By Imaginary Gardens Staff, Introduction by Patrick Dobyns, Editor
This has been a difficult week for many of us. On August 25, 2026, we lost icons Dolly Parton and Tim Curry. The next day, Peter Cullen, the voice for characters such as Optimus Prime in Transformers and Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh. Why do we care about these people, though? Very few of us have ever met these people; we have no personal interactions (unless we were very lucky), so why are we so saddened by their loss? The answer lies in the fact that celebrities have a unique way of interacting with us that isn’t how people normally remember each other. Their widespread fame makes everything they did, everything they stood for and supported, resonate across an entire population. In the case of Dolly Parton, she is remembered for her support of towns and cities in the South, and was an icon of being your most authentic self. Tim Curry had a way of bringing joy to the lives of everyone who saw him perform. Personally, I will always associate Peter Cullen with the line “Freedom is the right of all sentient beings.” We mourn celebrities because we get to know them through their actions, sometimes better than we know our own friends. With that said, we’ve asked many of our staff members to write their memories and feelings of those who have recently passed.
Emma G. Harrison, Editor-in-Chief
I really don’t remember a time in my life when Dolly Parton was not a part of it. Probably because the love for her was…is generational in my family. It really all started with my grandmother, or Meme as we call her. Every TV special that had anything to do with Dolly had to be viewed by my mom’s whole family at my Meme’s request. The love for Dolly passed on to my mom and my Aunt Emy, who was also a huge part of my life and still is even after her passing in 2024 due to a 10-plus-year battle with breast cancer. Aunt Emy loved Dolly. She and my mom would drive everywhere in Emy’s white 1987 Chevy Silverado, screaming the lyrics to Dolly Parton’s and Kenny Rogers’ “Islands in the Stream.” Safe to say that tradition lasted; fast-forward a few decades, when Emy and my little cousin would come stay with us for a week or so every summer, we spent all our car rides listening to Dolly. I remember being super little and so enamored with Dolly and all the rhinestones she wore. I wanted to be just like her, down to the bust (I have since learned that it’s a blessing to not be that blessed). Finding books from the Imagination Library in my mailbox was the pinnacle of childhood to me, since it really felt like the books were coming straight from Dolly’s hands to my mailbox. Dolly Parton, the woman that you were, the impact you made – we will always love you.
Heather Lee Schroeder, Faculty Advisor
I was two years old when “My Tennessee Mountain Home” hit the charts. I’m sure I heard Dolly perform it when I was little since it played on the radio, but the version I remember from childhood is Maria Muldaur’s cover of it, which was released a year or two later. Its lyrics were the first I learned by heart from beginning to end, and I loved singing it in the empty grain bins on the Midwestern farm I called home. I didn’t connect the song to Parton until much later, long after she became a household name when the movie (and song) 9 to 5 was released, but the sweet longing of the lyrics and the tender homage Parton pays to a place that many Americans see as a throwaway land of trailers and poverty stuck with me throughout my life. When I moved to Tennessee from Wisconsin (via upstate New York) in 2010, it was the song I sang as I unpacked our boxes and set up our home. I didn’t come to fully appreciate how important Dolly has been to this region until after my son was born. The monthly Imagination Library deliveries addressed to him underscored the lifelong habit she had of making better every place that she called home. I suspect all of us will have adjusting to do, now that she’s gone. The first thing I did when I heard she had passed, though, was to sing my favorite Dolly song from beginning to end, and although I felt sad that she was gone, I was reminded of her joyful presence and her lasting musical legacy.
Anna Matsen Cantrell, Faculty Advisor
The thing that has always stood out to me about Dolly Parton was how she unified people with storytelling — not only with her own prodigious talent for weaving an iconic tale but also by inspiring stories in others. Throughout my childhood, trips from Nolensville to Nashville commonly involved passing by the Brentwood home of Dolly Parton (or Polly Darton, as my young sisters and I occasionally mispronounced her name). Every time, my mother smiled and quipped, “I wonder if we’ll see Dolly out mowing her lawn today.” We never did catch sight of her personally taking a mower to her expansive lawn, but the idea invariably added a bit of fun to dull car rides. Part of the reason my mom particularly kept up her joke was that doing so provided an opportunity to regale us with how they’d once rubbed elbows on an elevator ride. Clearly, it did not take a long interaction with Parton to leave a lasting impression worth sharing with pride. As an adult, one of my favorite pieces of storytelling by Parton herself is her classic song “Jolene.” Not only is the narrative compelling in its drama, but also the title character is described with such captivating detail that, even decades later, fans continue adding to her lore. With the growing number of musicians retelling the ballad from different perspectives, the ballad of Jolene feels more and more like the origin story of new folklore — no easy feat in a music scene where balladry has grown increasingly rare. And that doesn’t even touch on the many memes involving the character — my favorite of which retells the tale of Jolene in the poetical stylings of Edgar Allan Poe (with whom Parton shares a birthday). It’s a wholesome sort of viral engagement possible only, imho, because of two core Parton characteristics: masterful storytelling skills and transcendent southern charm. In an era where so many faves ultimately reveal themselves problematic, Parton’s consistent wit and kindness stand out. Finally, for generations of Tennesseans to come, the storytelling legacy of Dolly Parton will only grow for one simple reason: she’s the book lady. My currently nine-year-old son received a free book each month for the first five years of his life — as so many children in our state fortunately do. He, like so many children, is a natural storyteller whose passion for the craft was fostered by his early reading experiences. Who knows how many kids who grew up reading books sent by the Imagination Library will ultimately become storytellers, songwriters, reporters — or simply more creative, empathetic humans who love to read. For these reasons and so much more, Dolly Parton’s Tennessee legacy is and will forever remain not only in the stories she wrote but in stories that her work and her life inspire. Thank you, Dolly, for adding your creativity, your clever wit, and your unending empathy to the world.
