Dressed in black, Dolly Parton smiles broadly as she holds the Woodrow Wilson glass and metal trophy she received in 2008.

Like many people, I was sad to read news that Dolly Parton died in Nashville, Tennessee yesterday, August 25, 2026, at the age of eighty years old.

From the obituary on her website:

A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family.
Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, kindness, and resilience.
With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.
Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.

Late last evening, her publicist announced Parton died from cancer.

Reading news stories and blog posts about her life, most highlight her accomplishments as a singer, actress, playwright, songwriter, and entrepreneur.

What I remember and admire about Parton was her:

Christian faith, which she lived out daily. She knew her Bible stories and didn’t use the Bible or her Christianity to attack or judge people.
Philanthropy, through her Dollywood Foundation and her 30+ year-old Imagination Library which has gifted over 330 million books (as of Aug 2026) to more than three million children (from birth to five years old) in five countries
Personal kindness and empathy when talking with, inspiring, and helping people

This week I’m spending time watching and listening to Parton’s performances on YouTube.

And checking which Parton movies and books are available from Bookshop or my local library.

I’m thankful for my friend Virginia DeBolt’s three reviews of Dolly Parton’s films.

Today I learned Parton recorded an unreleased song in 2015. With instructions for it to be kept in a sealed box until January 19, 2046, which would have marked her 100th birthday.

The song “My Place in History” was recorded on a CD. Parton was prepared for technology challenges.

She included a CD player inside the sealed box to ensure the CD could be played on it.

Rest in peace, Dolly Parton.

You were a light for people around the world. Your impact will live on for years.

Photo credit: Public domain photo by Union20 at English Wikipedia Creative Commons 0 1.0

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Remembering Dolly Parton