Dolly Parton and family are in mourning after the death of brother Randy.
The country queen, 75, shared the sad news on Facebook Thursday, revealing that her little brother has ‘lost his battle with cancer.’
‘The family and I are grieving his loss but we know he is in a better place than we are at this time,’ Dolly said.
‘We are a family of faith and we believe that he is safe with God and that he is joined by members of the family that have gone on before and have welcomed him with joy and open arms.’
RIP: Dolly Parton announced brother Randy Parton had died of cancer in a Facebook post on Wednesday. The pair are seen in 2015 together above
She went on to talk about his talents, calling Randy ‘a great singer, writer, and entertainer’ who ‘sang, played guitar and bass in [Dolly’s] band for many years.’
‘He headed his own show at Dollywood since it opened in 1986. He’s had several chart records of his own, but his duet with me on Old Flames Can’t Hold A Candle To You will always be a highlight in my own career.’
Randy’s solo career earned major radio play during the 80s, with tracks like Hold Me Like You Never Had Me and Shot Full of Love both making their mark on Top 40 radio.
Dolly remembered a special family moment with Randy, saying: ‘You Are My Christmas, our duet on my latest Christmas album, joined with his daughter Heidi, will always be a favorite.
Angel: ‘The family and I are grieving his loss but we know he is in a better place than we are at this time,’ Dolly said
Good times: Randy, Dolly and Canadian singer Anne Murray are seen in 1977 above
‘It was his last musical recording and he shined on it just like he’s shining in heaven now,’ she explained.
Randy, the eighth of the 12 Parton siblings, is survived by his wife Deb, his daughter Heidi, son Sabyn, grandsons Huston and Trent.
Dolly spoke for the whole family as she finished the message saying: ‘We will always love him and he will always be in our hearts.’
Randy’s death comes two-years after brother Floyd Parton’s death in December 2018. He was just 61.
Come together: The sad news comes on the heels of Dolly’s 75th birthday, which she celebrated with a hope-filled message for fans
The sad news comes on the heels of Dolly’s 75th birthday, which she celebrated with a hope-filled message for fans.
‘This year my birthday wish is a call for kindness,’ the Jolene singer wrote while sharing a glam black and white snapshot of herself.
‘We can’t just hope for a brighter day, we have to work for a brighter day. Love too often gets buried in a world of hurt and fear. So today, January 19th, let’s get to unearthing love.’
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