Country music icon and Grammy Award winner Dolly Parton, who died Aug. 25 at 80, visited Corpus Christi at least twice since 1977.
Her death was announced by her nephew Bryan Seaver in a video message on the singer's social media.
In a career that spanned decades, Parton wrote classic songs including "I Will Always Love You" and "Jolene." The singer also starred in several films, including "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," "Steel Magnolias" and "9 to 5," the latter adapted into a Broadway musical.
Most recently, Harbor Playhouse held a production of "9 to 5" in 2024. The community theater even held a Dolly Parton look-alike contest to celebrate the musical.
The singer paid a visit to Corpus Christi when she performed at the former American Bank Center in December 2016 for her Pure & Simple tour.
That wasn't the first time the Kennedy Center honoree arrived at the Coastal Bend, though.
In March 1977, she joined singers Johnny Rodriguez and Willie Nelson to perform for the United Cerebral Palsy of the Coastal Bend's annual telethon at Padre Staples Mall. The telethon raised at least $90,000, according to past reporting from the Caller-Times. A cardboard cutout of Parton was raffled off at $110.
John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Have a story idea? Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Dolly Parton dead at 80; here's her connection to Corpus Christi
