Nearly two years ago to the day, the country music icon and philanthropist made an appearance at a tightly-packed Lyric Theater for a sit-down interview with the governor and first lady.
Parton made the trip to commemorate the expansion of her Imagination Library program to all 120 Kentucky counties, promising free books in the mail to children from birth until they begin school.
1/2 Dolly Parton was an American icon who brought people together and spread joy. In Kentucky, she shared her love of reading through her Imagination Library, sparking brighter futures for thousands of children across our commonwealth. pic.twitter.com/yG427rIpd6
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) August 25, 2026
On stage, she was asked how she wanted to be remembered, and her answer was delivered with the signature levity and humility that made her a unifying force in pop culture.
"I want to be remembered as a person that's done good things or tried to. Of course I want to be known as a songwriter and a singer, but I can honestly say that the Imagination Library has meant as much if not more to me than nearly anything that I've ever done," she said. "Of course I'll always be a singer-songwriter, but I just hope people will just say she was a good ol' girl, you know. She tried hard, she worked hard, and she tried to make the world a better place and try to make people happy."
In response to her passing, on Tuesday the board of the Imagination Library of Kentucky wrote that Parton leaves a "legacy unlike any other in American life, and it will live on every time a Kentucky child receives her gift of reading."
Flags are being lowered to half staff in her honor.
Parton was 80.