Tributes have been paid across Ayrshire to country music icon Dolly Parton following her passing yesterday, aged 80, after a “brief battle with cancer”.
The Tennessee-born star, known as “The Queen of Country”, was renowned for memorable hits across the 1970s and 1980s, including Jolene and I Will Always Love You.
The news of her death was followed by a statement read by Bryan Seaver, son of sister Cassie, on behalf of the Parton family, telling of her inspirational journey.
Seaver said: “It is an honour, one with pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. She has lived in the light, and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens.
“Dolly opened doors not just for me, but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible. She also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians, and dreamers from every walk of life.
“She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD, and on your phone playlist, becoming an extended part of your family.
“Our family, whom she has entrusted with her legacy, will work diligently hard to ensure her spirit will live for us forever.
“Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton, because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”
LEGEND: Dolly Parton starred as Doralee in the hit film 9 to 5 in 1980 (Image: NPR)
Tributes were shared across social media by fans across Ayrshire, sharing memories of “global icon and humanitarian” Parton and her impact on the music scene.
Endometriosis UK Ayrshire Support, who revealed Parton lived with the condition, said: “Her independence, resilience, generosity, humour, and determination inspired generations. We celebrate Dolly, a woman who forged her own path, lifted others along the way, and showed generations of women the power of being unapologetically themselves.”
“You brought so much light into this world, and your legacy will continue to shine.”
Local Line Dancing hosts Rhythm ‘n’ Boots, who heard the news during a class yesterday, said they will honour the legendary singer with inspired sessions in the coming days.
They said: “We heard the incredibly sad news about Dolly while we were right in the middle of our line dancing class tonight. There was only one thing we could do and pay our own little tribute to a woman whose music filled dance floors, brought people together and made generations sing, smile and dance.
“Thank you for the music, and rest easy, Dolly. Your songs will keep us dancing for generations to come.”
DANCING FOR DOLLY: Rhythm ‘n’ Boots dedicate their latest Line Dancing class to Dolly Parton (Image: Rhythm ‘n’ Boots via Facebook)
Dolly Parton was born in rural Tennessee, near the Great Smoky Mountains, on 19 January 1946 and raised in a one-bedroom cabin along with her 11 siblings.
She released her debut album, Hello I’m Dolly, in 1967 and rose to fame following a breakthrough appearance on The Porter Wagoner Show that same year.
She also collaborated with Kenny Rogers on Islands in the Stream in 1983.
Her song I Will Always Love You, originally written and recorded in 1973, achieved renewed global success following its inclusion in the 1992 film The Bodyguard, covered by Whitney Houston.
Parton made numerous appearances in Scotland across the years, including performances for Queen Elizabeth II at Glasgow’s Theatre Royal in 1977 and her final tour in 2014 at the OVO Hydro and Aberdeen.
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