DOLLY PARTON (1946-2026) WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU!
Nashville, Tennessee (JFK+50) Yesterday, August 25, 2026, the 'Queen of Country Music' Dolly Rebecca Parton* passed away here in Music City at the age of 80.
Bryan Seaver, son of Dolly's sister Cassie, said...
"By her example, we believed that anything was possible. She never saw a door she couldn't open and doors she opened made and changed history."
Born near Sevierville, Tennessee, in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Dolly will be honored today as the Sevier County Court House will toll its 1896 bell at noon.
REST IN PEACE, DOLLY!
JFK+50 NOTE
Our tribute today is minor compared to the multitude of ones made in the press and online since the announcement yesterday of Dolly's death but we want to pay our respects to an icon of the world and a daughter of East Tennessee.
I was born 2 years after Dolly's birth, in Knoxville, just a short distance from Dolly's birthplace in Sevier County. My grandmother was born in Sevierville & moved to South Knox County as a child.
Our daughter was born the year after Dollywood opened and spent many enjoyable days visiting the theme park. Jennifer grew up loving Dolly and is very saddened by her passing.
My neighbor growing up along Chapman Highway worked at his Dad's gas station and Dolly would stop and fill up on her way back & forth from Sevierville and Knoxville. We watched Dolly perform on the local Cas Walker Farm & Home Hour morning television program.
I've always been proud to be an East Tennessean but sensitive to my Southern accent. Dolly did not run away from her roots, but honored them. She made us proud to be who we are. She will never be forgotten. We will always love you, Dolly!
*Dolly Rebecca Parton (1946-2026) was born in Pittman Center, Sevier County, Tennessee and became a singer/songwriter actress & businesswoman. DRP earned 11 Grammys & 3 Emmy Awards selling over 100 million records & writing more than 3000 songs.
Her Dollywood Foundation set out to improve educational opportunities for the children of Sevier County, TN & her Imagination Library provides books to 850,000 children each month.
SOURCE
"Dolly leaves mighty legacy," by Devarrick Turner, The Knoxville News Sentinel, Knoxville, Tennessee, August 26, 2026, www.knoxnews.com/
