KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) – As tributes continue to pour in following the death of country music icon Dolly Parton, many across East Tennessee are reflecting on a legacy that extended far beyond the stage.
Parton, who died Tuesday at the age of 80, built one of the most successful careers in music history while also becoming one of the region’s most influential philanthropists. Her impact was felt not only through chart-topping songs but through programs that improved education, encouraged literacy and helped countless families across Tennessee and around the world.
Parton made her recording debut in 1959 and went on to score hit songs across seven consecutive decades. Her career spanned country, pop and dance music, and she collaborated with artists ranging from Kenny Rogers to Pitbull.
Her breakthrough hit, “Dumb Blonde,” released in 1966, helped launch a career that would ultimately make her one of the most recognizable and beloved entertainers in the world.
Remembered as a Unifying Figure
WIVK morning radio host Joey Tack said Parton’s influence reached far beyond music.
“I can’t think of anybody in East Tennessee that has been more influential and impactful and meaningful to the people that live here,” Tack said. “She was a master at being loved by everybody while still having an opinion and being bold.”
Tack said he first learned of Parton’s death while preparing for his radio show and initially struggled to believe the news.
“I got the video of her nephew announcing her passing, and the reaction was, ‘Has she been hacked? Really? Is this fake?'” Tack recalled. “Then it became apparent that it wasn’t. We had just seen her. How has this happened?”
The Buddy System Changed Lives
While Parton’s musical accomplishments made her a global superstar, many in Sevier County point to her work in education as one of her most important contributions.
In the 1990s, Parton launched the Buddy System, an initiative designed to reduce high school dropout rates in Sevier County.
Under the program, students were paired with classmates and encouraged to remain in school together through graduation. Those who completed high school received a financial reward from Parton.
A Sevierville resident known as Sandy described how the program worked.
“If you were in the eighth grade and you buddied up with somebody and you went all the way through high school and did not drop out, she gave each one of these children a $500 check,” Sandy said.
According to Sandy, the program helped boost local graduation rates from roughly 65 to 67 percent to approximately 94 percent.
“That just tells you how she was,” Sandy said. “She knew that education was important, and she wanted to give kids a reason to stay in school.”
A Commitment to Education and Opportunity
The Buddy System was one of several initiatives that reflected Parton’s belief in the power of education.
Her Imagination Library, launched in 1995, has delivered millions of free books to children and inspired generations of young readers. The program has become one of the most successful literacy efforts in the world and remains one of the defining pieces of her legacy.
Community leaders say those educational efforts will continue to impact children and families for decades to come.
Community Tribute Planned
Parton’s influence will also be honored at an upcoming community event in her hometown.
Organizers of Sevierville’s annual Relay for Life, which benefits the American Cancer Society, announced plans for a special tribute to Parton during this year’s event.
The relay is scheduled for August 31 from noon until 9 p.m., with a tribute ceremony planned for 1 p.m.
“Now It’s Our Turn”
For many fans, one of Parton’s most enduring phrases was the closing line she frequently used at concerts, interviews and public appearances.
“I will always love you.”
Tack said those words now carry a different meaning for the millions of people mourning her loss.
“Now it’s our time to say that back to her,” he said.
As East Tennessee continues to grieve, many say Parton will be remembered not only as an entertainer, but as a woman who used her success to lift up others, invest in education and make life better for generations of children and families.
