Music icon Dolly Parton said she leans on her faith in God after her husband of almost 60 years, Carl Dean, passed away in March at the age of 82.
According to the Independent, during an interview with the Associated Press, Parton detailed how her steadfast faith that inspired her first gospel album in 1971, was the same faith that helped her through her grief.
“I am a person of faith, and I truly believe that I’m going to see him again someday,” Parton said. “And I see him every day in my memories and in my heart, and in all the things that we used to do and all the things that we’ve built together. You just kind of have to learn to kind of make new plans — but that’s the hardest part.”
Parton has been busy promoting a new Southern-inspired frozen meals and has collaborated with Conagra Brands as part of Duncan Hines’ popular baking mixes.
“I really feel his presence,” Parton said. “I just try to go on, because I know I have to. And he was ill for quite a while, and part of me was at peace that he was at peace and not suffering anymore. But that still doesn’t make up for the loss and the loneliness of it.”
When asked if her perspective has changed on what she wants to accomplish following Dean’s death, Parton said it hadn’t because she has always had dreams and is always working.
“My husband understood that. Carl knew that better than anybody and he was all about it,” Parton said. “He was very proud of me. … So when I did lose him, I just thought, well, I’m going to take all of that energy, and I’m just going to put that back into other things, and I’ll keep him ever-present in everything that I do.”
