Dolly Parton's mother is remembered by a family member as a good woman. Avie had 12 children including country music star Dolly Parton. She was born in South Carolina. Like her children, she was also known to sing and play guitar and released two albums of her own in 1990 called "Smoky Mountain Mama". Her heritage was also musical. Her Father, the Rev. Jake Owens, a fiddler, wrote "Singing His Praise," recorded by Kitty Wells. It was her brother Bill, who gave Dolly an acoustic guitar when she was only 7 and got her on a radio show on WIVK in Knoxville, TN. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Lee Parton; son, Larry Parton; parents, the Rev. Jake and Rena (Valentine) Owens; sister, Estelle Watson and brother-in-law Dot Watson; and brothers, Lester Owens and John Henry Owens. Survivors include her children and spouses, Willadeene Parton, David and Kay Parton, Denver and Carolyn Parton, Dolly and Carl Dean, Bobby and Angie Parton, Stella Parton, Cassie and Scott King, Randy and Deb Parton, Freida Parton, Floyd Parton, and Rachel and Eric George; grandchildren, Mitchell Blalock, Donna Lashlee, Dena Bell, Chris Parton, Jennifer Linkous, Clint Parton, Danielle Prince, Bryan and Rebecca Seaver, Tim Rauhoff, Tever and Heidi Lou Parton, Jada Anderson, Hannah Dennison; great-grandchildren, Jordan Bell, Jared Bell Ian Parton, Lucas Townsand; sister, Dorothy Jo Owens; brothers and sister-in-law, Lewis and Colleen Owens, Bill and Sandy Owens; and several nieces and nephews and special friends.

Here is Avie's Obituary: Avie Lee Owens Parton, age 80 of Sevierville died Friday December 5, 2003. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Lee Parton.; son, Larry Parton; parents, Rev. Jake and Rena (Valentine) Owens; sister, Estelle Watson and brother-in-law Dot Watson; brothers, Lester Owens and John Henry Owens Survivors: Children and Spouses: Willadeene Parton David and Kay Parton Denver and Carolyn Parton Dolly and Carl Dean Bobby and Angie Parton Stella Parton Cassie and Scott King Randy and Deb Parton Freida Parton Floyd Parton Rachel and Eric George Grandchildren: Mitchell Blalock Donna Lashlee Dena Bell Chris Parton Jennifer Linkous Clint Parton Danielle Prince Bryan and Rebecca Seaver Tim Rauhoff Tever and Heidi Lou Parton Jada Andersen Hannah Dennison Great grandchildren: Jordan Bell Jared Bell Ian Parton Lucas Townsend Sister: Dorothy Jo Owens Brothers and sisters-in-law: Lewis and Colleen Owens Bill and Sandy Owens Alden and Barbara Owens Several nieces and nephews and special friends The family will receive friends 6-9 PM Monday at Atchley Funeral Home in Sevierville. (www.atchleyfuneralhome.com)