A memorial tribute to Dolly Parton at her star outside the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, photographed shortly after her death was announced on Aug. 25, 2026
You don’t have to be a fan of country music to love Dolly Parton.
That’s the sentiment being echoed across Nashville by fans, music industry executives, politicians and more as they mourn the Tennessee icon known for her kindness, philanthropy and humanitarianism just as equally she was known for hits like “9 to 5” and “Jolene,” among dozens of others. Parton died of cancer Aug. 25 at age 80.
The Tennessee icon died peacefully Tuesday in Nashville
In Nashville, flags flew at half staff while the Metro Courthouse and Korean War Veterans Bridge lit up pink the night of Aug. 25 in remembrance of Parton, the singer who was born into poverty in East Tennessee’s portion of Appalachia before rising to fame as a country singer-songwriter.
The Grand Ole Opry is dedicating its Aug. 29 show to Parton, who first played on the venerable program at 13 years old.
"Every member of the Grand Ole Opry family has a Dolly story, as does everyone around the world who was ever in her orbit,” Dan Rogers, senior vice president and executive producer at the Opry, says in a statement. “That’s just one of the things that made her so special. For more than 50 years as an Opry member, she used her talent and success to bring sheer joy to millions. To every artist, she provided inspiration beyond measure. To every fan, she connected in a way that made each of us feel like the most important person in the room. Her impact will live on forever as we all carry forward the kindness, compassion and generosity she shared throughout her life. Dolly always knew exactly what to say. I’m afraid the best I have on this terribly sad day is a genuine, heartfelt, 'Thank you for everything, Dolly. We sure do love you.'”
Sarah Trahern, outgoing CEO of the Country Music Association, remembers Parton for both her music and philanthropic endeavors. Among the best known is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which has provided more than 332 million free books to children across the globe.
“At the end of the day, few artists define Country Music better,” Trahern says in a statement. “Over her decades-long career, I worked with her on a number of programs. She was always the most professional in every setting, often walking off the bus in heels and hair and makeup ready to go, before expected and before the cast and crew. However, along with the music, our biggest loss today is her work as a philanthropist and the genuine difference she has made in people’s lives throughout the world. There will only ever be one Dolly.”
"Dolly Parton’s legacy is not celebrity, but humanity," concurs Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, in his statement. "She was a champion of equality and literacy. She was a picture of dignity, even when dressed outrageously. Anyone who seeks to be more like Dolly is on the right track, but they’ll never get to the finish line. She came from poverty to become the most important native of Tennessee. She shared her fortunes for the good of all of us, and shared her soul in every note she sang."
Gary and Cameron Simms and Shawn Carney, all of Columbia, lay flowers down at a makeshift memorial at Dolly Parton’s star outside of Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hours after Parton’s death was announced, Aug. 25, 2026
Gary and Cameron Simms and Shawn Carney — all of Columbia, Tenn. — gathered at Parton’s star outside Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame on Tuesday, hours after her death, to place flowers at a growing makeshift memorial.
“I’ve been collecting Dolly Parton for 43 years,” Carney said, sporting a Dolly shirt, hat, purse and leg tattoo. “I’ve followed her around and seen her 56 times in concert. I’ve been a lifelong fan, and it’s just devastating.”
Nashvillians have also flocked to several murals across the city featuring Parton to remember the star’s life and legacy. One of those murals adorns an outer wall of Five Points music venue The 5 Spot. Visible from the counter at neighboring vintage clothing store Hip Zipper, the mural is now decorated with dozens of flowers and candles honoring Parton.
When the Scene stopped by on Aug. 26, Evelynn Douglas was on duty at Hip Zipper. She was wearing a Dolly Parton T-shirt.
“It’s been both unifying and painful,” says Douglas. “Everybody's kind of feeling it, but in a weird way, it's brought a lot of people together.”
Douglas is from East Tennessee and says she has always looked up to Parton.
“She's just always been an idol to me,” she says. “Growing up in East Tennessee especially, you just see her fingerprints everywhere. She's changed that area for the better in so many ways, and really helped the community. She grew up in such poverty, and she's trying her best to make sure nobody else goes through what she went through. … There's just so many people who have reached her level of success that forgot what it feels like, but she's never forgotten.”
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Parton’s commitment to community may be one of the reasons behind the unusually unifying nature of grief for her passing that Douglas mentions. Politicians from across the spectrum have paid tribute to Parton. Republican Gov. Bill Lee made the call to fly flags at half staff in honor of “Tennessee’s favorite daughter.” State Sen. Jessie Seal (R-New Tazewell) is proposing legislation to make Sept. 25 “9 to 5 Day” in Parton’s honor. Former Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen’s statement praises her legacy, especially the Imagination Library: “Her songs will be played and loved for a very long time, but the legacy of her life I most admire is the millions of children who will learn to love books because of Dolly’s vision and generosity.”
Noting that “9 to 5” is one of the first songs he can remember memorizing the lyrics to, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell points out the huge variety of ways Parton touched lives. He mentions the impact of both her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge and the Imagination Library on his own daughters: “For each of the girls, there was a tearful moment upon receiving what we knew would be the last book from Dolly, letting each of them know they were ready for kindergarten.”
As one might expect, heaps of musicians are paying tribute to Parton. Not only has her extraordinary songwriting and singing been a profound influence, but her kindness and generosity of spirit outside the limelight are themes repeated again and again.
Dolly Parton fans mourn her passing, adding flowers and other mementos to a growing memorial at the gates of her Brentwood home the day after her death, Aug. 26, 2026
“Her voice could cut through the room like the crack of a whip and demand attention — just take a listen to her ball-busting rendition of Jimmie Rodgers' 'Mule Skinner Blues,’” observes Margo Price in her Substack newsletter Rawdoggin’ Reality, alongside an account of her dress getting stuck to Parton’s during a photo session. “But Dolly’s voice could also be as soft and tender as the gentle kiss of a butterfly. Take a listen to 'A Few Old Memories' from her album The Grass Is Blue and let her carry you away from this world of pain for a moment on her wings.”
Gillian Welch writes on Instagram about a brush with Parton from well before she became famous herself. The star gave Welch some much-needed kind words after a stomach bug absolutely wrecked her 10th birthday party: “She stood in the open doorway with the full force of the Southern California sun blazing behind her, making a radiant halo of her platinum hair. She looked like an angelic visitation in casual denim. She had come over to rehearse a musical number for a TV show she was doing with my parents. With the utmost tenderness and understanding she said, ‘Oh honey, I heard you were sick and your party was all ruined. I’m so sorry.’”
Allison Russell wrote a poem in Parton’s memory that serves as a fitting epitaph: “You cherished ALL Wildflowers / Of every shape and stripe and hue / You loved us all as Equals,” it reads in part. “In these Days of Violent Fracture / In this Season of Our Discontent / We stand at last United, at least on this one Truth / Dolly Parton, we will always, always, love you too.”
Matt Masters contributed reporting to this story.
Fans Pay Tribute to Dolly Parton
Fans gather at several locations to remember the late, great country singer-songwriter and beloved philanthropist, who died Tuesday, Aug. 25, at age 80
Gary and Cameron Simms and Shawn Carney, all of Columbia, lay flowers down at a makeshift memorial at Dolly Parton’s star outside of Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hours after Parton’s death was announced, Aug. 25, 2026
