Dolly Parton's niece, Lainey Parton, has shared a poignant tribute following the country music icon's funeral service. Lainey praised her aunt, affectionately known as 'granny,' for her deep love and for treating her nieces and nephews, as well as her grandchildren, as if they were her own children. This was particularly meaningful as Dolly Parton, who passed away on August 25 at the age of 80 after a battle with cancer, was unable to have children of her own due to struggles with endometriosis.
Parton was laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville, where she was interred in the same mausoleum as her late husband, Carl Dean. Lainey Parton shared her tribute on social media after the private service, expressing the difficulty of composing the post.
"From the time I was little, my granny always had a way of making me feel like I was enough," Lainey wrote in a caption accompanying photos of herself and her aunt. "She never made my dreams feel too big or made me feel like I couldn’t do something. She believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself."
Lainey recalled Dolly's encouragement, noting that her aunt supported her decision to attend beauty school instead of college and even provided financial assistance to help her start her career. One cherished memory Lainey shared was being invited to sing with Parton on her 2024 album, "Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith & Fables." Lainey described feeling nervous as a high school freshman but credited her aunt for making her feel safe and confident.
Parton's sister, Stella, also spoke about Dolly's character, describing her as exceptionally generous and kind. Stella revealed that even during her illness, Dolly was willing to explore experimental treatments to help others in the future. She also shared insights into their weekly phone calls, a ritual they maintained for years.
Dolly Parton was remembered for her significant contributions to childhood literacy through her Imagination Library, which has donated millions of books. She also made a $1 million donation to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2020 to fund research that contributed to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
Stella urged fans to honor Dolly's legacy by practicing kindness, lifting others up, and donating time and resources. She emphasized Dolly's love for the world and her philosophy of focusing on more important matters than petty worries.
Born in Pittman Center, Tennessee, on January 19, 1946, Dolly Parton was the fourth of 12 children. Raised in the Great Smoky Mountains, she developed a passion for music early in life, performing on local radio and television before releasing her first single at 13. Her career spanned six decades, producing iconic hits like "Jolene" and "9 to 5."