Dolly Parton loses close family member one year after losing her husband

Dolly Parton loses close family member one year after losing her husband

Dolly Parton is mourning the death of her brother Coy “Denver” Parton. He was 82.

The crane operator passed away in Sevierville, Tennessee, on Thursday, according to an Atchley Funeral Home obituary obtained by Page Six.

His cause of death has yet to be revealed.

Dolly Parton’s brother Coy “Denver” Parton (seen here) has died. He was 82. Atchley Funeral Home
Per an Atchley Funeral Home obituary, he passed away in Sevierville, Tennessee, on Thursday. (Seen above: Dolly in 2022.) Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images

A rep for Dolly, 80, wasn’t immediately available to Page Six for comment.

Coy, who lived his life outside the spotlight, worked as a crane operator and was also a homestead farmer and avid hunter, per the obituary.

His death follows the passing of his wife, Carolyn Parton, and brothers, Larry Parton, David Parton, Randy Parton and Floyd Parton.

Additionally, Coy is survived by Dolly and their siblings, Willadeene Buzzeo, Robert Parton Jr., Stella Parton, Cassie Griffith, Freida Parton, and Rachel George. He was also the father of daughters Chris and Jennifer.

Coy’s cause of death has yet to be revealed. (Seen above: Dolly in 2024.) Getty Images
The crane operator’s death comes more than a year after the passing of Dolly’s husband, Carl Dean. (Seen here: Dean and Dolly in a throwback photo.) dollyparton/Instagram

The father of two’s heartbreaking death comes after his brother-in-law and Dolly’s husband, Carl Dean, died at the age of 82 in March 2025.

“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together,” the “I Will Always Love You” songstress wrote in a statement at the time.

“Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”

Following Dean’s death, Dolly shared that he dealt with a secret health battle, telling the Independent in May 2025 that “Part of [her] was at peace that he was at peace and not suffering anymore.”

“But that still doesn’t make up for the loss and the loneliness of it,” the Grammy winner vulnerably admitted.

Dean (seen here) died in March 2025 following a private health battle. dollyparton/Instagram
He and Dolly (seen above) tied the knot in 1966. dollyparton/Instagram

At the time, Dolly also shared that she was taking a brief break from music while in mourning, telling Khloé Kardashian on an episode of the “Khloé in Wonder Land” podcast, “I can’t do it.”

The couple tied the knot in 1966 after meeting outside a laundromat in 1964 when Dolly was 18.

Dolly, meanwhile, has been dealing with a few health issues of her own, starting last September when she canceled a Dollywood appearance due to kidney stones.

The following month, she postponed her now-canceled Las Vegas residency to undergo a “few procedures.”

Additionally, the “9 to 5” singer was absent from her 80th birthday celebration hosted at the Grand Ole Opry in January.

Since September, Dolly (seen here in July 2026) has been publicly dealing with health struggles. Dolly Parton/Instagram
The Grammy winner (seen above in 2001) has had kidney stones and undergone a “few procedures.” Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

In May, Dolly, who has been discreet about her health struggles, announced she was “responding really well to meds and treatments” and “improving every day.”

The hitmaker later made a surprise appearance at the opening of her Tennessean Travel Stop ribbon-cutting ceremony last month.

In early July, she also announced the forthcoming Broadway production of “Dolly: A True Original Musical,” which will shine light on her iconic career.

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