Dolly Parton was laid to rest in a private burial in Nashville on Friday, three days after the country music legend died at the age of 80. Her niece, Lainey Mae Parton, shared news of the burial on Saturday, reflecting on her aunt's influence and close family ties.
"From the time I was little, my granny always had a way of making me feel like I was enough," Lainey Mae Parton wrote in an Instagram post. "She believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself." She also noted Parton's maternal care for her nieces and nephews, stating, "Because she couldn't have kids of her own, she always made us feel like we were hers."
Parton died on August 25 after "bravely facing a brief battle with cancer," according to her publicist.
Following her burial, tributes to Parton continued. The Grand Ole Opry dedicated its August 29 show to the longtime Opry member and Country Music Hall of Fame inductee. A portion of the ticket proceeds from the show will be donated to Parton's Imagination Library, the childhood literacy program she founded.
During the Opry tribute, Parton's niece Jada Star performed "The Orchard." Carly Pearce, who began her career performing at Dollywood as a teenager, performed "Those Memories of You," and Kathy Mattea dedicated her performance of "Jolene" to Parton's memory. Performers later gathered onstage for "9 to 5," with a surprise appearance by Opry member Jelly Roll. The evening concluded with a video of Parton performing "I Will Always Love You" at the Opry.
In addition to the musical tributes, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Nashville International Airport have announced their intent to name the airport in Parton's honor. Lee stated that the move would create "a lasting tribute to her indelible legacy and the generations of people she inspired across Tennessee and around the world."