08/26/2026
Today, the Smoky Mountains feel a little quieter.
Dolly Parton was more than a country music legend. She was a daughter of these mountains, a storyteller, a dreamer, a giver, and a shining example of what it means to never forget where you came from.
She carried the spirit of East Tennessee with her everywhere she went and gave so much back to the place she always called home. Her kindness, generosity, music, and love for these mountains have left a mark that will never fade.
For those of us lucky enough to call the Smokies home, Dolly will always be a part of them.
Thank you for making our little corner of Tennessee known around the world. Thank you for the music, the memories, and for always making us proud.
Rest easy, Dolly. Your Smoky Mountain home will never forget you. š¦š¤
