Dolly Parton’s sister, Stella, has shared a heartfelt message following the death of Carl Dean, Dolly’s husband of nearly 60 years. On March 3, Dolly Parton announced the passing of her beloved husband at the age of 82 in Nashville. In a statement on Instagram, Dolly expressed deep gratitude for the decades they shared together, stating that words could not fully capture the love they had for one another.
In a post on X, Stella, 75, thanked fans for their outpouring of sympathy. She wrote, “On behalf of my sister Dolly, our family, and Carl’s family, we appreciate your prayers at this time.” Dean, who shied away from the public eye throughout his life, will be laid to rest in a private ceremony, with the family requesting privacy during this sorrowful time. He is survived by his wife, Dolly, and his siblings, Sandra and Donnie.
Dolly and Carl’s relationship was notably private, with the couple rarely seen together in public. Despite his absence from the spotlight, Carl supported Dolly’s career wholeheartedly. Dolly has previously joked about the secret to their long-lasting marriage, saying, “Stay gone!” referencing their frequent time apart due to her touring schedule. Yet, when together, they cherished their time, finding joy in each other’s company.
In a 2018 interview with PEOPLE, Dolly shared that their personalities complemented each other perfectly—she is outgoing, and Carl is more reserved, but both share a great sense of humor. “We love each other, respect each other, and have a lot of fun,” Dolly reflected. Their humor played a major role in keeping their bond strong, with both using jokes to diffuse tension and prevent any long-standing arguments. Dolly said, “We never fought back and forth, and I’m glad we never did. Once you start that, it becomes a lifetime thing.”
Dolly also spoke about the simple pleasures they shared, such as spending time together in the kitchen. She fondly recalled Carl sitting with her while she cooked, sometimes sharing the task as he prepared meals for himself during her frequent absences. Despite his modest culinary skills, Carl appreciated Dolly’s cooking, and they found joy in these quiet moments.
As Dolly navigates this painful loss, her sister Stella’s words of thanks reflect the support and love surrounding the Parton family during this difficult time.