They kept their home life private, with Dean making only a few public appearances over the years.
In a touching Instagra post on Saturday, her niece Lainey shared: ‘I wanted to wait until after my granny was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put any of this into words.’
She said that her Aunt Dolly ‘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’.
Devoid of any bad memories, she shared that because the singer never had kids of her own, she took fully to taking her nieces and nephews under her wing.
Grateful for the unforgettable time she sang on Parton’s Smoky Mountain DNA album as a nervous freshman, ‘she made me feel safe, confident, and like I belonged right there beside her,’ Launey reflected.
Parton also helped fund her beauty school expenses, encouraging her to pursue her dreams every step of the way.
‘It still doesn’t feel real that she’s gone. I’m going to miss her voice, her laugh, her hugs, and just knowing she was there. I’m even going to miss those 4 AM calls, and I’d give anything to see her name pop up on my phone again,’ she said, concluding by thanking those who have shared their condolences.
The Nashville funeral home also paid tribute to Parton with an online obituary remembering her ‘rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see’.
They shared a sweet message on their site, remembering her life, echoing the initial statement released by the Jolene singer’s representatives.
