Dolly Parton’s niece, Rebecca Seaver has paid tribute to the singer following her death on August 25, 2026. The country music star was 80 years old and had been diagnosed with cancer.Seaver is the daughter of the Jolene songstress’s sister, Cassie Parton Griffith. She is a singer, author, archivist and a burlesque performer. She is also the Director of the Dolly Parton Archive and Executive Director of Dolly’s Life Of Many Colors Museum. She is the curator of Dolly’s book Behind the Seams: My Life which was released in October 2023. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostRemembering her aunt, Seaver took to her Instagram to pay an emotional tribute. She described Parton as her “best friend” and her “godmother.” Her post included photos of the two together from past years as she honored her life.Parton’s death was first announced by her nephew and Seaver’s brother, Bryan Seaver, in a video on social media. Parton will be buried in the mausoleum at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Nashville, Tennessee, next to her husband Carl Dean.Everything you need to know about Dolly Parton’s niece, Rebecca SeaverDolly Parton’s niece, Rebecca Seaver, posted a heartfelt message on the passing of her aunt, Dolly Parton.Seaver shared a carousel on Instagram featuring photos of her as a baby with her aunt, as well as photos of her mother, Cassie, and other family members. She wrote in her message:“Today, the grief we feel is insurmountable because of the enormous amount of love we all have for Dolly Rebecca Parton.”Seaver went on to say that Dolly Parton:“has always been the light, not just for those directly in her orbit but for the entire world. We all wanted to be better versions of ourselves for her sake, and I hope we all continue to do just that.”The U.S. Remembers Dolly Parton - Source: GettySeaver added that she has now embarked on a journey without her “most trusted confidant,” her “best friend”, her “favorite adventurer”, her “name giver”, her “godmother,” and her “precious Aunt Granny.” She noted that Parton has been welcomed into the mystic by her husband, Carl and her Mamaw Avie Lee and is now on her celestial journey with God.In her conclusion, Seaver wrote:“This is a celebration of a beautiful life, lived unapologetically and with the most incredible heart. She never left a rhinestone or a dream unturned, and I am so proud to carry those shining dreams forward. She will forever be shining down on us and flying with butterflies. I will miss you and love you endlessly.”She signed off as Rebecca Ann Keikilani Seaver. Born in 1986, Seaver is the daughter of Cassie Parton and her first husband, Larry Seaver. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Seaver identifies as a queer and a non-binary. She has discussed experiences in interviews on navigating the drag and LGBTQ+ performance scenes as a non-binary individual. Seaver uses she/they pronouns and performs draglesque under the name Mx. Mona Von Holler.She began working alongside her aunt since she was in her teens. She worked in the styling department and coordinated with Dolly Parton’s assistant Judy Ogle. During her tenure with the 9 to 5 singer, Seaver has contributed to exhibitions at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, Dollywood, and the Grammy Museum.Dubbed the Queen of Country, Parton told The Independent when asked about her legacy that she wants to be “remembered as somebody who took her work serious but not herself.”From Miley Cyrus, who called her an "angel by my side" to Taylor Swift who stated that "a world without Dolly doesn't feel possible, real, or right,” paid tribute to Dolly Parton. Beyonce honored her as "the barometer. The north star" while Paul McCartney said that her songwriting, singing, and philanthropy were “unrivaled in the world of country music.”Dolly Parton was married to her husband, Carl Dean, for 59 years, who died in March 2025. She ran into Dean outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat while waiting for her laundry. They dated for two years and got married in 1966.The couple chose not to have children. Parton shared over the years that she faced health challenges like endometriosis, which led to a partial hysterectomy in her 30s. She believed not having children gave her the career freedom and independence she needed to succeed.