Jacqueline Ayala, Social Media Editor
My story with Dolly started young, like many of us in Tennessee. As a kid, I grew up with the books being sent to my house. Only at the time, I thought Dolly knew me personally. When I found out I was wrong … I did not take it well. But as a daughter of immigrants, for me, seeing someone as loving as Dolly gave me a lot of hope. My love for her grew stronger when I went to Dollywood with my best friend, Bella. I was horrified of roller coasters. Like … I would freak out at the sight of them. We were going through the museum, admiring all of the wigs and costumes (we did costumes for Theatre Club in high school! Of course we had to), so getting to view all those beautiful fashion pieces together was a memorable moment. But during this time, she was begging me to ride the roller coasters with her. She convinced me, so while holding my hand every single ride, I got rid of my fear. That day in Dollywood remains a core memory for me, and I’m grateful I spent it with my best friend.
Trent Eades, Faculty Advisor
If I were forced to pick a favorite Dolly Parton song, it would be “Jolene.” It always chokes me up. The rhetorical situation – one woman begging another woman not to steal her man just because she can – is incredibly poignant, incredibly sad. The awareness that she can’t compete with Jolene, that her man would choose Jolene if given the choice, that her only hope of keeping her man is that he settles for a second choice – it tears me up, it makes my heart hurt. I know of no other song like it.
Most likely I first became aware of Dolly Parton through her appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson many decades ago. She was always hilarious, always so savvy. She used genuine wit to own her sexist critics who mocked her large bosom and blonde hair: “Nobody notices that I’ve got a great ass, too”; “I’m not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know that I am not dumb … and I also know that I’m not blonde.” She reminds me of Cyrano in Edmond Rostand’s play who demolished those who mocked his big nose by reeling off vastly superior “big-nose” insults. (Steve Martin’s Roxanne was based on the play.) Dolly’s heart, though, is much larger.
A few minutes after learning that Dolly had died, I walked into a dean’s office and witnessed an administrative assistant openly sobbing. The singer/business woman/philanthropist touched lives in a palpable way. It reminded me of how nearly the entire Pellissippi State faculty and staff a few years ago reacted to the sudden death of a beloved math faculty member, the late, great Dave Vinson. Some deaths hit hard.
Addison Chrivia, Managing Editor
Like most people who grew up in Tennessee, I was sent books by Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. I learned to read at an early age, and I adored it. Every time I’d get a book in the mail, I would be delighted to read it! Just having that positive relationship with reading and receiving those books really fostered my love for education and learning. It wasn’t long before I started visiting the library every week, checking out a truly monstrous stack of books filled with nonfiction and fiction alike, with the librarians giving me dubious looks and asking my mom, “Is she really going to read all of those?” To which the reply was always, “Yes, and then she will bug me until I take her back to get more.”
I can’t say that I loved listening to her music, or that I was deeply attached to her like others, but what I can say is that it’s truly rare for someone with as much talent, money, power, and fame to be so brilliant and kind to others. To make such a deep impact, that even those who she doesn’t know, or who might not know her, were so positively affected by her, just goes to show what a truly one-of-a-kind person Dolly Parton was.
Patrick Dobyns, Editor
I did not grow up in Tennessee. My childhood was spent moving around through several states, so I don’t have that same “hometown connection” that a lot of folks around me have with Dolly. That said, I did not grow up ignorant of her and what she’s done. I don’t recall if I learned first of her music or her charitable works, but there was never a time when I knew only one of these. The first time someone explained to me what a philanthropist was, my immediate reaction was, “Oh, like Dolly Parton!” She was always the example of what people with gifts should do with them – give freely and generously, without any judgement or conditions. She took what made her special and created so much pure good for everyone she could reach – and she found a way to reach so many people.
