Fulfilling Dolly’s wish in a big way.
The queen of country music, Dolly Parton, passed away on Tuesday morning at 80 years old in Nashville, Tennessee. Announcing her tragic passing, her team shared the following statement about her death:
“A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family.
Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”
Throughout Tuesday evening, more details surrounding her death began to surface, with TMZ reporting she was admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville on Friday morning with “kidney and autoimmune issues” and a rep confirming to People that her death sadly followed a “brief battle with cancer,” though the specific kind was not revealed.
Upon her passing, it was that a small, private service will be held for the immediate family, upon her request. In addition to asking fans to share messages on social media on her website, as an alternative to sending flowers, the family asked for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Of course, Parton’s most important contribution to the world (other than her music, of course) was undoubtedly the Imagination Library: the charitable organization, founded in honor of her father, that provides free books to kids from their birth until they hit the age of 5. In the 31 years since the country icon launched the organization, it’s gifted over 300,000,000 books to kids in need.
The benefits of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library are currently available in five different countries (United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom), and the “Queen of Country Music” was working to expand the presence of her charity even further.
In the wake of her death, none other than Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are stepping up big time to honor Dolly’s legacy through the library.
Announced today on the “The Thunder Rolls” singer’s website, Brooks’ Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonkin Nashville will honor the 10x Grammy winner on Friday, September 25th by declaring the day “Dolly Day,” an obvious nod to her classic #1 hit, “9 to 5.” Throughout the “Dolly Day,” every cent generated at the Nashville bar will be donated to the Imagination Library.
Yearwood would comment on the newly-announced day, calling it “100%” about the late legend and her dedication to children’s literacy throughout her life:
“Whatever the cash register says at the end of the day is going to Dolly’s passion. This is 100% about Dolly and her love for children’s literacy.”
As for Brooks, his website noted that “honoring Parton means celebrating the extraordinary breadth of her accomplishments while also supporting work that will continue to make a difference for generations to come.” He’d also add the following:
“Dolly may be the perfect example of if you spend your whole life loving, you WILL live forever.”
Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk is located at 411 Broadway in downtown Nashville and is open from 10:00 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays.
