The Family Tree of Dolly Parton

Country music legend Dolly Parton has had a career that spans several decades. But did you know that her family tree dates back to colonial America?

Dolly Parton’s Parents: Robert Lee Parton and Avielee Owens

Robert Lee Parton was born on March 22nd, 1921 in Sevier Country, Tennessee to William Walter Parton and Bessie Elizabeth Rayfield. Avielee Owens was born on October 5th, 1923 in Lockhart, South Carolina to Jacob Robert Owens and Rena Kansas Valentine. Robert and Avielee had 12 children during their marriage. At the outbreak of World War Two, Robert enlisted in the army. His draft card lists him as being 6 feet tall, weighing 150 pounds, having blue eyes and blonde hair, and a light complexion. It is not known if he ever served in active duty.

Robert died on November 12th, 2000 at age 79 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Avielee died on December 5th, 2003 at age 80. They are buried at Angel Hill Cemetery in Sevierville, Tennessee.

Paternal Grandparents: William Walter Parton and Bessie Rayfield

William Walter Parton was born on December 29th, 1888 in Tennessee to Albert Houston Parton and Tennessee Smith Russell. Bessie Elizabeth Rayfield was born on October 26th, 1898 in Sevierville, Tennessee. At the outbreak of World War One William and Bessie were living in Sevierville, Tennessee. On June 5th, 1917 William signed up for the draft, William was listed on his draft card as working in the logging industry and he and Bessie were married and had two children.

After the war William returned to the logging industry and according to the 1920 census, the two now had three children. By 1940 Walter left the logging industry and now owned his own farm in Tennessee.

Bessie died on June 26th, 1975 Sevierville, Tennessee at age 76. Walter died seven years later on November 15th 1982 at age 93.

Maternal Grandparents: Jacob Owens and Rena Kansas Valentine

Jacob Owens was born on July 25th, 1899 in Waynesville, North Carolina to James Robert Owens and Mary Melinda Messer. Rena Kansas Valentine was born on March 14th, 1902 in Tennessee to parents whose names are unknown. Jacob and Rena married in 1920 when Jacob was 20 and Rena was 17. According to the 1920 census they were living with Jacob’s family in Pinckney, South Carolina right after their marriage. By 1930 Jacob and Rena were living and working on their farm in Sevier, Tennessee, and 4 children, and by 1940 they had 8 children. Rena died on August 15th, 1968 at age 66 and Jacob died on May 13th, 1992 at age 92. They are both buried at Catons Chapel Cemetery in Sevierville, Tennessee.

Paternal Great-Grandparents: Albert Houston Parton and Tennessee Smith Russell

Albert Houston Parton was born in May of 1865 in Sevier County, Tennessee to Benjamin Chrisenberry Parton and Tennessee Smith Russell was born March 15, 1870, in Fines Creek, North Carolina to Lorenzo Dow Russell and Hannah Ellie Downs. Albert and Tennessee married in 1887 when Albert 22 and Tennessee was 17 and during their 42 year marriage, they had 10 children together. During their lives in Sevier County, Tennessee, Albert worked as a farmer and Tennessee was a homemaker. Albert died on May 11 1929 in Tennessee when he was 64 and Tennessee died November 27 1960 in Tennessee when she was 90.

Maternal Great-Grandparents: James Robert Owens and Mary Melinda Messer

James Robert Owens was born February 15 1877 in Haywood County, North Carolina. Mary Melinda Messer was born August 29 1880 in Waynesville, North Carolina to Issac Hugh Messer and Hannah Jane Conrad. James and Melinda married in 1898 when James was 21 and Mary was 17. During their marriage, they had 8 children together. James died May 3 1940 at age 63 and Melinda died November 28 1958 at age 78.

2x Great-Grandparents: Benjamin Chrisenberry Parton and Margaret Jane Evans

Benjamin Parton was born August 4 1832 in Georgia. Margaret Jane Evans was born April 29 1837 in Sevier County, Tennessee to Richard Evans and Catherine Emert. Benjamin and Margaret married in 1854 when he was 22 and she was 17 and they moved to Sevier County, Tennessee. During the outbreak of the United States Civil War, Tennessee joined the Confederacy. However, parts of northeast Tennessee, where Sevier County is located, remained loyal to the Union. On September 20 1863 Benjamin enlisted as part of Company K of the 11th Tennessee Cavalry. However, in December of that year, Benjamin was listed as a deserter and did not return until March 8 1865 after a proclamation from President Lincoln allowed deserters to return to their units without punishment except for withholding wages during their absence. The reason for Benjamin’s desertion is unknown. Shortly after Benjamin’s return, the 11th Tennessee Cavalry was consolidated into the 9th Tennessee Cavalry.

After the war, Benjamin and Margaret lived the remainder of their lives in Sevier County, Tennessee. Margaret died May 13 1915 at age 78 and Benjamin died July 6 1916 at age 83.

4x Great-Grandfather: Johan Frederick Emert

Johan Frederick Emert was born October 11 1754 in Richmond Township in colonial Pennsylvania to German immigrant parents.

During the outbreak of the American Revolution Johan was in his early 20s and enlisted as a Private in the Continental Army.

After the war, Johan and his family migrated south to what is now Sevier County Tennessee where Johan is now known the be the areas first settler. There is now a historical marker in honor of him in the area.

This information is especially significant to the Parton family as the family has stayed in the area which Johan founded for generations since he founded it.