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I would love to grow old with [Carl].
If he should die first, I may never marry again,Dolly Partonsaid in 1981.
He is survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie.
Carl and I spent many wonderful years together, the country singer said in a social media post.
Words cant do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years, she continued.
Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.
Meanwhile, his wife went on to becomeone of the most famous singers of all time.
Youre gonna get sunburnt out here, little lady!
hecalled outto her while driving by in his white Chevy pickup truck.
Carl described the encounter as the day my life began.
My first thought was, Im gonna marry that girl, he said, as quoted byET.
I wouldnt even take him in the house.
He knew right the minute he saw me that thats the one he wanted, the country queen said.
Dolly reflected on how she had a clear purpose on moving to Nashville and hadnt intended to marry.
And Carl understood this.
Nobody could make me quit, she told theNew York Times.
He never tried to make me give it up.
And hes proud of me, but hes not necessarily a fan.
He dont particularly like to hear me sing.
They chose the city lying 150 miles southeast of Nashville to escape any attention from Tennessee newspapers.
My mother made me a little white dress and a little bouquet, Dolly wasquotedtellingCMT.
She was determined not to get married in a courthouse.
Were honoring Dolly Partons husband, Carl Deans passing with this look back on their relationship.pic.twitter.com/hayPOCO9RA
E!
In 1967, Dolly rented him a tux and begged him to join her at the BMI Awards.
Theyreturned home that night with her awardfor the BMI Song of the Year.
But Carl admitted to her that he was uncomfortable the whole night.
And he never did, she added.
Nevertheless, they went on to enjoy a 60-year love story before Carl passed away.
She got this terrible crush on my husband, she toldNPRin 2008.
And he just loved going to the bank because she paid him so much attention.
It became a running joke between her and Carl, she added.
I was saying, Hell, youre spending a lot of time at the bank.
I dont believe weve got that kind of money, she continued.
So its reallyan innocent song all around, but sounds like a dreadful one.
It was a simple little ceremony at our chapel at our place, she toldRolling Stonein 2016.
Im dragging him kicking and screaming into the next 50 years.
We have different interests, but yet we have the things we love to do together, shetoldETin 2022.
So it was meant to be, I think, she added.
He was the one I was supposed to have and vice versa.
Heartbreaking news, their love story was one for the ages.
Carl is now her guardian angel, another fan said.
I cant imagine being married to someone for 60 years and then losing them, one said.
Gosh how hard that must be.
Another wrote, WHAT a blessing they have been to each other.
They leave a legacy of love and devotion.
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