Dolly Parton has honored her late husband, Carl Dean, with a heartfelt musical tribute. The country music icon shared a special song, “If You Hadn’t Been There,” in memory of her lifelong partner.

Parton announced the tribute on Instagram, posting a nostalgic photo of herself and Dean from their younger years. Alongside the image, she shared a touching message. “Carl and I fell in love when I was 18 and he was 23, and like all great love stories, they never end. They live in memory and in song, and I dedicate this to him.”

The post featured Parton’s emotional rendition of the song, moving many fans to tears. The comments section quickly filled with messages of support and admiration.“Awww Dolly, I cried. Such a great man. My boss was friends with Carl. What a gracious man he was. 🙏💔,” one fan shared.

Someone else commented, “Dolly, I am sobbing at the dinner table 🥹. What a beautiful, soul-baring tribute to a man who shared you in all your joy, humor, and light with all of us. You and Carl are so so loved🤍.”

The song, “If You Hadn’t Been There,” carries a sentimental yet uplifting tone. Despite the sorrowful occasion, its melody remains hopeful.

“I wouldn’t be here, if you hadn’t been there, holding my hand, showing you care, you made me dream, more than I dared, and I wouldn’t be here, if you hadn’t been there,” Parton sings.

Dean, known for his private nature, was married to Parton for nearly six decades. His passing marked the end of a long and enduring love story.

The renowned singer first shared the news of her husband’s passing on March 3, 2025, via social media. The couple was married for nearly 60 years and did not have children together.

In a March 6, 2025, Instagram post, Parton thanked family, friends, and fans for their support and shared that she had found peace in her faith, “He is in God’s arms now and I am okay with that. I will always love you.”

Parton’s tribute came after the reveal of Dean’s funeral arrangements, marking another step in honoring his memory. According to information shared with the Associated Press by her publicist, Carl will be honored in a private funeral service attended solely by his immediate family.

Parton herself offered a heartfelt statement, expressing the profound grief that comes with losing her husband of almost 60 years. “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy,” the country legend shared.

While the family has not disclosed further details regarding the location or specifics of the ceremony, the desire for privacy aligns with Dean’s well-known aversion to public attention.

As the family prepares to say their final goodbyes in a private ceremony, Parton’s sister, Stella, took to X on March 4, 2025, to acknowledge the outpouring of love and support from the public. “On behalf of my sister Dolly, our family and Carl’s family, we appreciate your prayers at this time,” she penned.

Details surrounding his funeral and the message shared by Parton’s sister follow initial reports about the death of the man who captured the “9 to 5” singer’s heart. Dean is survived by Parton and his siblings, Sandra and Donnie.

The family, who has not shared Dean’s cause of death, has requested privacy during this difficult time as they grieve the loss of a man who remained a steadfast presence in Parton’s life since their wedding in 1966.

Parton crossed paths with Dean on her very first day in town, two years before they tied the knot. She had just arrived in Nashville to stay with her Uncle Bill, who had moved there two weeks earlier.

While helping out by babysitting his son, she took a trip to a local laundromat, the Wishy‐Washy, to clean the clothes she had brought with her. As she walked down the street, taking in her new surroundings, a man called out to her.

Coming from a small town, she was used to greeting everyone, so she waved back. That man turned out to be Dean. The singer was 18 when they met, and Dean was 21. “I was surprised and delighted that while he talked to me, he looked at my face (a rare thing for me). He seemed to be genuinely interested in finding out who I was and what I was about,” noted Parton.

Although they had a friendly exchange, Parton initially refused to go out with him, sticking to the lessons she had been taught about safety. Instead, she invited him to visit her uncle’s house while she babysat. He took her up on the offer and came by every day that week, spending time with her on the porch. She didn’t even allow him inside the house.

Eventually, when her aunt had a day off and could watch the baby, she finally agreed to go somewhere with Dean. “He drove me straight to his folks’ house and introduced me to his mother and daddy. Cause he said he knew right the minute he saw me that that’s the one he wanted,” Parton gushed.

They got married on Memorial Day 1966 in Ringgold, Georgia, when Parton was 20 and Dean was 23. The small and private ceremony was attended by Parton’s mother, Avie Lee, the preacher of the ceremony, and his wife.

Over the years, Parton has spoken about her marriage to Dean, including how it lasted decades. She credited the success of her long-lasting marriage to the differences between them, noting that their opposite personalities kept things exciting.