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A resolution recognizing the life and legacy of Dolly Parton.
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WHEREAS, Dolly Parton – a country music legend, renowned songwriter, incomparable philanthropist and businesswoman, and treasure of Nashville and the state of Tennessee – died on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in Nashville; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Parton was a child of the Great Smoky Mountains, born in a log room cabin with 11 siblings in East Tennessee. Her faith and love of music propelled her from those humble roots and set her towards success; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Parton was a person deeply led by her faith and guided throughout her life by a profound belief in kindness, compassion, and love for all people; and she openly supported the LGBTQIA+ community, including advocating for equality and acceptance, and stood in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and the pursuit of racial justice, reflecting her enduring belief that every person deserves dignity, respect, and the opportunity to live freely and authentically; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Parton set course for Nashville on the day after graduating from Sevier County High School in 1964, where she quickly met Carl Dean, who became her husband of more than 58 years; and
WHEREAS, her voice, wit, and charisma quickly set her apart on Music Row, leading to several hit records like “Dumb Blonde”, “Coat of Many Colors", and “My Tennessee Mountain Home”, and a role on The Porter Wagoner Show, where she stayed for seven years; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Parton eventually went on her path, leaving the television program and building even more success with songs including “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You”, and
WHEREAS, Ms. Parton quickly broke through on a national scale as she moved among genres of music seamlessly, collaborated with iconic artists, and played timeless roles in films such as “9 to 5” and “Steel Magnolias”; and
WHEREAS, even in her stardom, Dolly never forgot her Tennessee home. In 1986, she established the Dollywood theme park through a business part...
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