The final known photos of country music legend Dolly Parton were taken at the opening of her Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tennessee on June 24.
Just 2 months later, Dolly’s nephew Brian Weaver, the son of her sister Cassie Parton, announced her death in an Instagram post.
The country music superstar had her hand in many areas of entertainment. Along with being a prolific songwriter and country music icon, she was a one-time Hallmark star, making a cameo appearance in the holiday film “Christmas at Dollywood” back in 2019.
Dolly has also served as an “American Idol” mentor in 2008, mentoring the contestants during season 7’s Country Week featuring the Top 8.
What Dolly Parton Said at Her Final In-Person Appearance
Dolly stepped onstage at the travel stop opening with two assistants at her side, but appeared as spirited as ever as she enthusiastically spoke about the travel stop.
She greeted the crowd who’d gathered to catch a glimpse of their idol by saying, ““How’s everybody doing today in that hot boiling sun? I wanted to welcome all of you and say thank you for coming. We’re very excited about our truck stop. Our Tennessean Travel Stop.”
The Sevierville native then explained her reasoning in deciding to become a partner in the venture, saying, “I’m sure some of you are wondering why I wanted a truck stop.” She then made a joking reference to the popular gas station chain Buc-ee’s, saying, “Well, I couldn’t leave it to beavers. I had to throw my squirrely little self in there.”
She also thanked Gregory H. Sachs, the owner of the Tennessean Travel Stop brand, for his offer to go into a business together, and said she found the opportunity great because “I’ve spent my whole life traveling.”
She finished up by assuring fans the travel stop will have “everything you want or need,” and said she and her partners don’t feel the need to “compete with anybody.”
Weeks after her final in-person speech, Dolly addressed her fans in a final video message which was played at the August 19 opening of the new Dollywood coaster, NightFlight Expedition.
In that speech, she optimistically said, “It’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health. But I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn’t years ago. I used to joke that I was the Queen of the Tabloids, but now I guess I can say I’m the Queen of Social Media AI! Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’.”
Dolly Parton’s Death Was Announced by the Son of Her Sister, Cassie
Dolly’s passing was announced by her nephew Brian Weaver, the son her sister Cassie, the brunette on the far right of the photo above.
People says Brian said in an Instagram video that he was “representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next.”
The outlet quotes him as going on in the video to say he considers the task “an honor” despite the “great sadness” involved. He also revealed he’s worked as Dolly’s head of security for the past two decades, after taking over the role from his father Larry.
