Fans across Nashville pay tribute to Dolly Parton

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — From flowers outside her home to notes left at murals across the city, fans in Nashville are finding their own ways to remember Dolly Parton.

Her presence is felt throughout Music City, where people are mourning the loss of a country music icon they say gave so much to the world.

“I thought she was going to live forever,” said Joann Kirkman.

“Now she’s up in heaven with God’s angels singing to us all and it’s true we will always love her,” said Emily Tansill.

Flowers and messages from fans surround Parton’s star outside the Country Music Hall of Fame.

A few blocks away sits her latest project, the Songteller Hotel. It’s not yet open, but fans have still built a memorial.

“The kind of person she is, it’s so rare that people want to do such good in this world like Dolly does,” said Mandy Madson.

Outside her home is a mountain of flowers and tributes as a nonstop stream of people take a moment to pay their respects.

“She was just a global treasure that everybody loved and I don’t think anyone disagreed on,” said Garrett Webb.

In East Tennessee, Dollywood opened the day after her passing, with the theme park saying the show must go on as Dolly would have wanted.

The show also went on at the Grand Ole Opry, where Parton made her debut at just 13 years old when it was still at the Ryman.

One fan reminisced about the times her church choir sang with Parton.

“Our choir backed up Dolly twice, on the Country Music Awards in 1989 and then in 1990 on the Dove Awards.”

“Well, that was the dream of a lifetime.”

Parton’s bright smile is painted on the sides of buildings all over Music City.

Across the river in East Nashville is another mural where fans have left notes and flowers to remember a woman who gave so much to the world.

And she still has more to give. There’s a secret song locked away in Dollywood that won’t be released until 2045. Parton says it’s a really good song.

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About The Author
Brett Knese

Brett Knese

Brett Knese joined the Local 10 News team as a general assignment reporter in March 2025.