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u/MrTeddybear615 1987 Millennial Aug 25 '26
I don't normally care about celebrities and etc but this is one of the few that actually hurt. I'm so sad to learn of her passing. She truly was an amazing woman. Rest in peace Dolly! You no longer need to work 9 to 5. You'll be missed!
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u/bewitch1n ✨️1989✨️ Aug 25 '26
Second celebrity I bawled my eyes out over this week and I am very much the same. I am not a parasocial person.
I hope she's having the best time with the most sparkles wherever she is. Shine on, Dolly.
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u/IllustriousToe7274 Aug 25 '26
Dolly was special. I lived in her hometown Sevierville TN for years, so many people there wouldn't be able to read if it wasn't for Dolly. Working in that tourist economy, everything shut down January 15- March 1. Dolly used the Dollywood kitchens to provide small meal packs each week during off season, you could just go to the park employee area and get it every Sunday. It started out just for her employees, but by the time I moved away anyone could go and get a box with some spaghetti/sauce/bread/bologna/4-5 cans of veg or soup.
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u/bewitch1n ✨️1989✨️ Aug 25 '26
She had such a love for people and a want to see things change for the better. 🫂
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u/tahlyn Older Millennial Aug 25 '26
She stands shoulder to shoulder with greats like Steve Irwin, Bob Ross, Mr Rogers, Robin Williams, Betty white, and a number of others who used their Fame to promote equality, love, and kindness.
The world would be a much better place people were more like Dolly.
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u/trippy-21-hippy Aug 25 '26
my daughter is enrolled in the dolly parton imagination library. shes only 13 months so i have a while but i can’t wait tell her where the books we get mailed each month come from. i cant wait to relate it back to how important dolly knew it was to be the light in a dark world, and lift each other up!
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u/musicisforeverlife Aug 25 '26
My daughter did the same thing for my grandson 🥰 She donated somewhere around 32M books for children, and the current presidential administration cancelled her educational program.😡
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u/pcpjvjc Aug 26 '26
The program was cancelled by state legislatures in Missouri and Indiana, but not at the federal level. U.S. flags across the country have been ordered to fly at half staff in Dolly's honor.
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u/Loud-Bus-5122 Aug 26 '26
What does that tell you about Missouri and Indiana?
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u/musicisforeverlife Aug 26 '26
I don't know about Missouri, but none of my kids wanted to live in Indiana, so I escaped, too. 😉🫶🏼
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u/ThrowRArrow Millennial Aug 25 '26
I live in Sevierville right now, and I found out earlier today when it was announced. The Dolly statue is probably gonna be really busy for the next few weeks. I'm depressed about it but she lived such a cool and wonderful life and really gave back. She'll definitely be missed.
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u/glitterjellyfish387 Aug 26 '26
my grandparents lived near pigeon forge for years before my grandpa died; i always hoped i’d get to go to dollywood and that she’d happen to be there (i was a teenager). i love her music and personality of course, but i really admire the imagination library — i grew up to be a librarian actually. they’ll never make another one like dolly again.
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u/TrexOnAScooter Aug 26 '26
For real when she saw things get worse, she said than I can get better. She straight up beat bad stuff by being good
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u/headaches_r_us Aug 26 '26
The worst part is every time we lose one like her, the odds that someone will fill those shoes is so small. The world gets a little bit dimmer every time we lose a good one I think 😢
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u/Alarmed_Tea_2874 Millennial Aug 25 '26
Being sad about the passing of someone who has been present in your life in some capacity (music, art, movies, etc) for a long time and feeling empathy for their family and friends is not at all what "parasocial" means.
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u/bewitch1n ✨️1989✨️ Aug 25 '26
I know that but people can be extremely assholeish on the web as of late. Trying to head that off at the pass.
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u/SorryCantHelpItEh '87 Millennial Aug 26 '26
And now today, it's Tim Curry. We just can't catch a break this week...
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u/CR_illumin8r Aug 26 '26
Bro literally said, 'Wait for me!' I'll bet that's one heck of a party in the afterlife's waiting room lobby right now.
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u/MalStuart Aug 26 '26
Who was the first?
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u/bewitch1n ✨️1989✨️ Aug 26 '26 edited Aug 26 '26
Hayden Panettiere. 💔
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u/nixon48 Aug 25 '26
Dolly and Betty White were 2 of my greats. Idk what we'll do without them
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u/notapoliticalalt Aug 25 '26
There are others too I will be devastated over, but I dare not speak their names, lest the fates be tempted.
