When I was a little kid up in the mountains of western North Carolina, we got just a couple of TV channels. One of them was out of Knoxville. Every weekend my parents and I faithfully watched the likes of Arthur Smith, Bonnie Lou and Buster, and Flatt and Scruggs, but my favorite was always the Porter Wagoner show. That is, of course, where we first learned the name Dolly Parton. We were enthralled by her talent at such a young age, but we had no idea then what a huge legend she would become around the world…not just for singing and songwriting and acting, but for her philanthropy, her books given to children, her inclusivity and kindness, her humor. I admire the fact she never forgot her roots, where she came from over in East Tennessee. One of my favorite movies ever is Steel Magnolias. My daughter and I quote the characters, including Truvy (Dolly) more often than we probably should.

It was with great sadness that people everywhere learned of Dolly’s passing this week. I can’t really picture a world without Dolly Parton in it. Rest in sweet peace.