Dolly Parton’s Older Brother David Dies at 82, Sister Stella Parton Says: 'He Got His Angel Wings'

Mar. 15, 2025

Dolly and David Parton in 1980.Photo:Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Dolly Parton’s brother David Wilburn Parton has died. He was 82.

The singer’s sister Stella Parton announced the death of their brother in aposton X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Nov. 15.

Stella wrote in a separate post onFacebook, “It’s never easy to lose a loved one,” adding that her brother died “in the early hours of the morning.” OnThreads, she wrote, “My brother David left us this morning. He finally got his angel wings. RIP dear soul. Love you forever.”

Anobituaryposted online on Nov. 15 confirmed that David, detailed as David W. Parton, “passed away at his home” on Friday, Nov. 15 in White Pine, Tenn. The cause of death was not given.

Dolly’s brother David has died (pictured in November 2023).Jason Kempin/Getty

Jason Kempin/Getty

PEOPLE has reached out to Stella and Dolly’s representatives for further comment.

At the time of his death, David was a retired bridge builder superintendent at Simpson Construction. He had worked around Tennessee in the Kingsport, Johnson City, and Knoxville areas, according to the obituary.

Dolly Parton (L) and her brother David Wilburn Parton, as pictured in his online obituary.Jason Kempin/Getty; Farrar Funeral home

Jason Kempin/Getty; Farrar Funeral home

“The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. David McNabney, Smoky Mountain Home Health & Hospice, his Cornerstone caregiver, Aubrie Smith & caregiver, Robin Schmidt,” it read.

David was one of the 11 Parton siblings and the second oldest of the six brothers and five sisters that include Willadeene, 84, Coy, 81, Dolly, Robert Jr., 76, Stella, Cassie, 73, Freida, 67, and Rachel, 65, as well as Randy, Larry and Floyd, who are already deceased.

Dolly and her sister Stella Parton pictured in 2015.Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Unlike his famous sisters, David kept out of the spotlight during his lifetime.

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Dolly’s pictured with her late brother Randy who died from cancer in 2021.AFF-USA/Shutterstock

David’s death comes nearly four years after thedeath of his brother Randyfrom cancer at 67 in 2021 and six years after his brother Floyd, whodiedin December 2018 at 61.

Dolly previously wrote in astatementon Facebook about Randy’s passing, “My brother Randy has lost his battle with cancer. The family and I are grieving his loss but we know he is in a better place than we are at this time.”

source: people.com