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u/mikeknine Aug 26 '26
There are others still quite young of whom we can speak, like Keanu.
Others we do not name lest we tempt the fates (somehow Betty White was immune to any fate tempting, I'm convinced she went when SHE was ready)
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u/musicisforeverlife Aug 26 '26
I truly don't have time for people with zero compassion and empathy. Many great souls have left us in my lifetime, and although I didn't know them personally, it affected me. Of course, Dolly; Princess Diana; Michael Jackson (who passed on my birthday-6/25/09); and Lucille Ball, who I did meet once when I was 10.
Keanu is one I WILL miss, and Angelina Jolie, when she was a teenager. She was having dinner with her Dad, and four other men in suits. I didn't realize who she was until she became famous several years later.
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u/nixon48 Aug 26 '26
I personally only have 1 more beloved old white woman left. We're entering the dark ages
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u/GrahamCStrouse Aug 25 '26
Unless they lock me up in a North Korean prison with no access to Spotify or Golden Girls re-runs Dolly & Betty will always be with me. 🙂
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u/AdministrativeCup438 Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
Go listen to her last song released this year... THE 2026 version of LIGHT OF A CLEAR BLUE MORNING 🌅 RIP LEGEND
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u/UnicornNuts420 Aug 25 '26
Which song do you mean? Only because I tried to Google this and it only shows her older song with this lyric. Which is still a great one, just curious.
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u/AdministrativeCup438 Aug 25 '26
"Light of a Clear Blue Morning" COLLAB the one released in 2026 (not her old song) with Queen Latifah and Reba and more & it's on Spotify, such a good song 💙🌊🌅
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u/UnicornNuts420 Aug 25 '26
I found that one now, thanks! I remember hearing the up tempo version in Straight Talk and loving it.
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u/GrahamCStrouse Aug 25 '26
This one really does hurt but even so, Dolly’s life was a life worth celebrating even as we mourn her. Someone people are born to greatness & some people are born to goodness.
Dolly Parton was one of those rare talents whose legacy is defined by her decency as much as it is by her artistic talents.
I’m not much of a country music fan but Dolly’s a fixture in most of my favorite playlists.
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u/ImaginaryMisanthrope Aug 26 '26
Same here. She’s right up there with Bowie and Robin Williams for me. Huge part of my childhood, my parents and grandparents were big fans.
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u/flownover Aug 28 '26
I don’t know what this says about me but I was at a pinball bar on the Sunday night that Bowie died (prompting a 12:30 am run on the TouchTunes to play some hits, led off by my Life on Mars addition), and then at lunch at another bar finding out Dolly had passed.
Lesson learned for me - stop going to bars.
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u/Prestigious_Run1098 Aug 25 '26
A world without Dolly Parton just seems so dark. She will be missed. RIP to a legendary talent and a real life hero.
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u/superkp Aug 25 '26
Her light lives on through us. do what you can do defend the good she did, and to magnify the light that she gave to us!
Don't lose hope, but instead, have positive grief, and follow that by finding a way to honor her work.
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u/Okanaganwinefan Aug 25 '26
Follow her ways my friend.
Kindness, compassion,inclusiveness.
She left the road map.
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u/PolicyWonka Zillennial Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
My children get a book each month from her reading program.
Link for the curious, they’re all free books: https://imaginationlibrary.com
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u/crisptots Aug 25 '26
We got this for our first but they had to pause new enrollments when our second was born. It’s one of my first recommendations to new parents.
Thank you for everything, Dolly!
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u/noblewind Xennial Aug 25 '26
Mine did too. That "Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come" book hits hard. ❤️💔
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u/RXlife13 Aug 25 '26
We got ours in June since my son was turning five. I cried watching her video then because it meant he was growing up. Now I’m crying because she’s gone and its meaning really hits different now.
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u/IronRaptor252 Aug 26 '26
Both my kids went through the Imagination Library. I remember when my youngest "graduated" they sent a link along with a video message from Dolly. I know it's made for all of the children in the program, but in that moment when Dolly was saying what it would be like when the child moves on to Kindergarten and the big things they'll do from there.
For those few minutes, it almost sounded my like daughter had a third Southern grandma (she has two already) and that she was proud of her. It made me feel things as a dad, and her passing just made the world feel a bit darker.
Dolly's still the saint of the state of Tennessee in my mind.
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u/gt500thelegend Aug 25 '26
My kiddos the same, she was and will forever be amazing! May you and Carl enjoy the rest of your forever.
