Dolly Print

Dolly Parton was born one of twelve children in a one-room cabin in the Smoky Mountains with no running water, no electricity, and no reason to believe the world would ever know her name. Her daddy worked the fields while her mama raised the family. Gospel hymns filled their home and filled Dolly’s heart. And she began to sing. She had a voice so pure and sweet that it could lift a song higher than the hills she called home.

Dolly carried that voice all the way to the world’s biggest stages — and instead of keeping the spotlight for herself, she used it to shine on others. Dolly’s library has given more than 200 million free books to children. She’s funded scholarships, supported hospitals, restored wildlife, and invested in education for those in need.

When devastating fires nearly burned her hometown to the ground, Dolly established a fund called My People and gave every displaced family hope and financial help until they were home again. She’s been a quiet servant too–with generous acts of kindness. She has privately paid off medical bills and funded community centers and served the community without recognition. Dolly has lived her whole life outside of the box and loved those inside the margins.

Through it all, she’s stayed humble, grateful, and grounded in her faith. “I just try to be a light,” she says. “And let God do the rest.”

We know Dolly because of her music, but I hope we will remember her for her heart. 

Dolly Parton’s voice is still lifting higher than the hills. And maybe it should remind us today: to do what you can with what you have. And let God handle the rest.

From a cabin with no lights to becoming one of the greatest country stars ever, Dolly Parton has lived out her song.  Teaching us that it’s not what you have, but what you give, that truly makes you shine bright. May we all sing along.