Dolly Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver has been removed from his role as her head of security after more than two decades, and new security teams were installed at her Nashville residence, her museum, her downtown residence and her warehouse. According to TMZ, Seaver’s team responded Monday saying they are“dismayed”by the“unexpected and, so far, unexplained actions”taken since Parton’s death on August 25.
The statement went further, saying they“refuse to be intimidated by those whose actions we believe are being taken in bad faith and with the intent to profit from the life of someone who willingly gave so much.”They added that they remain“unshakably resolved”to fulfill what they call Parton’s final directive: protecting her family. Reports also note the termination letter does not remove Seaver’s personal interest in Parton’s trust.
It’s a painful twist for someone who was so central to how fans experienced the loss. Seaver announced Parton’s death in an Instagram video, something he said she had asked him to do years earlier. Parton was buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum beside her late husband, Carl Dean Thomas. With her manager Danny Nozell and cousin Richie Owens also part of the picture, the fight over her legacy is now playing out in public.
Where do you land on this: should family or management be the ones protecting a legend’s legacy? Tell us in the comments.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.