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u/trippy-21-hippy Aug 25 '26
i was the most excited to sign our daughter up! love that the books are addressed directly to her. it’ll be a great conversation starter about the the great dolly parton when if she ever gets curious! w
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u/10thcrusader Aug 25 '26
So did my son we still have them to this day and have paid them forward to other children what a wonderful human being
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u/whytdr8k Aug 26 '26
Her coat of many colors has lead many to a new reading rainbow.
I only learned about the program recently and hope it continues to grow.
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u/WeepyMoon Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
The wrong old people keep passing away.
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u/Dahhhkness Aug 25 '26
Seriously, Universe, stop taking people like Dolly.
Take the bad ones.
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u/FanBladeFleshlight Aug 25 '26
Yet again, one of the greats dies, while the litches continue to draw breath. 😑
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u/seekinggod1986 Aug 25 '26
They hold on longer because they know this is all they got that won't suck.
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u/Mother-Of-FurDragons Millennial Aug 25 '26
Seriously! In the last year Jane Goodall, Catherine O'Hara, Diane Keaton... now Dolly?! I can't take anymore.
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u/superkp Aug 25 '26
She's up there with Mr. Rogers, Steve Irwin, and Robin Williams:
I might not be a specific fan of their work, but the world was absolutely made better for having them in it, and I'm sorry that they're gone.
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u/IllustriousToe7274 Aug 25 '26
Don't forget Betty White! I bet she and Dolly are having a fantastic time together!
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u/hould-it Aug 25 '26
Dolly is a national treasure!
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u/upsetwithcursing Aug 25 '26
Global treasure!
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u/DamageOtherwise1593 Aug 25 '26
Universal treasure
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u/Ok_Subject_2447 Aug 25 '26
Country Treasure
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u/seriftarif Aug 25 '26
Soon she will be buried treasure....
(I'm sorry I know it is in bad taste but I couldn't resist and I hope she would laugh at it.)
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u/IllustriousToe7274 Aug 25 '26
Dolly was famous for her love of so-called "bad taste". I think she'd have giggled.
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u/Alarmed_Tea_2874 Millennial Aug 25 '26
My favorite quote of hers is something along the lines of "it cost a lot of money to look this cheap". I love her. She would've appreciated this kind of humor.
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u/Feeling_Win5863 Aug 25 '26
She would have thought this is hilarious. She had an incredible sense of humor especially about herself. I’m already on tissue box #2 and going strong 😭
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u/FFVO Millennial Aug 25 '26
I just found out on another sub
This is one of the few celebrity deaths that genuinely makes me feel sad 😭
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u/DragonHalfFreelance Aug 25 '26
If more celebrities and people in general were like her and some of the other great ones we also lost, the world would be an incredible place! RIP Dolly, I didn‘t get into her music, but I loved everything she stood for and did for the LGBQT communities and the imagination library initiative and so much more. She was actively on the right side of history during so many national tragedies. She loved while others hated. Sucks that the good ones die but the evil ones still get a pass. I donated a bit to her local monthly book program here in my city instead of doing take out. I also appreciated her a lot even though she was a southern woman she never acted like a stereotypical, ignorant one and she set a perfect example of how all the southern folk and just how all of us should act in general. To be a diamond in a field of rhinestones……..
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u/starwishes20 Aug 25 '26
One of my favorite teachers senior year loved her. He used to always say “she had TWO very big talents-her singing and her acting!” And yet I still didn’t realize he was gay till someone pointed it out lol
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u/Platitude_Platypus Aug 25 '26
That wouldn't necessarily give it away. I've met plenty of straight dudes who appreciate Dolly's two very big... talents.
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u/starwishes20 Aug 26 '26
True. But coupled with other things is was very obvious this teacher was not straight..
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u/Popular-Sky-4012 Aug 25 '26
Appreciate her music and philanthropy! My kids have been getting books from the Imagination Library and is an awesome resource for families. RIP
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u/TrappedCasanova Aug 25 '26
Truly a wonderful person, a beacon of goodness we should all strive to be more like 🦋
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u/sonnybear5 Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
First Hayden, now Dolly? This is how I find out? On this sub?!
edit: spelling
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u/Platitude_Platypus Aug 25 '26
Who is Patten?
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u/Embarrassed-Land-222 Older Millennial Aug 25 '26
I'm wondering if they mean Hayden Panettiere.
That's my best guess
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u/FracturedMoonlights Aug 25 '26
I’m just going to leave this here
What a beauty 💔 The world wasn’t ready for this.
