Dolly Parton recently paid a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, Carl Dean, on what would have been their 59th wedding anniversary. In an emotional interview with FOX News’ America Reports on Thursday, June 5, Parton shared how she visited the church where they were married in Ringgold, Georgia, to honor their nearly six decades of love.
Carl Dean, who passed away in March 2025, was the love of Parton’s life, and she spoke candidly about how her faith has helped her cope with his loss. “I am a person of faith, even though I lost him on this earthly plane, and I will miss him every day,” Parton said. “Having to learn new patterns, new habits, but knowing that I will see him again and knowing that he’s in God’s arms now and not mine.” She added, “He’s still in my heart and in my memories. And that’s how I get through my work and my faith that’s carried me on through. But I do miss him, yes.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(449x0:451x2):format(webp)/dolly-parton-carl-dean-1-56bb5036419c4dfd985357b8b388ec37.jpg)
During the anniversary visit, Parton reflected on the many years she and Carl spent in the small town, returning to the church to celebrate their bond. “We got married down in Ringgold, Georgia. And we would always go down to Ringgold in and around our anniversary every year since we were married,” she recalled. “And so I went down there the other day on our anniversary. They put a big plaque up in the yard of that church where we got married. It talks about us getting married there.”
Parton shared that their anniversary tradition included enjoying picnics together, and this year, on the anniversary of their wedding, she found solace by standing on the steps of the church where it all began. “That’s where I spent my anniversary, our first — my first — our anniversary without him, the first one. So I thought, well, I have got to go back and just take a picture on that — on the same steps at that same church.”
Feeling connected to Carl in spirit, Parton said, “I felt like he was there with me,” as she wore his wedding ring on a gold chain around her neck, along with her original wedding rings. “It was just so sweet, and it made me. It was good for me,” she reflected on the emotional moment.
In a previous interview with Entertainment Tonight in May, Parton also spoke about her grief, acknowledging how difficult it has been to adjust to life without Carl. “Of course I miss him,” she said. “I’m having to really go through a lot trying to figure out how to be without him because I was with him for so long.” She also shared that, while it’s incredibly painful, she finds comfort in knowing that Carl is now at peace after suffering for the last few years.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(449x0:451x2)/dolly-parton-carl-dean-3-f7ea3eaa3408464d8d58614507c18948.jpg)
“There’s a part of me that’s happy he’s at peace and at rest,” Parton said. “But then of course, there’s that part of me that will miss him forever and long for him every day. For the rest of my life, I’m sure.”
As Dolly Parton navigates the profound loss of her partner of nearly 60 years, she continues to carry on his memory with the strength and grace that has endeared her to millions of fans around the world.