Dolly Parton is expressing her profound gratitude to her support network in the wake of her husband Carl Dean's passing. She has accepted that Carl, her beloved partner of nearly six decades, is now "cradled in God's loving embrace," as she poignantly shared on her Instagram page on March 6th, mere days after announcing his demise at the age of 82.
In a heartfelt message, the legendary country music icon, 79, penned: "This tender love letter is dedicated to my family, cherished friends, and devoted fans. Your condolence messages, cards, and blooms, sent in honor of my cherished Carl, have touched me deeply. Though I cannot personally respond to each one, please know that your kindness has filled my heart with immeasurable comfort."
Continuing, she echoed the sentiments of her iconic 1973 hit, "I Will Always Love You," stating, "He rests peacefully in God's arms, and I find solace in that. My love for him remains eternal."
Carl Dean, Parton's steadfast companion for 58 years, passed away on March 3rd in Nashville, leaving behind his siblings, Sandra and Donnie, as announced on the singer's Instagram. Their statement recalled a love story rooted in simple beginnings, blossoming at a Nashville laundromat where Dean once declared, "that was the day my life began," in a rare public interview with Entertainment Tonight in 2016. He reminisced, "My first thought was, 'I'm going to marry that girl.' My second thought was, 'Lord, she's good-looking.'"
The couple tied the knot in 1966, with Dean remaining a quiet, supportive figure behind the scenes despite his wife's towering fame. "He supports me wholeheartedly, as long as I don't try to drag him into the limelight," Parton told PEOPLE in 2019. "He's been my biggest fan from behind the curtain, content at home."
Similarly, Parton's devotion to Dean knew no bounds. "Carl is the only man in my life. I cherish the dream of aging gracefully by his side. Should he precede me in death, I doubt I would ever marry again," she confessed to PEOPLE in 1982. "My love runs that deep."
