January 19, 1946 – August 25, 2026
Singer, Songwriter, Businesswoman, Actress, Author, Philanthropist
This week I have been touched and inspired by the outpouring of love and remembrances of Dolly Parton. There have been condolences, stories, interviews, memories, pictures, and videos shared. Amazingly, I have not read or heard one negative comment about Dolly. She knew from a young age that Jesus loved her and lived out her belief that, “We’re supposed to love one another and love our neighbor as ourselves. It doesn’t take much to be kind.” Her faith, songs, talent, and ways she loved and treated others made a difference for Dolly and those she encountered.
The evening of Parton’s death, the lights of the Empire State Building and Willis Tower were turned off. At 9:25 the lights came on sparkling pink, to honor Dolly and her song “9 to 5.”
On August 26, 2026, the Band of the Coldstream Guards played a brass band arrangement of Dolly Parton’s song “9 to 5” outside of Buckingham Palace, in London. The song was played during the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
Quotes:
“We grew up knowing Jesus loved us and through God all thinks are possible. So, I’ve carried that all the way through my life and gathered a lot of strength from that as well.”
“Every single day, before I do anything, I wake up and I thank God. I always pray that he’ll let me uplift mankind and glorify him. That’s my mission in life.”
“Every day I ask God to lead me and direct me and to bring all the right things and people into my life, take all the wrong things out, and I just go with confidence
“I believe that God helps me, leads me. I know God is real because I talk to him every day. We need to believe in something bigger and better than ourselves. It gives us hope. It gives us strength.”
“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then you are an excellent leader.”
“Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”
While filming “Steel Magnolias,” Julia Roberts asked Dolly why she wasn’t complaining about the heat. Dolly replied, “When I was a little girl, I wanted to be famous and I wanted to be rich, and now I’m both those things. I’m not going to complain about it.”
“I count my blessings more than my money.”
“You are enough. And anyone who tells you otherwise isn’t worth your time.”
“A rhinestone shines just as good as a diamond.”
“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”
“I’m the little engine that did.”
“Never ignore your roots, your home or your hair.”
“To thine own self be true… Find out who you are and do it on purpose. And do it with purpose.”
“If you see someone without a smile today, give ‘em yours.”
“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.”
“If I’m remembered for 100 years from now, I hope it will be not for my looks but for books.”
“Until God says stop, I’ll keep going.”
A few of Dolly’s projects:
In 1986, Dollywood was opened because Dolly wanted her people to have good jobs without having to leave the mountains. Today it is still one of the largest employers in the region. Workers are given 100% of the cost of tuition, books, and fees, if they want to pursue higher education.
The dropout rate in Sevier County, Tennessee, had risen to 35% , in 1988. Dolly met with all the 7th and 8th graders and offered a challenge. They were to each choose a buddy to hold them accountable. If they both graduated, Dolly promised to write them a check for $500. If one didn’t graduate, neither received the check. The checks were written and handed to the graduates by Dolly. The dropout rate went down to 6%. The next year she gave $500 to every student who enrolled in the local college.
In 1995, inspired by her dad who had never learned to read or write, Dolly started the Imagination Library in Sevier County, Tennessee. When a child was signed up, a high-quality book was mailed when they were born and then one book a month until their fifth birthday. What started in one Appalachian County soon expanded across Tennessee, the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. To date, Imagination Library has given more than 330 million books to encourage children to love reading.
In 2010, Dolly paid and did fundraisers to build LeConte Medical Center in her home county.
After the 2016 fires in Tennessee, Dolly gave each of the 900 families who lost a home $1,000 for five months. She then gifted each family an additional $5,000, for a total of $9 million.
What she wanted her legacy to be:
· A good person
· A giving person
· A talented person
· That I made the most of life
· When I stand before God, I want to be able to say, Lord, I used everything you gave me. I’ve done everything I could with everything I had and tried to do as much good as I can and have as much fun as I can.
· For my personal self, to have other people have fun at my expense.
· So I just want to be remembered as a good-hearted person and being the Book Lady.
Well done, Dolly. You did it… and so much more.
We will also leave a legacy one day. May we, too, be kind, encourage others, and use the gifts, talents, and resources God has given us to bless and make life better for others.
Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12
