Dolly Parton has been laid to rest following a private funeral, her family has confirmed.
The country star died aged 80 last Tuesday (August 25), with her representatives later confirming that it followed a “brief battle with cancer”.
Her niece Lainey Parton confirmed on Instagram on Saturday (August 29) that the singer had been laid to rest the previous day.
“This is a really hard post for me to make,” she began. “I wanted to wait until after my granny was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put any of this into words.”
Lainey, who affectionately referred to Parton as her “Aunt Granny”, reflected on the encouragement and support she had received from the singer throughout her life.
“From the time I was little, my granny always had a way of making me feel like I was enough,” she wrote. “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.
“Most people can think of at least one bad memory with everyone in their family. I honestly can’t think of one with her.”
She continued: “Because she couldn’t have kids of her own, she always made us feel like we were hers. She loved us that way, and I’ll forever be grateful for that.”
“It still doesn’t feel real that she’s gone,” she added. “I’m going to miss her voice, her laugh, her hugs, and just knowing she was there. I’m even going to miss those 4am calls, and I’d give anything to see her name pop up on my phone again.
“I feel incredibly lucky that I got to call her my granny. Thank you for always believing in me, loving me, and making me feel like I could do anything. I love you, Granny. Always.”
Parton was interred at Nashville’s Woodlawn Memorial Park, where fellow country stars Porter Wagoner, George Jones and Tammy Wynette are also buried. Her husband of nearly 60 year, Carl Dean, was also laid to rest there last year.
Her goddaughter Miley Cyrus also shared a personal tribute to Parton following her death.
“The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share,” she wrote. “Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour and between our hearts.”
It was confirmed on Friday that Nashville International Airport will be renamed in Parton’s honour, following a petition attracting more than 160,000 signatures.
Numerous musicians have also honoured Parton on stage. Kacey Musgraves performed ‘Here You Come Again’ in Boston, while Maisie Peters covered the same song at Reading Festival.
Jack White played ‘Jolene’ at a London show, while Orville Peck delivered a rendition of ‘I Will Always Love You’. Olivia Rodrigo also dedicated her duet with Sarah McLachlan at Daisy Chain Fields to the later singer.
The NME obituary for Parton concluded: “Resplendent in her rhinestone suit, she embodied both qualities as a unifying icon. The world has become more divided since that set, but everyone will always love Dolly.”
