FL Musicians, Venues, Activists Pay Tribute To Dolly Parton

Floridians are mourning the loss of country music legend and beloved humanitarian Dolly Parton after her death on Tuesday following a brief battle with cancer.

Everyone from musicians and artists to educators and activists in many areas, including literacy, LGBTQ+ rights, and animal rescue, has commented on her passing, paying tribute to how she’s touched their lives.

The artist, who proudly hailed from Tennessee, also had a connection to Florida after opening her Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show in Panama City Beach last summer.

Dade City’s The Bellamy Brothers band, also country music icons, shared a touching goodbye to their friend on social media.

“We’ve known Dolly Parton a long time, and like everybody who was lucky enough to cross her path, we loved her,” the band wrote in a post. “Back in 2005, we got the chance to record ‘If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body’ together. Dolly told us she’d always wanted to sing that song, and hearing her voice on it is something we’ll treasure even more today. She was one of a kind... talented beyond words, funny, gracious and always Dolly. Country music lost one of its greatest, and we lost a friend. We love you, Dolly. We’ll miss you.”

Florida State Fairgrounds staff also honored Parton, noting her performance at the state fair in the early 1970s.

“Dolly Parton has spent decades sharing her talents, lifting others up, and making a difference through her generosity, philanthropy, and love for her fans. From unforgettable music to inspiring millions through initiatives like the Imagination Library, her impact reaches far beyond the stage,” the staff wrote in a social media post. “We're proud to have a small piece of that incredible story in our history, as Dolly performed at the Florida State Fair in 1971 alongside Porter Wagoner. Today, we're celebrating a true icon whose influence has touched generations and whose legacy continues to shine as brightly as ever. Thank you for the music, the memories, and the inspiration, Dolly.”

• Related Story: Dolly Parton — Country Music Legend And Philanthropist — Dead At 80, Family Says

Ruth Eckerd Hall’s staff also recalled the performer’s shows at the venue.

“Clearwater was lucky enough to see Dolly Parton light up the Ruth Eckerd Hall Stage in 1992, 2008, 2011, and then with Ruth Eckerd Hall On The Road in Tampa in 2016,” a social media post from the venue read. “She was an absolute legend and one we'll never forget!”

Staff at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota also said in a social media post that they were “deeply saddened” by Parton’s passing, adding that the venue “was fortunate enough to welcome” her to the stage in 2011.

“As we remember a true icon, we’re grateful for the unforgettable memories she created here and the music that will live on for generations,” the venue said.

St. Petersburg theater artist Mary S. Berry told Patch that she had worked with Parton in the past.

“I had the honor of working on a couple projects with her and can confirm that she is truly as kind as she seemed, and an eager storyteller,” Berry said.

Known for her philanthropy, Parton also touched lives beyond her music as a fierce advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, literacy and education, and animals.

“Dolly Parton gave the world more than unforgettable music. She showed us the power of generosity, literacy, joy, authenticity, and making room for people to be fully themselves,” Allendale UMC in St. Petersburg wrote in a social media post. “Today, we remember a life that made the world brighter, kinder, and a whole lot more fabulous. Rest in power, Dolly.”

In a social media post, Equality Florida thanked Parton for her support of the LGBTQ+ community.

“Thank you, Dolly, for a lifetime of love, music, and unwavering support,” the organization wrote. “For decades, Dolly used her platform not just to entertain, but to uplift and be a true ally. Here's to Dolly: an unapologetic friend to our community, an icon for the ages, and a reminder that kindness and glitter can absolutely coexist.”

Influenced by her own upbringing and growing up poor, Parton was dedicated to giving free books to children through her education nonprofit the Imagination Library.

The musician’s family is asking her fans to make donations to the organization in lieu of flowers following her death.

Michelle Lafluer-Box with Bess the Book Bus, a nonprofit that gives free books to children, told Patch that she was “super sad and gutted” by Parton’s death.

Those behind the book bus have been “tremendously inspired” by the musician’s dedication to literacy and “her commitment to breaking down economic barriers to making books accessible to young readers,” Lafluer-Box said, adding, “Her message and spreading of awareness of childhood literacy has really helped us gain support over the years. The work continues in our grief … [Wednesday] we kick off our busy schedule visiting pre-K through second-grade classes at 17 Hillsborough County Public Schools, four times each over the 2026/2027 school year. Each student and teacher gets to shop for free new books for home and classroom libraries. Our ‘Joy of Reading Pop Up Book Fairs’ are beautiful, impactful events.”

The Florida Kiwanis encouraged others to follow in Parton’s footsteps.

“Dolly Parton's impact went far beyond her music. She was a passionate advocate for children and literacy, believing that every child deserves the opportunity to discover the joy and possibilities that come from a book,” the civic organization wrote in a social media post. “That same spirit of giving is at the heart of what we are doing through Governor Tommy’s project. If you haven’t built a Little Library in your community or donated books to help put stories into the hands of children, let today be the day you start planning. It doesn’t take much. One little library. One book. One simple act of kindness. Because when we invest in our children, we invest in our future.”

PEN America, which has a Miami office in response to the prevalent book banning in Florida in recent years, also wrote in a social media post, “PEN America mourns the death of Dolly Parton. Her songs will live forever — as will the impact of her Imagination Library, which has gifted more than 332 million books to children in 5 countries over the past 31 years.”