In the aftermath of Dolly Parton's death on Aug. 25, readers shared their own memories of her with Knox News, some by letter and others through online posts. Here are a few of those stories.
Dolly Parton showed down-to-earth kindness
Ms. Parton’s passing made me recall the touching sincere kindness that she demonstrated for one of my patients at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital (now Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital) in the 1990s.
My patient was around 12 years old, hospitalized for complications of a brain tumor with a poor prognosis. She was a devoted fan of Dolly Parton. Ms. Parton agreed to visit her in the hospital.
Ms. Parton politely declined an offer from the hospital community relations staff to make a public big deal of her visit to highlight Ms. Parton’s good deed. Instead,
Ms. Parton quietly entered the hospital and made her way to the girl’s room without fanfare.
I only knew about the visit because as the child’s physician I was asked to give medical clearance. I was tempted to find some excuse to enter girl’s room during the visit, so that I could meet the awesome Dolly Parton. I’m glad that I decided against interrupting the child’s time with Ms. Parton.
Ms. Parton entered the hospital room without an entourage and spent a very long time conversing with the child. Ms. Parton made the visit 100% about the delighted girl. Ms. Parton’s attention was completely focused on the girl, allowing the child to guide the conversation to whatever she wanted to talk about. It was a heavenly dream-come-true for my patient, bringing much-needed amazing joy to her and her family.
Ms. Parton then unobtrusively left the hospital without trying to call attention to herself or to show off her gracious altruism. The family described Ms. Parton’s humble down-to-earth kindness.
Ms. Parton’s unpretentious sincere grace was the real deal and not just a show for when the cameras were rolling. I missed my chance to meet Dolly Parton in person, but I love her!
Ray Pais, Knoxville, 37923
Parton's smile and talent will be missed by millions
Since April, I have lost three college fraternity brothers. Two of them were in their 80s, and the third was almost 78. Each had been fighting something, so their passing was anticipated.
But Dolly Parton suddenly dying at 80? If you ask me, the worldwide reaction to the news has been equal to the tragic deaths of Beatle John Lennon in 1980 and Princess Diana in 1997.
Dolly's smile, her laugh and her incredible talent as a songwriter and performer will be missed by millions.
All I can say is, when Dolly, Patsy, Elvis, Johnny and June see each other on the other side, the music they create will be otherworldly.
RIP, Dolly. You may be gone now but you never will be forgotten.
Denny Freidenrich, Laguna Beach, California
Parton based advice to teachers on her own childhood
At a summer seminar for Tennessee teachers in the 1980's, Dolly Parton spoke and asked teachers to be careful about what they asked their students. Then she told a true story where she and her brother went to a Sevier County school and their teacher asked the students to tell what they ate for breakfast that morning. Bacon and eggs and pancakes were some of the breakfast items named.
Dolly and her brother exchanged glances and mutually decided that they would say the same as the other students when all that they had had that that morning was a biscuit shared between them. Dolly again asked the school teachers to be careful what they asked their students.
Jane Ray
A trip the fair resulted in an encounter with Parton
In 1972, when I was 12 years old, a friend and I went to the TVA&I Fair at Chilhowee Park in Knoxville. We had just bought our tickets and were walking through the gate when I noticed two young women walking only a few feet ahead of us. One of them looked very familiar. It was Dolly Parton. I recognized her from watching "The Porter Wagoner Show." She was still young and years away from becoming the worldwide icon she is today, but to me, she was already famous. And there she was, just a few steps in front of us, walking into the fair like everyone else.
Excited, and without giving it much thought, I called out: “Hey, Dolly!” Dolly turned around and looked back at my friend and me. With that classic big smile of hers, she called back: “Y’all have fun!” And that was it, just a few seconds between a young Dolly Parton and two 12-year-old boys heading into the fair.
At the time, I probably didn't realize how special that little moment would become. But more than half a century later, I can still picture Dolly turning around and smiling at us. It’s funny how a moment that lasts only a few seconds can become a memory that lasts a lifetime. That's the impact of Dolly.
Mark Griffith
Knoxville should honor Parton's start here
Dolly started her music at WIVK radio and Cas Walker on Gay Street. To honor her they should replace the atrocious sculpture across from the Visitor Center with something Dolly-related. It would be so appropriate.
Sandra M. Harris
The Parton family is a community treasure
I remember stopping at a gazebo in Pigeon Forge for some gospel music when I was in my late teens or early 20s. They did a fantastic job singing. I stayed until they finished and spoke to a few of them and discovered that almost every one of them was related to Dolly. It was a lot of her family members including her mother. Her whole family is just as good as she is. That family is a treasure to our community.
Bradley Jason Mayes (via Facebook)
Parton's jokey warning to talk show audience was a favorite line
I was watching her being interviewed on a talk show, I don't remember whose. She told the front row of the audience they better watch out. She told them that if her buttons started popping off it might blind some of them. I've always loved everything about Dolly, but this has always been one of my favorites.
Carolyn Woodby
Halftime show for Thanksgiving Day football was memorable
One of my favorite memories was watching Dolly’s live halftime show during the Dallas Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day game against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium on November 23, 2023.
Austyn Harwick (via Facebook)
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Dolly Parton lives on in readers' favorite memories of her | Letters
