Dolly Parton<\/strong><\/a> offered heartfelt words to her friend and fellow musician Kelly Clarkson<\/strong><\/a> following the death of Clarkson\u2019s ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n During an interview with Entertainment Tonight<\/a> published on Tuesday, August 12, the country music icon gave Clarkson, 43, a message that drew on insight gathered after Parton\u2019s husband, Carl Dean<\/strong>, passed away at the age of 82 earlier this year.<\/p>\n \u201cI think you just have to be grateful for the years that you\u2019ve had with someone and you just try to remember the very best of all that,\u201d Parton, 79, said. \u201cTake their energy that they have given you \u2026 and kinda just recycle that and let that become a part of you.\u201d<\/p>\n Parton, who was married to Dean for more than 60 years, continued, \u201cJust honor their memory and just know they\u2019re in a better place than we are these days.\u201d (No official cause of death was announced by Parton.)<\/p>\n Kelly Clarkson\u2019s Ex-Husband Brandon Blackstock\u2019s Cause of Death Revealed After Cancer Battle<\/a><\/p>\n Parton added that while she is yet to personally reach out to Clarkson, she will \u201ccatch up with her\u201d once she\u2019s wrapped promotional duties around the release of her book \u201cStar of the Show: My Life on Stage.\u201d<\/p>\n Us Weekly confirmed<\/a> on Monday, August 11, that Blackstock passed away as a result of melanoma, a form of skin cancer. His death at the age of 48 was confirmed by a rep for the family who said in a Thursday, August 7, statement that Blackstock \u201cbravely battled cancer for more than three years.\u201d<\/p>\n Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson<\/span> Steve Granitz\/WireImage<\/span><\/p>\n The statement also noted that Blackstock \u201cpassed away peacefully and was surrounded by family.\u201d<\/p>\n One day prior to the family\u2019s announcement, Clarkson, who was married to Blackstock from 2013 to 2022 and shared daughter River, 11, and son Remington, 9, with him, informed fans of her ex-husband\u2019s ailing health and paused her Las Vegas residency.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas,\u201d Clarkson said in an Instagram statement on August 6. \u201cWhile I normally keep my personal life private, this past year, my children\u2019s father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them. I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.\u201d<\/p>\n Blackstock\u2019s stepmother, Reba McEntire<\/strong>, broke her silence<\/a> on the tragedy while responding to a Friday, August 8, Instagram tribute shared by her son, Shelby Blackstock<\/strong>. (McEntire, 70, shares Shelby with her ex Narvel Blackstock<\/strong>.)<\/p>\n<\/span><\/div>\n