Dolly Parton Speaks Out on Brother Floyd’s Death: “He Lived a Short Life of Love and Beautiful Songs”

Dolly Parton has opened up about the heartbreaking loss of her younger brother, Floyd Estel Parton, who passed away on December 6 at the age of 61. Known to fans as a gifted songwriter and to his family as a gentle soul with a deep love for nature, Floyd’s passing has left a quiet ache in the heart of the Parton family—and of Dolly herself.

In a tender public statement shared by her spokesperson, the country music legend expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming kindness and support that poured in following Floyd’s death.

“Yesterday, we laid our sweet baby brother to rest,” the statement began. “We all sang his lovely song ‘Rockin’ Years’ together as a family at the service to say goodbye to him. He lived a short life of love and beautiful songs.”

Those words paint a deeply personal and poetic picture of a man who preferred a life behind the scenes but whose songs helped shape the sound of his sister’s legacy. Floyd’s writing credits include “Rockin’ Years,” which Dolly recorded as a duet with Ricky Van Shelton—a hit that became a fan favorite—and “Nickels and Dimes,” recorded by both Dolly and legendary entertainer George Burns.

But to those who knew him best, Floyd was far more than just a songwriter.

Described in his obituary as “a renaissance man,” Floyd had a wide-ranging curiosity and a passion for life that went far beyond music. He was an avid outdoorsman, a nature lover with an encyclopedic knowledge of the wild, and a cook whose skills in the kitchen earned him admiration from everyone who sat at his table.

“He had an abundant knowledge of nature as well as being an incredible cook,” the family shared in the tribute released by Atchley Funeral Home in Sevierville, Tennessee.

That connection to Sevierville runs deep. It’s the small Smoky Mountains town where the Parton family roots are anchored—and where the My People Senior Activity Center stands as a testament to Dolly’s ongoing devotion to the community that raised her. In Floyd’s memory, the family is inviting donations to the center, a place close to their hearts.

“We’d be honored if friends and fans made donations in Floyd’s name to the My People Senior Activity Center,” Dolly’s statement read. “It’s a place that meant something to him and still means the world to us.”

Floyd was one of twelve children born to Avie Lee and Robert Lee Parton. Among his siblings are musicians, pastors, public servants—and of course, Dolly herself. The family’s bond has always been central to Dolly’s life and artistry, reflected in songs that speak of shared memories, faith, and the powerful pull of kinship.

While Dolly is known the world over as a global icon and musical treasure, she remains, at her core, a deeply grounded woman of family and faith. In her sorrow, she turned once again to music—as the Partons always have—singing the very lyrics Floyd helped write, letting his words carry him home.

The passing of Floyd Parton is a profound loss for Dolly and her family. Yet in her message, there’s also a quiet resilience—an echo of the same hope she’s offered millions of fans for decades.

“He lived a short life of love and beautiful songs,” she wrote. And in that, Floyd’s memory will live on, not only in melodies and lyrics, but in the hearts of those who knew him best.

For those wishing to honor his legacy, donations in Floyd Parton’s name can be made to:

My People Senior Activity Center
Sevierville, Tennessee
More information at www.seviervilletn.org

Floyd’s music and memory will forever remain part of the soundtrack of Dolly’s extraordinary journey—and of country music itself.