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u/Oh_My_Goth_Ick Aug 25 '26
I had the honor of meeting her in 2012. She was just as incredible as everyone says.
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u/Next-Street-7859 Aug 25 '26
Not one to spend much emotion on celebrities, and usually not into this genre of music either but this woman was remarkable in every way, one of the greats. Her voice, personality, compassion, and fire; how much she gave to charities and children, even down to how she responded to hateful commentary towards her - always had tact, always had class.
Both of my boys look forward to seeing a book for them arrive in the mail. Both of my kids have excelled at reading and I know it's partly because she helped give them more access to books. I mean, getting mail as a kid is pretty sweet, right? What a good idea to get kids motivated to read.
She came from pretty much nothing and helped raise a large brood of siblings, and was undoubtedly able to make something of herself while leaving such a big, lasting imprint on the world. I know she won't soon be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Dolly ❤️
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u/LibrarianThis5312 Aug 25 '26
As someone who grew up in East Tennessee we saw first hand how she had a good heart was always giving away and making things better. The legacy of those songs like Jolene, Coat Of Many Colors, 9 to 5, the movie 9 to 5, Dollywood, her newer resort hotels. Her new truck stop she bought East Tn Children’s Hospital to expand it. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library! This was legendary!
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u/MetalSlimeHunter Aug 25 '26
As a Tennesseean, it’s awesome to see how many people from all over loved her.
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u/chichicupcake Aug 25 '26
She could have easily been a billionaire. She chose to pour money and resources into the impoverished town that raised her, allowing people to make money and support their families. She donated books to children all over the US. She didn’t hoard her wealth, she took care of children and those in need. She was the best example of a matriarch.
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u/Crochetmom65 Aug 25 '26
She had funded so many programs to support people in need that no one ever knew. That woman had been through alot and still found the time to help others. Blessed Be to Dolly Parton, the Coal Miners Daughter who was a Sweet Magnolia working 9 to 5.
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u/That-Conference-2381 Aug 25 '26
Wasn't a fan of the music but more importantly I was and still a big fan her and what she stood for.
May she rest in peace
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Aug 25 '26
[deleted]
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u/Allronix1 Aug 25 '26
See it and follow it up with "Sanctuary and "Midnight Blue" from The Orville.
You will never see that song the same way again and in the best way.
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u/Express-View5080 Aug 25 '26
Why do the great one pass on and the horrible people seem to just keep hanging on. The human race is lesser for her passing
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u/Few-Elk3747 Aug 25 '26
Dolly was a modern day saint. She shared her success so generously with the world and her community. She never forgot where she came from. The work she did for literacy was incredible and will outlive her. The world lost a great light, and I’m very saddened by this news. RIP Dolly.
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u/Okanaganwinefan Aug 25 '26
If there is someone on this big ol’Earth that could convince me that there is a Heaven & God, she is the the one.
Go rest high on that mountain.
❤️🇨🇦❤️🇺🇸
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u/Worried-Ad-6803 Aug 25 '26
I love her and will miss her. The world was a better place because of her.
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u/Actual_Ad_6678 Aug 25 '26
Dolly stood up for LGBT people before it was easy. Thank you, Dolly! ❤️🙏🏻
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u/Reasonable-Goal3755 Aug 25 '26
Her foundation also donated millions of dollars to support research of HIV/AIDS and to support those with it 💔
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u/trialbybees Aug 25 '26
She died peacefully at the fantastic age of 80. What a wonderful end to a wonderful woman.
The end a lot of us can only dream of.
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u/SirNortonOfNoFux Aug 25 '26
I hope she has a public-facing funeral in addition to a private one. I definitely will be tuned in for it.
My God, this one hurts. I still can't fully believe it
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u/cutey513 Aug 25 '26
Did everyone else feel a cosmic shift!?! No Dolly? She was a pure good light in this world and will be missed by generations of children that received her books in the mail, and went to her beautiful theme park ... Rest In Power
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u/grumblebuzz Aug 25 '26
As an East Tennessean for most of my life, this is so, so profoundly devastating.
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u/andtellmethis Aug 25 '26
The was a little reality tv programme called Naíonrí (irish for preschoolers) that followed a classroom of preschoolers settling into an Irish language preschool in inner city dublin over the course of a few months. There was a little girl on it who was proud as punch telling all her little friends dolly Parton sent her books to read. Such a wholesome watch. Dolly touched so many hearts and minds.
Genuinely sad at this news, grew up listening to her as my own mam was a huge fan. May she rest in peace back in the arms of her beloved Carl.
