Dolly Parton made a surprise appearance at a ribbon cutting ceremony two months before her death at age 80.
The “Jolene” singer made the rare public outing at the opening of Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop, a travel center inspired by her decades as a touring musician, in Cornersville, Tennessee, in June.
“I wanted to welcome all of you, we’re very excited about our truck stop,” Parton told attendees at the event. “I’ve spent my whole life traveling on the road, so anyways, I wanted to welcome you and say thanks.”
Parton also joked about competitor Buc-ee’s, adding, “I’m sure some of you want to know why I wanted a truck stop. Well, I couldn’t leave it to beavers. I had to throw my spurs in there myself.”
The singer further gushed about the truck stop, “Well, the doors are open and I could not be prouder. Whether you are hauling loads, hauling the family, or just passing through, we built this place for you. Good food, real rest, a little music, and people who are genuinely glad you stopped in. That’s what the road has always deserved, and that is what you will find here. Welcome home.”
Parton’s rep confirmed her death in a statement on Tuesday, August 25.
“Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright, and author died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee,” read a statement from Parton’s rep on Tuesday, August 25. “A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family.”
The statement continued, “Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”
A cause of death has not yet been revealed.
Three months before Parton’s death, the 9 to 5 star announced that she was postponing her Las Vegas residency over health concerns.
“I am here to give you an update on a few things going on in my life,” she began in a social media video in May. “First, it’s concerning my health. And I have some good news and a little bad news. The good news is I’m responding really well to meds and treatments and I’m improving every day.”
She continued, “Now, the bad news is, it’s gonna take me a little while before I’m up to stage performance level. Because some of the meds and treatments make me a little bit swimmy-headed, as my grandma used to say. And of course, I can’t be dizzy carrying around banjos, guitars and such on five-inch heels.”
Comparing herself to a “classic car” in need of restoration, Parton promised to return “better than ever” after her recovery.
“When they raised the hood on this old antique, they realized that I need to rebuild my engine and that my transmission is slipping, my oil pan is leaking, my muffler is busted and my shocks and pistons need to be replaced, and for sure, my spark plugs need to be changed,” she said. “My immune system and my digestive system got all out of whack over the past couple three years, and they’re working real hard on rebuilding and strengthening those and hopefully I’ll be up to snuff again soon.”
