The Grand Ole Opry hosted a "very emotional" and "incredibly beautiful" tribute show honoring the late Dolly Parton over the weekend. The event, held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, was completely sold out, with no empty seats according to an attendee.
Surprise appearances marked the evening, with Parton's niece Jada Star taking the stage to perform in her honor. Jelly Roll also joined the cast for a rendition of Parton's hit "9 to 5." Other performers included Carly Pearce, Channing Wilson, Belle Frantz, Kathy Mattea, Molly Tuttle, Dan Tyminski, and T. Graham Brown.
Toward the end of the show, a video played of Parton singing "I Will Always Love You" from a past Opry performance, while performers and backstage guests watched from the stage. Attendees were given pink notecards that read "We Will Always Love You" and were encouraged to write a "last letter to Dolly."
Parton, a member of the Grand Ole Opry since January 1969, died at age 80 following a battle with unspecified cancer. A private funeral and burial for about a dozen close relatives took place Friday at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum. A source described the ceremony as "very simple" and noted that Parton's nephew, Bryan Seaver, oversaw the arrangements. It is believed Parton was buried in a cotton dress and her signature stilettos, as she had expressed a desire to rest comfortably.
Parton was laid to rest beside her husband of nearly 59 years, Carl Dean, who died in March. The couple's tombstone features a scene from their native Tennessee and now bears Parton's name. Parton also died at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center five days after being hospitalized for kidney and autoimmune issues. She had previously mentioned dealing with health issues she had not prioritized while caring for Dean until his death.