As news of Dolly Parton’s death emerged on Tuesday, hundreds of mourners flocked to her hometown of Sevierville, Tennessee, to pay their respects to the beloved country music icon. The air was filled with her music, including the hit “Jolene,” as fans gathered at the Sevier County Courthouse to leave floral tributes at the statue of the singer strumming her acoustic guitar.
Callie Konane Rickards, a 43-year-old costume designer, expressed the deep affection many locals felt for the star. “We’ve always called her our patron saint of Tennessee,” she said, adding that she believes Parton’s “sparkle lives on in all of us.” The scene was marked by a mix of somber reflection and celebration, with families, police officers, and tourists joining together to honor the singer.
The outpouring of grief extended beyond local fans, with major music figures such as Taylor Swift, Beyonce, and Jack White offering tributes. However, for those in East Tennessee, the loss felt deeply personal. Jonah La Grand, a 24-year-old local, described Parton as a mother figure to the community. “Sevier County is 100 percent the way it is today for no other reason than for Dolly Parton,” he noted, emphasizing her role in the region’s economic and spiritual growth.
Residents frequently pointed to her enduring kindness and her commitment to the mountainous region, particularly her support during the devastating wildfires a decade ago. Her influence remains tangible through the Dollywood theme park, a major economic engine, and the Imagination Library, which has provided books to millions of children worldwide.
As evening fell, the tributes continued at local establishments like the Bluffs, where patrons shared stories and sang karaoke versions of her songs. Among those mourning was Brent Allen, a 49-year-old cousin who grew up near Parton on the hills of Locust Ridge. Recalling her as “Aunt Granny,” Allen spoke of her humble beginnings among 11 siblings and her rise to global fame without losing her “salt-of-the-earth” character.
Allen highlighted how Parton’s work ethic and philanthropy transformed the impoverished region. “I think she has ascended to sainthood now,” he remarked, noting her unique ability to unite Americans across the political spectrum. He expressed a hope that she would be remembered as a generational figure of compassion, stating, “I hope Dolly is our generation’s Mother Teresa. She made everybody feel like they were special.”
Plans for the singer’s final arrangements are currently focused on a private funeral for family and close friends. Following this, at least one public service is expected to be held in either Nashville or Sevierville to allow the public to bid farewell to the legendary performer. The report also notes that some of them taking selfies as police officers, mourning locals and some tourists stood by, children with their parents did the same. The report also notes that yes, but she has also uplifted us spiritually, she gives so much growth to the county and the surrounding Appalachia — economically. The report also notes that she’s known worldwide for being so kind. The report also notes that she’s Aunt Granny to me,” Allen told AFP before a patron sang a raucous rendition of “9 to 5,” one of Parton’s signature hits. The report also notes that and Allen said much of the region, even though it remains poor, has been transformed by Parton’s relentless work and philanthropy, parton and her 11 brothers and sisters grew up in severe poverty.
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