Parton Family Pays Tribute to Late Icon's Legacy of Opening Doors
Dolly Parton's nephew Bryan Seaver, speaking on behalf of the Owens and Parton families, announced her death on Aug. 25, 2026, in a video message. Seaver, who served as her head of security for over two decades, recalled how Parton opened doors for her family and countless others in music and beyond. He described her as living in the light and being reunited with loved ones in heaven.
Bryan Seaver, who served as Parton's head of security for more than two decades, delivered the news in a video message he said she had requested years earlier. His father Larry previously held the same security role, reflecting the family's deep professional ties to the singer. Parton died at age 80, following her husband Carl Dean's passing in March 2025.
Parton's 2024 album Smoky Mountain DNA: Faith, Family and Fables featured performances with relatives across five generations of musicians and topped the Billboard Bluegrass Albums chart. The family has requested donations to her Imagination Library literacy program in lieu of flowers, with a private service planned for immediate family only.
Parton's death could resonate widely given her seven-decade career spanning music, film, and philanthropy. Her Imagination Library program has distributed millions of books to children, and her crossover appeal may mean her passing touches audiences beyond country music fans. The family's emphasis on her legacy of opening doors for others could shape how her contributions are remembered, potentially reinforcing her status as a cultural bridge-builder across genres and generations.