Most people when you ask will tell you that 2016 was a horrible year for the loss of celebrities, particularly celebrities that were more well-respected than others. I distinctly remember everyone that I know waiting for the year to finally get over.
It did, but not without a few last shots (Carrie Fisher and Greg Lake, for me in particular, were pretty tough to take), but throughout the year, paragons of talent and philanthropy, such as Muhammad Ali, Alan Rickman, Morley Safer and Prince were lost, and we felt that.
This year, particularly the last month, is following those footsteps, but one loss was both shocking and left anyone that heard about it devastated — that being Dolly Parton.
Ms. Parton was the type of person we all should emulate. She was talented beyond talent; acting, songwriting, singing, musicianship all looked so easy coming from her. That wasn’t her only talent, though. She was top to bottom a sweet, charitable and caring person, and crafty and savvy businesswoman, and an entrepreneur seemingly with a Midas touch.
A very good friend of mine recounted a tale of her largesse, in that all told, she has doled out more than $600 million to charitable causes across the nation. This includes monetary incentives to high school students to graduate, performing concerts to raise money for victims of wildfires, and donations to hospitals to help children suffering from leukemia, just to name a few.
Even in East Texas, her magnanimity has been felt; many of the area’s libraries offer “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library,” a service that delivers books to children to kick-start good reading habits.
I particularly enjoyed her forays into acting, and I’ll tell most people that ask that my secret “shame” (not really a shame, but there it is) is that “Steel Magnolias” is one of my favorite movies.
I don’t think that there are enough adjectives, metaphors, similes or even hyperbole to cover her musical talent. All I can say is it was otherworldly, and anyone who would say a disparaging word can meet me outside.
When my daughters were young, I introduced them to “Jolene,” that hallmark of a song that has been covered so many times it’s almost a requirement to graduate music school. To this day, they stop and listen when it is played.
The last time I saw her perform was at her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She was clearly enjoying it, and she clearly was not phoning it in. Ms. Parton held her own in a duet with Rob Halford of Judas Priest, which to those in the know, that is no mean feat. She even has gone as far as covering Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” which is not an easy song by any measure.
One of the things that I admired most about Ms. Parton was her Christianity, and her traditional values. I’ve read numerous things about her — her tolerance for everyone, her love for everyone — but more importantly she was honest about her faith and didn’t fall into the trap that many celebrities do, that being embracing edgy performance and edgy causes to remain relevant.
One story that has stuck with me is when she told someone that she had tattoos but kept them covered — she wore fingerless gloves while in public — saying that they were only for her husband to see. That right there speaks more to character and values than anything.
Some folks tried to stir up trouble regarding her faith; my own daughter took the opportunity to disparage Charlie Kirk. Her point was we all should be Christian Like Ms. Parton, not Christian like Charlie Kirk. There is a lesson there, but I’ve known her all her life and that lesson would fall on deaf ears.
God grant you rest, Ms. Parton. You gave us all so much joy, and we all are better people for your journey on this earth.
Tony Farkas is editor of the Trinity County News-Standard and the San Jacinto News-Times. He can be reached at tony@polkcountypublishing.com.
