Mid‑Michigan residents are mourning the death of country music icon Dolly Parton, disclosed Tuesday afternoon. Family members say Parton died peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones. No specific cause of death has been released.
Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her passing in a video posted on social media.
“Dolly Parton was respected and beloved in all genres of music, not just country – and not just as a singer, of course; as a songwriter too,” Seaver said. “Legend has it that she wrote ‘Jolene’ and ‘I Will Always Love You’ on the same day. Quite a woman.”
Parton rose from rural Tennessee poverty to become one of America’s most beloved entertainers, known for hits like “Jolene” and “9 to 5.” Over six decades, she built a career blending chart‑topping music, business ventures, and nationally recognized philanthropy.
Her impact reached deep into Mid‑Michigan. Literacy programs used in Lansing and Jackson, along with statewide country stations, helped cement her legacy across the region. Parton’s Imagination Library — a book‑gifting program for children five and younger — has long operated through local affiliates in Ingham, Eaton, and Jackson counties.
Kelly Haynie, Director of Program Innovations at Child and Family Charities, a community partner for the Imagination Library in specific Lansing neighborhoods, says Parton’s influence extended far beyond her music.
“Her impact definitely went beyond the songs and the music and the entertainment that she provided in her life,” Haynie said.
Michigan State University music student Caitlyn Falbe echoed that sentiment.
“I do think that it'll definitely affect the country,” Falbe said. “I think she's a very iconic figure and a positive figure for a lot of people.”
Tributes continue to pour in from across Michigan and the country, even reaching the executive branch. In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump said he directed American flags to be lowered Tuesday in Parton’s honor.