Floyd Parton, Songwriter and Brother of Country Legend Dolly Parton, Dead at 61

Dolly Parton and Floyd Parton
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The songwriter who penned 'Rockin' Years' and 'Nickels and Dimes,' died on Dec. 6.

Floyd Parton, brother of country music legend Dolly Parton, died on  Dec. 6, at 61. No cause of death has been announced.

"Dolly, and the entire Parton Family, wish to thank everyone for their kindness. Yesterday, we laid our sweet baby brother to rest," the Parton family said in a statement to ET on Tuesday, Dec. 11. "We all sang his lovely song, 'Rocking Years,' together as a family at the service to say goodbye to him. He lived a short life of love and beautiful songs."

The family added in their statement that "friends, fans and family may make a donation in his honor to the My People Senior Activity Center in Sevierville, Tennessee."

News of Floyd's death was first released in an obituary published by Atchley Funeral Home, of Sevierville, Tennessee, which praised the songwriter as "a renaissance man" and 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," the obit said of Floyd's life and legacy. "Floyd was a talented songwriter and composer."

Two of the most famous songs Floyd penned were "Rockin’ Years," recorded by Dolly and Ricky Van Shelton in 1991, as well as "Nickels and Dimes," which Dolly released in 1978.

The "Jolene" singer, who is currently promoting her work on the soundtrack for the Netflix dramedy Dumplin', has yet to comment publicly on her brother's death aside from her family's statement.

Floyd is survived by his numerous siblings, as well as several nieces and nephews. According to Atchley Funeral Home, "The family held a private service." 

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