Besides her music, her most important legacy is the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Thousands, if not missions of young children get a free book every month. It’s a wonderful program.
Thank you. I grew up in Sevierville, Tennessee and knew many of Dolly’s family but never met her. She was light in a dark world. She did so much for my hometown such as Dollywood and so much more that nobody will ever know because she did it without fanfare. A tremendous loss for my hometown and the world 🩵😢
Wow—your family has been coming to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/ Sevierville for many years. Yes I have played mini golf at Hilbilly Golf. Dolly grew up in the same community as my Mom. We went to the same high school but she was 14 years older than I so not at the same time. I do have a picture of her from elementary school where she went with some of my cousins 🥰.
So true. We have been in orbit around East Tenn and the park since the mid 90s when its expansion really kicked in. The impact she had on that region likewise cannot be overstated. She never forgot where she came from and always gave back out of her abundance.
Her legacy will be her generosity in giving books to others. She allowed thousands of children the opportunity to open their imaginations. Hopefully, it will continue.
I expect there are others besides me thinking, "That cannot be, she was going to be here forever." Well maybe she will be, albeit only as her voice, and the ripples from her good deeds.
I’m so thankful to have seen her in concert twice and had a Dolly “sighting” at Dollywood. If anyone is not heartbroken about this news, they lack a heart. She will forever be the angel we all need to strive to be. RIP Dolly. We miss you
Dolly was a true American original and talented beyond belief! She was generous and kind in spirit, with Dollywood, with her free book program for children and countless other ways she helped. I was fortunate to see her in concert and hear her sing live, I won’t forget it. The angels have their songbird now.
She left us a sense of possibility. Just because we are A doesn’t mean we are also B. She lived an open- hearted life. I’m sure she lived through her share of pain but she directed her sentiments out into the world as love, as welcome, as kindness, as sunshiny glitter and a song to sing together. She makes us all smile. Here is a hero.
I think of Dolly Parton as humble, in the very best sense of the word. She knew she had many talents and she knew (or learned) how to take advantage of them, but always in the best sense of recognizing that for those to whom much is given, much is expected in return. She knew firsthand the inherent dignity and value present within all people and the respect and care — indeed love — that we owe one another. She lived her life fully with that in mind. She is, almost certainly, one of the most significant people of our era and definitely one of the most consequential Tennesseans of all time.
I am a former librarian and country musician who currently works on behalf of low-income families with young kids thanks to philanthropy. Dolly Parton has been influential in my life across all three of those domains. I guess if the best thing you can do is leave the world with a song (or hundreds), stories, and a good example, you've accomplished a lot. Last night I was reading Frankenstein to my daughter. The creature is right to marvel at the ability to translate human experiences and emotions into song, which then provokes new emotions and experiences. May the circle be unbroken.
Your words sum her up John, Dolly was a giver, a person who took care of her own and everybody else. She brought joy to others and that will continue forever. I will miss her.
Thanks for the reminder, John. I’ve never been to Dollywood, but it makes me happy to know she created that place for her people. Her reading program was my favorite thing to love about Dolly. That, and everything else that she was to us. I hope there are no bras in heaven, Dolly. Be free. Thanks for all you left us with.
Besides her music, her most important legacy is the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Thousands, if not missions of young children get a free book every month. It’s a wonderful program.
Millions
Thank you. I grew up in Sevierville, Tennessee and knew many of Dolly’s family but never met her. She was light in a dark world. She did so much for my hometown such as Dollywood and so much more that nobody will ever know because she did it without fanfare. A tremendous loss for my hometown and the world 🩵😢
Do you know Hillbilly Golf? My in-laws honeymooned in the cabin that was there before.
Wow—your family has been coming to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/ Sevierville for many years. Yes I have played mini golf at Hilbilly Golf. Dolly grew up in the same community as my Mom. We went to the same high school but she was 14 years older than I so not at the same time. I do have a picture of her from elementary school where she went with some of my cousins 🥰.
Not a loss. Just a life well lived and honored.
A life well honored and well lived—but still a loss to so many of us who personally know her family— as she called us —“Her people”💔
So true. We have been in orbit around East Tenn and the park since the mid 90s when its expansion really kicked in. The impact she had on that region likewise cannot be overstated. She never forgot where she came from and always gave back out of her abundance.
Fast track to heaven. 😭😭😭😭😭
Just reading her Times obit.😢
During the pandemic, I always requested the Dolly vaccine/aka Moderna.
So lucky to have had her.
Please tell the Times staff that Dolly
Loved children so much that she invested in them through imagination station...
And loved people so much that she contributed to the research of the Moderna vaccine to be fast tracked...
Her wealth was in love of others...
A beautiful life...
Dolly Parton's was a blessing. She will be remembered fondly.
Her legacy will be her generosity in giving books to others. She allowed thousands of children the opportunity to open their imaginations. Hopefully, it will continue.
I expect there are others besides me thinking, "That cannot be, she was going to be here forever." Well maybe she will be, albeit only as her voice, and the ripples from her good deeds.
I’m so thankful to have seen her in concert twice and had a Dolly “sighting” at Dollywood. If anyone is not heartbroken about this news, they lack a heart. She will forever be the angel we all need to strive to be. RIP Dolly. We miss you
Dolly was a true American original and talented beyond belief! She was generous and kind in spirit, with Dollywood, with her free book program for children and countless other ways she helped. I was fortunate to see her in concert and hear her sing live, I won’t forget it. The angels have their songbird now.
She left us a sense of possibility. Just because we are A doesn’t mean we are also B. She lived an open- hearted life. I’m sure she lived through her share of pain but she directed her sentiments out into the world as love, as welcome, as kindness, as sunshiny glitter and a song to sing together. She makes us all smile. Here is a hero.
I think of Dolly Parton as humble, in the very best sense of the word. She knew she had many talents and she knew (or learned) how to take advantage of them, but always in the best sense of recognizing that for those to whom much is given, much is expected in return. She knew firsthand the inherent dignity and value present within all people and the respect and care — indeed love — that we owe one another. She lived her life fully with that in mind. She is, almost certainly, one of the most significant people of our era and definitely one of the most consequential Tennesseans of all time.
ABSOLUTELY!
I am a former librarian and country musician who currently works on behalf of low-income families with young kids thanks to philanthropy. Dolly Parton has been influential in my life across all three of those domains. I guess if the best thing you can do is leave the world with a song (or hundreds), stories, and a good example, you've accomplished a lot. Last night I was reading Frankenstein to my daughter. The creature is right to marvel at the ability to translate human experiences and emotions into song, which then provokes new emotions and experiences. May the circle be unbroken.
Your words sum her up John, Dolly was a giver, a person who took care of her own and everybody else. She brought joy to others and that will continue forever. I will miss her.
and donated millions so children could read! and wrote brilliant songs..and was an all around good person..she will be missed.
“And the good die young” I hope some of the wealthy make note and follow in her footsteps. What a beautiful heart we have lost!
Thanks for the reminder, John. I’ve never been to Dollywood, but it makes me happy to know she created that place for her people. Her reading program was my favorite thing to love about Dolly. That, and everything else that she was to us. I hope there are no bras in heaven, Dolly. Be free. Thanks for all you left us with.