Dolly Parton struck by family tragedy
<p>Dolly Parton's older brother David Wilburn Parton has passed away at the age of 82. </p>
<p>The news was shared by their sister, Stella Parton, on social media. </p>
<p>"My brother David Passed away peacefully this morning. It's never easy to say goodbye to a loved one but he got his angel wings and is now at peace," she initially wrote on X, formerly Twitter. </p>
<p>She shared another post on Facebook on Friday November 15 (Saturday November 16 in Australia), "It's never easy to lose a loved one. My wonderful brother David Parton passed in the early hours of the morning."</p>
<p>The following day, she thanked everyone for their thoughts and prayers in a follow-up post, "Thank you for all your kind thoughts to my family as we continue to grieve the loss of our much loved and cherished oldest brother David."</p>
<p>While a specific cause of death has not been revealed, David's obituary, posted online by Farrar Funeral Home in White Pine, Tennessee, confirmed that he passed away at his home.</p>
<p>"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," the obituary read. </p>
<p>Dolly has yet to comment on the death. </p>
<p>David is the oldest son among Dolly's 11 siblings, which include six brothers and five sisters. Among them, those remaining include Willadeene, 84, Coy, 81, Robert Jr., 76, Stella, Cassie, 73, Frieda, 67, Rachel, 65.</p>
<p>Unlike his famous siblings, David stayed out of the spotlight and had a thriving career as a bridge builder superintendent, working on many of the bridges in Tennessee.</p>
<p>He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Kay Parton, as well as three children and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.</p>
<p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>
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