08/26/2026
She’s the theme in my office, with subtle hints of her sprinkled around the store. She was (and forever will be) and example of what it means to just be good and not make people pick a side.
As a young girl, I grew up spending a lot of time in Sevierville, and had hopes of one day singing for Dolly and attending the University of Tennessee. As I got older, only one of those dreams came true, but Dolly remained an incredible role model to me. By the amount of calls and texts I received yesterday, I think many of you know that.
Dolly meant a lot to me, and not in just some type of fan way. She was an example of a woman, who built her way up in rooms she was likely to get overlooked in. Dolly was unapologetically herself, and never watered her faith down to please a crowd.
As a business owner, I looked up to Dollys creativity. It seemed she had her little hands in everything. Always new ideas and partnerships, thinking like a true entrepreneur.
She donated her time and money, she served her community, she brought tourism to her little mountain town, and she had incredible talent both on and off stage.
While I’m sad to see her leave this earth, I know that she is in a better place. I’d like to think she’s using her beautiful voice now to praise God and sing hymns in her healed heavenly body.
“How will I sing when you’re gone?
Cause it won’t sound the same
Who will join in on those harmony parts
When I call your name?”🎶💛🦋
