Dolly Parton laid to rest in private family ceremony

Dolly Parton’s final farewell took place away from the public eye. Close family members attended a private ceremony on Aug. 28, three days after the country music legend died at age 80.

The intimate service was followed by an emotional tribute from Lainey Parton, the child of Parton’s niece. Sharing photographs of the two together on social media, Lainey described a relative who consistently made her feel valued and capable.

“She always found a way to make me feel like I was enough,” Lainey wrote. She said Parton never made her feel that her dreams were too ambitious, and believed in her before she learned to believe in herself. She added that Parton, who did not have children of her own, made family members feel as though they were her children.

“

She always found a way to make me feel like I was enough. She never made me feel that my dreams were too big or that I could not do something. She believed in me before I knew how to believe in myself.

Lainey also wrote about the everyday absences that would follow Parton’s death. “I will miss her voice, her laughter, her hugs and just knowing she was there,” she said, adding that she would even miss the early-morning phone calls. She said she would give anything to see Parton’s name appear on her phone again.

Parton’s death was announced publicly on Aug. 25 by her nephew Bryan Seaver. Her representatives confirmed that she had died after battling cancer. Beyond her music career, Parton was known for founding the Imagination Library and providing financial support for vaccine research. She was buried in Nashville beside her husband of 60 years, Carl Dean.

“

I will miss her voice, her laughter, her hugs and just knowing she was there. I would give anything to see her name appear on my phone again.