from a small town, she was used to greeting everyone, and so, she waved back. That man turned out to be Carl.

The singer was 18 when they met, and Carl was 21. “I was surprised and delighted that while he talked to me, he looked at my face (a rare thing for me). He seemed to be genuinely interested in finding out who I was and what I was about,” noted Dolly.

Although they had a friendly exchange, Dolly Parton initially refused to go out with him, sticking to the lessons she had been taught about safety. Instead, she invited him to visit her uncle’s house while she babysat.

He took her up on the offer and came by every day that week, spending time with her on the porch. She didn’t even allow him inside the house.

Eventually, when her aunt had a day off and could watch the baby, she finally agreed to go somewhere with Carl. “He drove me straight to his folks’ house and introduced me to his mother and daddy. Cause he said he knew right the minute he saw me that that’s the one he wanted,” Dolly gushed.

They got married on Memorial Day 1966 in Ringgold, Georgia, when Dolly was 20, and Carl was 23. The small and private ceremony was attended by Parton’s mother, Avie Lee Parton, the preacher of the ceremony, and his wife.

Over the years, Dolly has spoken about her marriage to Carl, including how it lasted decades. She credited the success of her long-lasting marriage to the differences between her and Carl, noting that their opposite personalities kept things exciting.

Dolly described Carl as a loner, a trait that made their marriage work despite her demanding career. Their home was always bustling, with five of her younger siblings living with them, creating an atmosphere she likened to a busy depot.

Given his loner trait, Carl didn’t mind when she traveled for work, especially since she often took most of the kids with her. Their arrangement suited them both as she thrived on being on the move, and he appreciated the space. The time apart only added to the excitement whenever they reunited.

Furthermore, due to his love for privacy, people speculated that Dolly’s husband was imaginary. She addressed this long-standing speculation, attributing the rumors to his deliberate avoidance of the spotlight.

She explained that Carl preferred a quiet, private life and had no interest in public attention. According to her, he knew that stepping into the public eye would mean sacrificing his peace, and he had no desire for that kind of scrutiny.

“I’ve always respected and appreciated that in him and I’ve always tried to keep him out of the limelight as much as I can. He said, ‘I didn’t choose this world, I chose you, and you chose that world. But we can keep our lives separate and together.’ And we do and we have,” Dolly explained.

The “Let It Be” crooner also described Carl as a kind and dependable man who constantly surprised her, making their relationship both fun and enduring. “He’s a deep person, but he has a great and warped sense of humor. He makes me laugh and entertains me. He’s very secure within himself,” shared Dolly.

The “Wildflowers” singer also divulged what she and Carl loved to do for fun. The pair enjoyed simple pleasures together, often taking short trips in their RV where they could relax and unwind. Dolly loved reading, cooking, and spending quiet time with her husband, embracing a laid-back routine.

While Carl preferred staying close to home, appreciating his independence, Dolly was the opposite, as she’s always eager to explore and stay busy. Their differences, she noted, balanced their relationship and contributed to its lasting strength.

“But when we’re together, we have enough things in common that it works. We love the simple life. We can be calm and just have a good time,” she revealed.

Unlike many in the music industry, Dolly always kept her marriage separate from her career. She hadn’t planned on getting married or meeting someone special, but love had other plans. From the start, Carl recognized that music was her calling, something she had been determined to pursue since childhood.

No matter the circumstances, she was committed to making it in Nashville. While she acknowledged that she could step away from music if Carl ever needed her due to illness, it was a decision she would make on her own, not because someone pressured her to quit.

Throughout their marriage, he never asked her to give up her career, allowing her to chase her dreams without interference. Dolly said, “He’s proud of me, but he’s not necessarily a fan. He don’t particularly like to hear me sing.”