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Dolly Parton – “We will always love YOU”
Dolly Parton spent 80 years proving that enormous success did not have to make a person hard, cynical or self-important. She came from almost nothing, built an extraordinary life on talent, determination and a very sharp business sense, and then used much of what she earned to help others.
Dolly’s Official Family Statement:
“With heavy hearts, the Dollywood family mourns the passing of our beloved Dreamer-in-Chief, Dolly Parton. Everyone at Dollywood shares the sorrow of countless people around the world touched by Dolly’s warmth, wisdom and generous spirit.
Dolly’s heartfelt wish was that Dollywood always remain a place of joy, hope and togetherness—a space where families and friends could honor her memory, not with silence, but with laughter, music and shared dreams.
“The greatest privilege of my life has been helping Dolly bring her dreams to life at Dollywood,” said Eugene Naughton, Dollywood Parks & Resorts President. “Dolly’s heart was as vast as the mountains she cherished, and her compassion knew no bounds. She inspired generations to dream boldly and love deeply. While we grieve her loss, we are honored and committed to carry her light forward. Her legacy will continue to shine in every melody sung, every smile shared and every dream kindled within these gates.”
Dolly’s enduring legacy extends beyond her music and generosity to her remarkable work ethic—an inspiration to people everywhere. In her spirit, Dollywood will be open Wednesday as Dolly wanted, always reminding everyone with her signature sparkle — “the show must go on.” Together, we honor her by carrying forward her message of love, perseverance, and hope.
Dolly’s medical condition and cause of death has only been said to be “a brief battle with cancer”. As she stepped back from public appearances to deal with her health issues she said, “I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” she said. Carl died at 82 in 2025, after being ill for some time.
Her brother, Denver, died at 82 last week from cancer.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver said – “Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”
Honoring Dolly – Rhode Island had its own Dolly memories
Those wishing to give in honor of Dolly may consider making a gift to the organization she was so deeply passionate about – Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Perhaps nowhere was her spirit clearer than in her Imagination Library, which has put millions of books into the hands of young children simply to encourage them to read, dream and imagine.
“When I was growing up in the hills of East Tennessee, I knew my dreams would come true. I know there are children in your community with their own dreams. They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows, maybe there is a little girl whose dream is to be a writer and singer. The seeds of these dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.”
Rhode Island’s only Imagination Library is in Newport at the MLK Center.
“Today, we celebrate the remarkable life of Dolly Parton” said Heather Hole Strout, Executive Director of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center. “Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time. Beyond her incredible musical legacy, she leaves the lasting impact of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the non-profit book-gifting program she founded 31 years ago. Because of her, over 3 million young children across five countries have received books each month. Dolly’s generosity inspired the Bazarsky Family Foundation to bring the program to the MLK Community Center where over 5,000 Newport County children have benefited. Thank you, Dolly. The world will never forget you.”
In 2019 Dolly shocked and delighted fans with a historic, surprise appearance at the Newport Folk Festival during its 60th anniversary. It remains celebrated as one of the most legendary, unannounced moments in the festival’s history. She told the crowd, “Me and Rhode Island have a lot in common — we’re little, but we’re loud!” A year later, her Imagination Library took root in Newport. Newport Hospital also became part of that effort, sending newborns home with a book and information for families to enroll in the program.
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Her death closes a remarkable American life, but the music, the laughter, the books placed in children’s hands — and the belief that a child’s imagination is worth investing in — will be around for a very long time.
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President Trump ordered US flags to be flown at half mast for one week in Dolly’s honor – and issued this statement: Presidential Statement – “As a mark of respect for the memory of Dolly Parton, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, September 1, 2026. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half‑staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.”
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library