Dolly Parton, ‘doing better,’ after husband's death, reappears to open Dollywood: 'I need to laugh. I need some fun'

Dolly Parton told Knox News in an interview that she was 'at peace' with her husband Dean being at peace, but said, 'that don’t keep me from missing him and loving him'. Photo: TNS

As the Grand Ole Opry marked 100 years Wednesday night, Reba McEntire said what many people may have been thinking: The party wasn’t the same without Dolly Parton throwing down.

“It’s been a great night of celebration, but of course, it’s just not the same without you,” McEntire said to the country star, who per Today had appeared before the start of the show with a message on video. “Dolly, everybody here at the Opry and around the world wants to send you our thoughts and prayers. And you gotta know, we will always love you.”