A few days ago, we all experienced one of those moments you never forget.
Where was I when I heard about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy? In a 2nd grade classroom. A very solemn principal walked in to inform our teacher, who began sobbing.
Where was I when Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated? In my family’s store. It was a Thursday night, near closing time. I was watching TV when NBC interrupted “Daniel Boone” with the news bulletin.
Where was I when Elvis Presley died? Doing some college homework in my bedroom. I turned on the radio, and every station was playing Elvis songs. I soon found out why.
On August 25, 2026, I was in the newsroom making small talk with a co-worker at around 2:00 in the afternoon. Our website supervisor suddenly blurted out, “Dolly Parton died.” Several of us responded, “What did you say?” Surely, he didn’t say what we thought he said. He repeated it, word for word. Almost in unison, we asked, “Are you sure? Where did you see that?” When the sad news was confirmed, we began sending reporters to Ringgold, Georgia and to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to cover various angles of the story. We knew Dolly had been ailing, but we never imagined a world without her.
The next morning, reality began to settle in as I watched the TV news coverage and read various online accounts of her life and death, as well as tributes ranging from regular folks to world leaders.
What made Dolly special? The singer Jelly Roll put it quite well on the night of her death, during his guest-host stint on the Jimmy Kimmel show. “Dolly Parton,” he said, “might be the last American that everyone liked.”
That may be an exaggeration, but not by much. I was struck by the reaction of my young co-workers, many of them barely out of college. “Dolly was like our ideal grandmother,” one of them told me. Another, fighting back tears, said, “My little niece has been getting books in the mail from Dolly ever since she was a baby.” “I love her Christmas movies,” a young reporter said. “I’m just now learning about all the songs she wrote. She was amazing.”
Those of us who have followed Dolly since her “girl singer” days on Porter Wagoner’s show have a deeper appreciation of her career. We saw her blossom in movies like “9 to 5” and “Steel Magnolias. We enjoyed watching her trade quips with Johnny Carson and David Letterman. The late-night hosts took good-natured jabs at her wigs and her hourglass figure. Unlike some celebrities who can’t take a joke, Dolly laughed and responded with some one-liners of her own. “Y’all have no idea,” she would say, “how much money it costs me to look this cheap!” And we watched with admiration as this country girl opened the theme park of her dreams, creating a billion-dollar empire that fueled her philanthropy.
Why did everyone love Dolly? Some might say, “Well, she didn’t take sides politically.” That’s true, up to a point. If you really paid attention when she spoke, and how she shared her fortune, you knew what she stood for. Diversity, equality, fairness, compassion, and acceptance. She had strong views, but didn’t force them on anyone.
Early in the COVID-19 outbreak, she spent $1 million of her own money to advance the development of the Moderna vaccine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. It wasn’t widely publicized at the time, but she certainly deserves part of the credit for helping save many lives.
When asked why she had collaborated with ultra-conservative singer Kid Rock on a song, Dolly’s response was just what you would expect from a decent human being. “I don’t condemn or criticize. I just accept and love.” Try to imagine any political candidate saying those words in our current environment.
It’s now a post-Dolly world. Are there any other celebrities who lift and inspire people like Dolly did? Could anyone else elicit the outpouring of love we saw in the aftermath of Dolly’s death? My email is RadioTV2020@yahoo.com. I’ll share your thoughts, and mine, in an upcoming column.
Dolly was the true example of JOY her love for Jesus was first, her strong faith, Others came second and You , herself last. She didn’t judge she just showed love for everyone and she gave so much to the world and she didn’t change because of her wealth or fame. Her Tennessee roots she was raised with stayed with her and she gave/showed the world the meaning of her faith, compassion , laughter, music, storytelling are just a few legacy she left behind. Go fly high on that mountain.
There was no one like Dolly & never will be. She was the most giving singer, writer & actress we will ever have. We should thank Carl Dean for sharing her with the world. No one in our lifetime will ever achieve what Dolly did for all of us. Pure Joy
My experience as a “common” young attractive southern woman included being “sexualized” and discounted. Dolly turned the tables on the ethic that proclaimed “sit down and look pretty, Honey/Sweetheart/Little Darlin”. I am madly in love with her truck stop sign that shows the trucker’s icon of a reclining buxom female —with a microphone. She OWNED it.
Dolly grew up knowing that God loves everyone and she wanted to love like Him. I’m guessing when she left home for Nashville, she purposed in her heart to honor God by using the gifts she’d been given. She knew she would always need His help in a world that seemed too grand for a small town dreamer like her.
So Dolly wrote the beautiful truths that filled her heart and sang about real people and real problems. She sang about love and devotion with such joy and honesty, we all became her friends.
Then Dolly did what true friends are known to do. She gave back blessing upon blessing with no strings attached. Helping, serving, sharing goodness wherever she went. Pretty much, loving as God loves!
The only celebrity that comes to mind would be Elton John. Internationally famous.
He has stayed relevant and popular across multiple generations. He promotes new young artists on his radio show. And of course all his philanthropic work especially with AIDS research.
His music got me through some tough times.
But at this point in time or maybe ever will there be another celebrity, Dolly,
that has meant so much to so many.
Her passing is devastating.
In a world so divided, the only one person who would elicit such worldwide acclaim and sorrow would be the Pope.
Pretty good company…
There just aren’t enough words to describe Dolly Parton’s love of others, her generosity, her enormous talent, her kindness, her humbleness and her great big, beautiful heart!! There has never been nor will there ever be another Dolly!! She never was egotistical or walked into a room like she was better than other people! Dolly was genuine & so down to earth & made everyone she met feel so at ease & important. I guess to sum it up…Dolly was already an “angel” walking here on earth & God just loaned her to us for 80 years!! When Dolly entered through those gates of Heaven, she was given the most beautiful set of golden wings imaginable!!🙏🙏❤❤ Fly & sing beautiful Angel…..fly and sing!!
Dolly Parton was the real thing! In a tiny body there was a giant of a heart! She loved and showed love every second of the day. When thinking about that smile that sincere personality I can with joy know she inspired me and many many others. If I can show 1/8th of the love and light that Dolly did I would be happy! When you see a butterfly now and the delicate wings flutter…remember that’s Dolly! Life is like a butterfly….If Dolly said it…you can know its true.
Dolly conquered the world with her ability to draw people to her. Her honesty and just the sweetness in the way she spoke, her laughter and love of God and fellowman. One of the few who will be remembered by a first name. Dolly you made the world a better place and I am so sorry that you are no longer in it. Rest easy little Dolly in her coat of many colors. My favorite Dolly song.