Richie Owens reveals details of Dolly Parton’s private final days

Parton, who died at age 80, was laid to rest on August 28 in a ceremony attended by only a small group of family members. Addressing the public discourse surrounding the event, Owens pushed back against the label of a "funeral," describing the occasion as a quiet burial beside her husband, Carl Dean. He noted that Parton explicitly requested that any funds typically earmarked for funeral flowers be redirected to her Imagination Library, prioritizing her charitable legacy over conventional displays of mourning.

Beyond the service, Owens shed light on the singer’s guarded approach to her health. While representatives confirmed Parton passed away following a brief battle with cancer at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, the singer had kept the severity of her condition largely hidden. Owens, who serves as the family historian, stated that Parton intentionally shielded those around her from her struggles to maintain a positive environment. This sentiment was echoed by her niece, Jada Star, who told ExtraTV that the singer’s primary concern was ensuring her loved ones remained unburdened by her health challenges. Even in her final months, Parton maintained a busy professional schedule, telling PEOPLE in August 2026 that she was continuing her work despite managing health issues that had surfaced following the death of her husband in 2025.