By Joe Rector
joerector@comcast.net
We all woke up this morning hoping that the news wasn’t true, that we’d just had a bad dream. However, with the sunlight came the realization that Dolly Parton is gone. Just like it was hard to believe that she was 80, the fact that the world has lost a shining star became a reality.
For those of us here in East Tennessee, the news that our favorite person is gone stings almost too much to bear. We who are old enough remember her singing on the Cas Walker television program. Little did we know that the little girl would go on to become one of the greatest musicians in the world. Yes, her passing has stunned us as much as the death of Elvis. Our grief over her death equals the loss of such icons as John F. Kennedy or Martin Luther King.
Some might object to equating Dolly’s loss to those listed above. In response, I cite the impact this East Tennessean has had on the world. Her music brought joy to millions in the U.S. and in all corners of the globe. She knew the importance of reading and made possible the distribution of more than 200,000,000 books to children. She donated one million dollars to Vanderbilt Hospital to develop a vaccine to save lives from Covid. Her legacy will carry the worldwide generosity that she shared. More importantly, individual stories will continue to be shared about how Dolly eased the pain of folks who lost homes or suffered from diseases.
A world without Dolly doesn’t seem possible. How do those of us left behind go on? The world’s grief is palpable, but the answer is quite simple. Each of us must pick up the work that Dolly Parton began. The key component is compassion. If nothing else, Dolly showed us that caring for others who are hurting is a basic act of humanity. She took to heart the charge that Jesus gave us. Along with that, she displayed a kindness that is in short supply in today’s world.
Some will say that the outpouring of grief and praise for Dolly Parton is too much. They’ll say the woman was a hillbilly and huckster. They will dismiss her as a shrewd businesswoman who played up the hillbilly act to make her theme park more successful. Yes, all of us who come from this area will play on the stereotypes that folks from other parts of the country place on us. “Ya’ll come back” is often heard at many southern entertainment sites as smart business owners slide credit cards or ring up cash sales. Dolly Parton always wanted to offer people places that were fun and where individuals and families could create memories.
The great state of Tennessee has made tremendous contributions to the U.S. Three former presidents and two vice presidents. Davy Crockett is one of the most well-known pioneers in the country’s history. Sam Houston was a governor of Tennessee before moving to Texas. He raised an army of Volunteers from Tennessee to fight against Mexico. Yes, that’s how Tennessee became known as the “Volunteer State.” Alvin York left his home in Tennessee and became a hero during World War I.
Not one of those great people overshadows the life and works of Dolly Parton. A proponent of education for all children, a world-famous entertainer whose songs have touched the lives of billions, and an anonymous donor to many programs and individuals, Dolly Parton became more than a famous Tennessean; she became an ambassador for goodness, kindness, and justice for all of us. The world will be a little dimmer without her shining star, but she leaves it to us to continue what she started. I’m not sure how willing our leaders are to take up this challenge.
Dolly Parton, thank you. Our hearts are broken right now, but they will forever be filled with love for you and your life.
