Dolly Parton’s deep connection to Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains helped transform her hometown and boost tourism across the region.
Parton, who grew up in a two-room cabin without electricity or running water, became one of country music’s biggest stars after moving to Nashville. Yet she remained closely connected to Sevier County, where residents considered her a beloved local figure.
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Mourners gathered at her bronze statue in Sevierville on Tuesday, leaving flowers, drawings and other tributes. At Dollywood, the theme park Parton co-owned from 1986, visitors lined up Wednesday for attractions celebrating her life. The park is now Tennessee’s most visited tourist attraction, generates about $1.8 billion annually and is the county’s largest employer.
Parton also established the Dollywood Foundation in the early 1990s to reduce Sevier County’s high school dropout rate, which was about 30%. Its Buddy Program helped students with college costs, and the rate later fell to 6%.
Her Imagination Library has distributed more than 330 million books in several countries.
After the 2016 wildfire killed 14 people and caused about $2 billion in damage, Parton’s foundation supported displaced families and affected students.
Her generosity and work also helped challenge negative stereotypes about Appalachian communities.