Dolly Parton: Country legend mourns brother David

The Parton family has to cope with a serious loss: David Wilburn Parton, the older brother of country superstar Dolly Parton (78), has died at the age of 82. His sister Stella (75) shared the sad news. “My brother David passed away peacefully this morning,” wrote the 75-year-old. “It’s never easy to say goodbye to a loved one, but he has now gained his angel wings and is now at peace.”

: “It’s never easy to lose a loved one.” The 75-year-old also spoke up on threads: “He has finally got his angel wings. Rest in peace, dear soul. I will love you forever.” According to US media, an obituary published on November 15th also confirmed that David Wilburn Parton had died at his home in White Pine, Tennessee. A cause of death was not announced.

Unlike his famous sisters Dolly and Stella, David Wilburn Parton stayed away from show business throughout his life. Until his retirement, he worked as a bridge construction supervisor for Simpson Construction in Tennessee. There he worked in the Kingsport, Johnson City and Knoxville regions.

David Wilburn was one of eleven Parton siblings and the second oldest of the six brothers and five sisters. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Kay Parton, and two daughters, Donna and Dena. His nephew Lucas, described in the obituary as “nephew/son”, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren also mourn his passing.

For the Parton family it is the third painful loss in just a few years. In 2021, brother Randy died of cancer at the age of 67, and in 2018, brother Floyd succumbed to an illness at just 61 years old. Dolly Parton herself has not yet publicly commented on her brother’s death. The funeral will take place next Tuesday at Leadvale Baptist Church in White Pine surrounded by family and friends.