Dolly will forever be remembered for her legendary talent, her iconic music, and - most of all - her unmatched heart for the area she proudly called home. While we may never know the true depth of everything she did for these mountains, her unwavering devotion to her roots left an enduring mark on Gatlinburg and the millions of lives she touched. Her generosity, warmth, and devotion guided this region through its darkest trials and brought light to its happiest moments.
Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with her family, loved ones, and the generations of fans around the world who were touched by her music and her boundless giving spirit. Dolly’s legacy will forever echo through the Smoky Mountains she loved so dearly. Dolly was adored by millions across the globe, but here in Sevier County and East Tennessee, she was something even more meaningful: she was one of our own.
Hailing from the mountains of Sevier County, where she was born and raised, Dolly carried the spirit of the Sevier County everywhere she went. Dolly’s impact on Sevier County cannot be measured by economic investment alone. Her legacy is found in the opportunities she created for “My people” - in the families she helped rebuild their lives after the 2016 Chimney Tops 2 Wildfires; in the children who discovered a love of reading through the Imagination Library; in the generations of children who will have access to world-class health care through her investment in Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital.
Gatlinburg was proud to call Dolly a neighbor and fellow Sevier Countian. Our community is better because of her life, her generosity, and her unwavering love for “My people.” The world knew Dolly Parton as an icon. Gatlinburg was fortunate enough to know her as a neighbor. The impact of her life reached the world, but her heart never left the mountains of Sevier County.
Tributes to Dolly
"We will always love you, Dolly"
Banner in Gatlinburg
