Dolly Parton’s Brother Floyd Has Sadly Died At Age 61 After Suffering From A Mystery Illness

Rest in peace, Floyd Parton. Dolly Parton‘s brother sadly died at age 61 on Thursday, Dec. 6 after suffering from a mystery illness, Radar Online revealed on Monday, Dec. 10. Floyd was previously rushed to a Tennessee hospital just before Thanksgiving and was in “critical condition” prior to his passing, according to the news outlet.

“A renaissance man, Floyd was a man of many talents and areas of knowledge. He was an avid outdoorsman and had an abundant knowledge of nature as well as being an incredible cook,” Floyd’s loved ones wrote in an obituary obtained by Radar. Dolly’s brother appeared in many of his famous sibling’s movies and TV shows including Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love in 2007 and 1984’s Rhinestone, which Dolly starred in alongside Sylvester Stallone. Floyd additionally wrote Dolly and singer Ricky Van Shelton’s 1991 hit song “Rockin’ Years.”

Floyd and his twin sister, Freida Parton, 61, are just two of Dolly’s 11 siblings. The 72-year-old country icon also has brothers Randy Parton, 64, Robert Lee Parton Jr., 70, Coy Denver Parton, 75, and David Wilburn Parton, 76, and sisters Stella Parton, 69, Rachel Dennison, 59, Willadeene Parton, 78, and Cassie Nan Parton, 67. The Parton siblings additionally had a brother, Larry Gerald Parton, who sadly passed away as a newborn back in 1955.

The news of Floyd’s death comes just days after Dolly candidly joked about dying while talking about her future retirement plans in an interview with People. “I never think about retiring. I just hope I fall dead in the middle of a song, hopefully, one I wrote, right on-stage. I figure I’ll sleep when I’m dead. At this rate, I will be soon!” she told the magazine. Our thoughts remain with Dolly and her family as they mourn the loss of Floyd.