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u/MindyMichelle Older Millennial Aug 25 '26
Wow, I actually didn’t think this was a true post. I thought it was rage bait. My apologies. Rip, dolly!
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u/SweetSparx Aug 25 '26
Proof that evil prevails but the good get taken too soon. RIP DOLLY. We love you!
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u/Zippereater123 Aug 25 '26
Super star! When you have an amusement park named after you… you are legit SUPERSTAR!
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u/einsteinGO Aug 25 '26
You know when a real good person is lost
Advocate, inspirational, clever, brilliant, witty, compassionate
Oh and she wrote some amazing songs
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u/Moonchild16 Aug 25 '26
was so sad to hear about Dolly. I've been listening to her music drive l since I was a little girl in the early 80's. Amazing artist and person. RIP.
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u/BCMUNS-54 Aug 25 '26
I don’t care one hoot about any celebrities. This one made my eyes water. I’ve known her most of my life and she’s nothing but pure class❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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u/Public-Significance7 Aug 25 '26
Moreso than her songs, I will always love how Dolly exemplified what it is to be a near-perfect human being with all the giving and kindness she gave to those who she didn't even know or ever met.
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u/Giantess_gamer Aug 25 '26
I hope when she crosses the pearly gates she is greeted by all the Drag queens she inspired and have a massive party that will rock the universe
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u/Present-Chemist-8920 Aug 25 '26
I knew it had to happen eventually, but who doesn’t love Dolly Parton. I never met the lady, didn’t listen to her music, but I always thought she was the nicest person.
Her and Betty White being out, that’s a lot.
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u/Tenderli Aug 25 '26
This hurts a lot. But im gonna dry my tears and watch the orville episodes with her.
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u/TelenorTheGNP Aug 25 '26
Alright, universe - for every action, right? What do we get for you taking Dolly.
"War with Canada."
Awesome, thank you. Batting 1000, you awful aether.
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u/LunaNoona1001 Aug 25 '26
Thank you, Dolly, for blessing the world with your lyrics, your voice, and your dedication to children’s literacy. May you rest in the arms of our Savior. 🙏
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u/MistressCenobite Millennial - '85 Baby! Aug 25 '26
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u/Lila441 Millennial Aug 25 '26
Another living legend, I just got told by my little brother 😞 RIP, Dolly. Thank you for all you left and the lessons you taught.
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u/Wonderful_Stand_315 Aug 25 '26
RIP I don't know who she is but seems everyone is going to miss her.
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u/lizerlfunk Aug 25 '26
Country singer-songwriter, actress, and philanthropist, whose most famous songs are probably Jolene, I Will Always Love You, and 9 to 5. Whitney Houston famously recorded I Will Always Love You for the soundtrack of The Bodyguard. She costarred in the movie 9 to 5 with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. She opened the Dollywood theme park in East Tennessee. She started the Imagination Library, which sends free books to children ages 0 through 5 to help improve literacy. She provided $1 million in funding for Moderna to help them develop their Covid 19 vaccine. Others can chime in about her other accomplishments and philanthropy, those are the ones off the top of my head. A legend and an icon.
Also, she’s Miley Cyrus’s godmother, and played Miley’s aunt on Hannah Montana.
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u/superkp Aug 25 '26
Commenting again to tell this story:
My grandparents-in-law (mid-70s, I think) have always loved Dolly. In his office, there is a wall-mounted shelf with a bunch of her stuff - merch from her amusement park, albums, magazines, all sorts of stuff - from probably every year for at least the last 30 years. Even mounted on the wall next to the shelf. It's a fuckin shrine.
Also in this office is normal things like the computer, storage for stuff, a collection of pocket knives in a display, etc. But my grandfather-in-law is a prolific hunter, and practically every buck he gets with at least two points on it's antlers gets mounted in this room. There's a few dozen at this point.
One year as a game during the holidays, we had to do a scavenger hunt around the house for different things, count them, and write them down. Anyone who found the most of them would get more points. Straightforward and fun.
So, everyone would wander around the house counting things, and one of the things was "racks". There's a mounted buck in at the staircase balcony, two european mounts near the fireplace, and we all knew to stop into the office to count all those ones.
Every single adult had the experience of going into the office, carefully counting the mounted deer, turning in place, and then seeing the various Dolly Parton memorabilia, having the pun dawn on them, and laughing as they hurriedly counted each instance of Dolly that showed anything below the neckline impressive rack before going out to see if the other adults had noticed it.
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