Dolly Parton thanks fans for support after brother Floyd's death

Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Dolly Parton is grateful for fans' support in the wake of her brother Floyd's death.

The 72-year-old country start spoke out in a statement Tuesday on Twitter after her youngest brother, Floyd Parton, died at age 61 last week.

"Dolly, and the entire Parton Family, wish to thank everyone for their kindness," Parton said. "Yesterday, we laid our sweet baby brother to rest. 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."

"Friends, fans and family may make a donation in his honor to the My People Senior Activity Center in Sevierville, Tennessee," she added.

Floyd, one of Parton's 11 siblings, was a singer-songwriter who wrote the songs "Rocking Years" and "Nickels and Dimes." He died Thursday, Dec. 6, according to his obituary on the Atchley Funeral Home website.

"A renaissance man, Floyd was 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 tribute reads.

Floyd is survived by Parton and their siblings Rachel, Willadeene, Stella, Cassie, Freida, David, Coy, Denver, Bobby and Randy. A 13th sibling, Larry, died shortly after his birth in 1955.