She put cities like Sevierville on the map. She saw there was a need for literacy programs in the South, so she started the Imagination Library. When I was working in a thrift store, I saw so many copies of Coat of Many Colors that I was convinced every household in Tennessee had a copy. Her foundation donated $1 million to disaster relief after Hurricane Helene ravaged Appalachia, and then she donated $1 million of her own personal funds. She supported LGBTQ+ rights while maintaining her Christian values. While she definitely deserves to be recognized for her musical and acting career, it is not for those that she is recognized as the Patron Saint of the South. That career made everything she should be recognized for possible.
Katie Extine, Contributing Writer
My mom signed me up for the Imagination Library at the hospital right after I was born. When I was younger, grabbing the mail and opening a new book was something I looked forward to each month. Dolly has always been someone to look up to; she always helped others when she could, she kept herself humble, and was a staple of Southern charm. To me, she encapsulates what being from the South should really be. One thing that I remember related to Dolly is when my dad casually brought up the fact that she used to cut his uncle Jerry’s hair during their junior and senior year, respectively, at Sevier County High School. I remember being so incredibly shocked by the fact that I had gone so long not knowing someone in my family knew her, and also how my father mentioned the tidbit so naturally like it was common knowledge. When my sister and I were younger, my family had season passes to Dollywood; we went so many times during the summers, and my mom always made sure we went in December as well, just so she could see “Christmas in the Smokies”. Dollywood has been a maker of many core memories for me; just this past summer I got to spend a day with an out-of-state friend in the theme park. It was her first time there, and I got to share many little facts about the different roller coasters and attractions with her, as well as take some hilarious on-ride pictures. Dolly will remain an inspiration for me till the end of time. She will always be a reason to chase your dreams, a reminder to care for others, an example of authenticity, and a person who makes me proud to be from East Tennessee.
Olyver LaGabed, Staff Writer
I moved to East Tennessee when I was 13 years old. I was struggling a lot mentally, and I was having an especially hard time adjusting to a new home on top of my own personal battles. That being said, one of the first times I truly felt as if I could grow to love Tennessee was the first time I went to Dollywood. There was just something so reminiscent of home during my first visit there, and that feeling only grew with each time I stepped into the park or listened to Dolly’s music. There was just this genuine, unrelenting love and kindness in everything she did. I never met her, and in all honesty I’m not a super-fan of her music – but she still reaches me in this way that’s hard to describe. Her music sounds like familiarity; it feels like coming home. Mine, and the hearts of every participating member of Imaginary Gardens, ache knowing that Dolly Parton is no longer here. But it is my belief that Dolly Parton will never truly die, not in any kind of way that matters. Her sound is intertwined with our Tennessee trees, mountains, and rivers. She is every act of southern hospitality, she is every book given to every child, and she is the embodiment of our generous East Tennessee values. Dolly may never perform again, and she may never write another song, but her impact knows no bounds, and she will never die. Dolly Parton, we will always love you.
Rebecka Jones, Staff Writer
I may not be Tennessee-born or into country music, but Dolly Parton has left a big impact on my life. When I moved to Tennessee at the age of six, my family signed up for Dolly’s Imagination Library, where we received a lot of children’s books from her. A lot of the books my parents raised me on came from Dolly’s library, books such as Llama Llama Red Pajama and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Part of my childhood came from Imagination Library, so part of me wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for Dolly.
Dollywood was another part of my childhood. My family and I used to go there a lot when I was younger, where I got to experience exhilarating roller coasters and beautiful country music. Dollywood was where I finally got over my fear of rollercoaster loops and learned to chase my dreams even if it sounds scary. I also made a lot of fun memories with my family there.
Dolly Parton had one of the kindest hearts I knew. She came from a poor background and sympathized with the poor, giving to the children through her Imagination Library and the families who lost their homes through her My People Fund. She changed many lives because of her compassion, and that is something I will always remember her by.
Katherine Long, Staff Writer
I don’t really have a deep personal connection to Dolly like many of the others here, but when I think about it, I realize she has always been part of my life in some way. Like many others, my siblings and I received books from Imagination Library growing up. I remember being so excited whenever a book showed up in the mail. I was also slightly confused as to where they came from and why, but I was still happy to read them. I have lived in Tennessee for my whole life, and my family goes to Dollywood at least a couple of times a year, and we frequently go alongside extended family and friends. It is always fun, and recently has helped me start getting over my fear of roller coasters. Visiting the park with family has been a great way to bond with each other. I know Dolly has impacted my life, and so many others too. The more I hear about her, the more incredible she becomes. She was always giving back to people, and she helped so many in a wonderful way. The Imagination Library alone is so impressive, and that is only one of the things she did. She was an amazing woman, and she will be deeply missed. May she rest in peace.
