Only a few weeks after the death of her beloved husband of over 50 years, Dolly Parton stepped out at the opening celebration of her revered theme park, Dollywood, as she does every year, putting on a brave face in the wake of the turmoil and grief she's surely facing after Carl Dean's passing at

To mourn the death of Dean, Parton stepped away from the public eye. Yesterday (March 14), the multiple CMA and Grammy Award-winner surprised supporters with her first appearance since Dean’s passing during the 40th season celebration for Dollywood theme park in Tennessee.

Dolly Parton first announced Carl Dean’s death in a March 3 Instagram post. "Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. He is survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie," the post read.