By Bryson Carter

Singer, songwriter and icon Dolly Parton died on August 25 of this year at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer. She died at the Ingram Cancer Center peacefully surrounded by her family and friends.

In her death, a certain kind of unity has been created over just how wonderful of a human Parton was. Will Hoard, senior musical theater major, and Kirra Hough, senior theater education major, both expressed how Parton’s death affected them.

“It broke my heart because she was such an integral part of my childhood and my upbringing,” said Hoard, “I would go to Dollywood a lot with my family and those are some of my most cherished childhood memories.”

Parton has also inspired Hough in a different way.

“She truly was my greatest inspiration,” she stated, “She showed me it was possible to do whatever I want, no matter where I came from.”

Parton was born on January 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tenn.. She grew up in extreme poverty and, in a family of 12 siblings, she was the fourth. Her musical family is a huge part of why she ended up utilizing so much of her musical ability. As a child, she performed on Knoxville television, radio stations and made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry at the age of 13. After graduating high school, she moved straight to Nashville and launched her extremely successful solo career.

Parton wrote many successful and popular songs in her lifetime such as “Jolene” and “9 to 5.”

“My favorite Dolly song is ‘Backwoods Barbie’,” said Hough, “I love the message that people have to look past your appearance to get to know you.”

“My favorite Dolly Parton song is called ‘From Here to the Moon and Back’,” stated Hoard, “it is a sweet song about how the loss of a loved one can make you feel calm knowing they still love you.”

She composed over 3,000 songs during her career and even starred in a few movies.

“I loved her in the movie ‘Joyful Noise’,” added Hoard.

As a multi-Grammy winner and an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Parton has done it all. However, more than all her wonderful achievements, some would argue that the best thing about Parton was her love of nature and people. She created the theme park “Dollywood” to celebrate the culture of the Appalachian people. She founded the Imagination Library, an organization that provides free books for children monthly all across the world.

“Watching all of the shows at Dollywood and seeing all of the performers is truly what inspired me to pursue what I am doing today,” said Hoard. “You also could tell from the way she interacted with others, on social media, in interviews and in concerts, that she genuinely loved life.”

“She showed people unconditional kindness and love while always being herself,” recalled Hough.

She was a genuine soul whose joyous spirit truly made the world a better place.

Rest in Peace, Dolly Parton.