As clear as it now looks, it is obvious that my brief tribute to the late Dolly Parton — and yes, it’s strange beyond belief to refer to her in that fashion — fell far short of the mark. So … I will seek to remedy that with this brief post.
Dolly Parton was a brilliant businesswoman with a heart of pure gold. She was generous with her immense wealth. She had a wonderfully self-deprecating wit that she used on herself without apology.
I did note that she was an extraordinary talent who composed some of pop culture’s most durable music.
She also was a champion for literacy among our children. She came by that desire honestly, as her beloved father never learned to read and write. When Vanderbilt University closed for a time during the COVID pandemic, Dolly donated $1 million to get the university up and running. She reportedly furnished hundreds of millions of books to children around the world, encouraging them to enjoy reading and having the whole world open up to them.
She said she wanted to create a fantasy amusement park near her East Tennessee hometown. She declared she would name it “Dollywood,” and it would cater to families seeking to get away from the travails of life.
I mentioned to you already that I am not a huge country music fan, but I sure know talent when I see it. Dolly Parton was an extraordinary woman whose legacy will live on not just in her music, but also in the lives of children who were blessed to receive the gift of literacy that she encouraged.
The world will miss Dolly Parton’s huge presence, but it also will continue to reap the rewards she left behind.
