Dean was famously private and would seldom appear in public, let alone with his famous wife. But Parton said he would come to her theme park, standing in line to buy a ticket just like other visitors to Dollywood. “He didn’t want somebody giving him a ticket ‘cause he was Dolly’s husband,” she said.

Dolly Parton surprises fans by showing up in public for the annual opening of Dollywood. 'I need to laugh ... I’ve been crying enough' since husband Carl died.

It’s a hole in my heart,” Dolly Parton said of losing her husband. But she cherishes the funny Dollywood memories he left behind.