We asked you for your memories of Dolly Parton, and your emails keep pouring in. Dolly was such a shining light in this world. Here are some of your Dolly memories.
“Thank you for the Imagination Library books for my granddaughter, born in 2013, who received your books in 2020. You will be missed but not forgotten.” – Priscilla F.
“She was the hallmark of grace and compassion in the industry with a huge heart, a smile, and a song for everyone. God bless Dolly, and may she be with her family during this time.” – Chris P.
Brooke T’s daughter drew a picture of Dolly, and her son brought a rock to leave at The 5 Spot Dolly mural after the news of her death. (Courtesy of Brooke T.)
“My daughter was almost three when the pandemic hit. She first knew Dolly as an angel who funded the vaccine that saved millions of lives and safeguarded hers.
We arrived in Nashville when she was four — just one month before her brother was born. Representatives of Dolly’s came to the hospital room where my son was born to register the kids in her Imagination Library, where they each got the gift of one book every month until they turned five.
My son just received his last book, and a special happy birthday and happy graduation video from Dolly.
We all know her and love her for different things. Wonderful things. She moved us all. What an incredible person and incredible life. The very definition of leaving the campsite better than you found it.” – Brooke T.
“Dolly was pure love and joy, she bridged sexes, politics, skin color, any and all that divide us. Incredible woman who could laugh at herself, make self-deprecating jokes, and still shine on!” – Ronnie
“She was always herself. She did have children, we her fans are her children, that she loved. [She was] so genuine to the end, told us always what was what. Now she is with Carl, loved ones, and the Lord!! I look forward to meeting her and hearing her sing in heaven!! We will always love you!” – Jewell H.
“In college, I did tech theatre. One of the things I did, and it was good money for college, was called Load In/Load Out where you would help traveling shows set up and break down. One of these shows was Dolly Parton. I didn't fully see the show because this was a relatively rural college and tickets were long gone, but I did do Load In/Load Out and, this was more than 20 years ago so my memory is a bit fuzzy, but either after setting up or before breaking down she took a moment to have us all come out and thanked the crew. [She] knew most of us were all college students and said we'd all go on to make the world a little bit brighter and never forget our time in a little rural college that brought art to the people there.
I ended up pursuing education for my own additional reasons of expanding opportunities for those that need it most and have always respected the Imagination Library. As a new parent, one of the first things we did when our child was born was sign them up to get their book a month. It's a joy seeing that little book come in mail and being able to share that new book and reread the others to my kid every night. I hope my kid still gets that letter from the late Ms. Parton when they turn five.
I'd like to share that Nashville Public Library has its own local initiative to build on that work with Begin Bright, adding resources to early learning educators and parents of young children in collaboration with the Imagination Library, and I would hope you share this information with your listeners. People can contribute and take advantage of that work at https://nplf.org/begin-bright/” – Easy - E
“Walked to the mural while listening to the emergency Dolly episode of City Cast Nashville, passing several Imagination Library license plates on the way. It was what I needed. Dolly truly loved TN and TN truly loved her.” – Liliana S.
