Dolly Parton’s Brother David Dies – Details
As the Parton family bids farewell to a beloved loved one and leaves a loving legacy, heartbreak befalls them once more.
Dolly Parton’s brother, David Parton, passed away at his White Pine, Tennessee, home on November 15. He was eighty-two.
Stella, Dolly’s sister, posted the news on X (previously Twitter) and expressed her comfort in his quiet death, although Dolly has not yet issued a remark over the loss.
According to Stella, David was a kind, devoted, and compassionate man who was lovingly referred to as “sweet David” by those who knew him. She emphasized his time in the U.S. Marine Corps as well.
As a bridge-building superintendent for Simpson Construction, David also had great success, contributing significantly to projects in Knoxville, Johnson City, and Kingsport.
His 45-year wife, Kay, daughters, Donna and Dena, “nephew/son” Lucas Townsend, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren survive him. His surviving siblings are Denver, Bobby, Willadene, Cassie, Freida, and Rachel, in addition to Dolly and Stella.
On November 19, David’s family will have a funeral ceremony at Leadvale Baptist Church in White Pine. Visitation will start at 5 p.m. The next day, he will be buried at Dandridge Memorial Gardens.
The family thanked Smoky Mountain Home Health & Hospice, Dr. David McNabney, and the caregivers who helped David in his last days in a statement.
The Parton family’s recent grief is exacerbated by David’s passing. His three brothers, Larry, Floyd, and Randy; his parents, Robert and Avie Lee; and his infant son, Donnie, all passed away before him.
Following a fight with cancer, Randy passed away in January 2021. Dolly posted a moving remembrance of him on Facebook after his passing, expressing her family’s grief and finding solace in their faith.
“We are a family of faith and we believe that he is safe with God and that he is joined by members of the family that have gone on before and have welcomed him with joy and open arms,” Dolly wrote in a letter.
Dolly recalled Randy as a talented singer, songwriter, and entertainer who led his own show at Dollywood since its debut in 1986 and played in her band for many years.
Their duets, such as “Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You,” which she called a career high point, were also featured.
The duet “You Are My Christmas,” which starred his daughter Heidi and was featured on Dolly’s Christmas CD, is one of her favorite memories of Randy. “It was his last musical recording, and he shined on it just like he’s shining in heaven now,” she said.
Randy is survived by his wife, Deb; his other daughter, Sabyn; and his two grandsons, Trent and Huston, in addition to Heidi.
Country songwriter Floyd Parton died in December 2018 at the age of 61. According to an obituary written by Pigeon Forge, Tennessee’s Atchley Funeral Home, Floyd was a “renaissance man…a man of many talents and areas of knowledge.”
The obituary emphasized his love of the great outdoors, his extensive understanding of the natural world, and his extraordinary culinary abilities.
Floyd was also praised for his contributions to music, which included authoring the hit song “Nickels and Dimes” from Dolly’s “Heartbreaker” album in 1978 and the 1991 No. 1 duet “Rockin’ Years,” which was recorded by Dolly and Ricky Van Shelton.
Stella shared her love and sorrow on social media, reminiscing about her faith and the time she spent with Floyd’s late sibling, while Dolly refrained from making a public statement over his death.
The youngest sibling, Larry Parton, passed away in 1955, very long after his birth. In 2000 and 2003, respectively, their parents, Robert and Avie Lee Parton, passed away.
Even though the family is dealing with yet another devastating loss, David’s unrelenting love, generosity, and dedication make a lasting impression that will be much appreciated.
