My older brother David Parton died at the age of 82. I’m sorry for her death, Dolly Parton and her family.

The sad news was confirmed by their sister Stella Parton in a touching post on the social media site X on Friday.

 

Stella wrote that her brother’s death was “peaceful,” saying, “My brother David passed away peacefully this morning.” It’s always hard to say goodbye to someone you care about, but we know they are now at peace with their new wings.

As soon as Stella made her news public, her fans quickly sent her messages of sympathy and support. “So sorry for your loss. He was so lucky to have two wonderful sisters,” wrote one supporter. “May his soul rest in peace and may his memory be with you forever.”

At the time of this writing, Dolly Parton had not talked about David’s death in public, and his family had not given any more information about his death.

Robert and Avie Lee Parton had 12 children. David Wilburn Parton was one of them. They raised their big family in a simple two-room cabin on a farm in Locust Ridge, Tennessee.

Willadeene, David Wilburn, Coy Denver, Dolly Rebecca, Bobby Lee, Stella Mae, Cassie Nan, Randel Huston “Randy,” Larry Gerald, Estel Floyd and Freida Estelle (twins), and Rachel Ann are listed on Dolly’s official website as her siblings. The list is in order of birth.

David’s death is the fourth death among Dolly’s brothers. Larry Gerald, the youngest child, died tragically only four days after being born in 1955. Floyd Parton, a close friend and talented songwriter, died in 2018 at the age of 61. The musician and performer Randy Parton died of cancer in 2021, when he was 67 years old.