Dolly Parton's Family Shares Her Final Message to Fans
Nephew Bryan Seaver delivered a video announcement of Parton's death, sharing her wish to be remembered with the words 'I will always love you.'
Dolly Parton's family has shared what they describe as her final message to fans, following the announcement of her death at age 80 on Tuesday.
"I will always love you," reads a message from Parton posted to her official Instagram account, accompanied by a video from her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announcing the death of his "aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean."
Seaver, who has served as Parton's head of security for more than two decades — a role his father, Larry, held before him — said the video announcement was something Parton had asked him to make years earlier.
"This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality," Seaver said. "I have imagined the heaviness of this moment, but haven't truly felt it until now."
Seaver reflected on Parton's impact on his family and beyond, saying she "created opportunities and supported those behind her and coming up alongside her."
"Dolly opened doors not just for me, but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn't even know was possible," he said. "Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians, and dreamers from every walk of life and across every continent. She never saw a door she couldn't open, and the doors she opened made and changed history."
He said family members plan to carry on Parton's legacy "to ensure her spirit will live with us forever."
The family said they will hold a private funeral per Parton's request, but invited fans to share tributes on social media by tagging @DollyParton or leaving a message at dollyparton.com.
Seaver also recalled a personal request from his aunt. "Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest," he said. "Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly, and Granny, Gigi. May God bless Dolly Parton, and may God bless you all. She will always love you."
A special edition of ABC's "20/20," titled "Dolly Parton: An American Original," airs Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 10 p.m. ET and streams the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), in accordance with our editorial policy.
