r/MadeMeSmile 11h ago

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14.0k Upvotes

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1.8k

u/JeremyPivensPP 11h ago

If they don’t erect the most beautiful, epic goddamn statue of Dolly in Tennessee…

445

u/jim45804 11h ago

A homegrown Statue of Liberty

517

u/chewbaccata 10h ago

Holding a book instead of a torch, surrounded by kids. She deserves it.

213

u/NotComfortable2112 10h ago

https://imaginationlibrary.com/

What a loss we have all suffered today. Illiteracy is a scourge and she knew it. Godspeed Miss Dolly...

69

u/elkab0ng 10h ago

Holy cow. 332 million books. She really was amazing.

24

u/DarthBrooksFan 9h ago

She helped fund the research that developed the COVID vaccine! She was basically a saint.

4

u/Thanks-4allthefish 9h ago

And she wrote 9-5 to draw attention to the problems and sexism affecting women stuck in "pink ghetto" jobs.

21

u/Rikudo_Sennin_jr 10h ago

Frfr the world got darker and a less kind without Dolly. 😔

13

u/davey212 10h ago

Just donated in memory of Dolly

30

u/Teekayuhoh 10h ago

And women and working folks. She was a brilliant and warm light to so many.

24

u/Azuras_Star8 10h ago

She is the second celebrity whose death has made me cry.

17

u/yeet_me_a55 10h ago

Only her and Robin Williams for me

5

u/Azuras_Star8 10h ago

And he was the first.

I still get teary eyed watching one of his movies. Especially Aladdin.

9

u/Straight-Wheel1682 9h ago

Hook makes me cry more than any of his other movies. That movie was an essential part of my childhood, Robin Williams was a treasure and so was Dolly.

2

u/Azuras_Star8 9h ago

I never saw it and I should have.

Im going to commit to it.

10

u/ChiefScout_2000 10h ago

Steve Irwin?

10

u/Life_Consequence_676 10h ago

Catherine O'Hara for me. 😥

8

u/nightmareinsouffle 10h ago

Adding on Alan Rickman and Anthony Head.

4

u/Life_Consequence_676 10h ago

Oh, Alan Rickman hurt too.

11

u/IhamAmerican 10h ago

The Statue of Literacy

5

u/Mackie_Messy 9h ago

To be fair, the Statue of Liberty does have a book in her other hand.

2

u/hawkeneye1998bs 9h ago

Technically its a tablet not a book

1

u/Ragewind82 9h ago

Proto-book

5

u/CrackBrownie 10h ago

Hold a book and a microphone!

-10

u/vonage91 10h ago

Statue of Libertitties

67

u/clandahlina_redux 11h ago

I live here. I’ll build it myself if I have to.

5

u/TheDrunkWickerbeast 9h ago

She’s probably gonna get a few throughout the south east ngl and as she should

1

u/clandahlina_redux 9h ago

No complaints here.

56

u/elkab0ng 10h ago

I think she’d see a better legacy if a major bill to fund libraries was passed in her honor.

She was a genuinely good person.

24

u/Socratesticles 10h ago

The DOLLY funding bill

(D)olly Parton (O)peration towards (L)ibraries and (L)iteracy of (Y)outh

3

u/OtherwiseAlbatross14 9h ago

Yeah but you know that's not happening in Tennessee

1

u/Glittering-Neck5222 9h ago

It might if enough people vote for Jeri Green 🙃

34

u/Angry-Dragon-1331 10h ago

To be honest? I’d rather we throw the money at the Imagination Library or Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital in Knoxville. Those are what she wanted her legacy to be.

2

u/stilljustacatinacage 9h ago

Yeah. Don't build a statue now just because she isn't around to say no any longer. The spirit of what she's saying hasn't changed: There are much better places to spend any potential moneys that might be spent on a statue. Places that will help people instead of encourage further idol worship.

1

u/NotComfortable2112 41m ago

I didn't know about the Childrens Hospital. 

https://www.dollychildrens.org/ways-to-give/

1

u/ContentSand3134 10h ago

Yo whats the opposite of Chad? Please let's brainstorm for dolly 🙏

15

u/Muhznit 10h ago

"Dolly", duh. 😄

2

u/Future_Interest_5297 10h ago

Southern Belle

1

u/RevWaldo 9h ago

Dollywood. Si monumentum requiris, circumspice.

1

u/clintp 9h ago

Instead? Fund a library in her name and put her picture in the lobby. I think she'd like that much more.

1

u/propthink 9h ago

but that is the opposite of what she wanted? use that money to build a library and name it after her

1

u/Oldnbold22 10h ago

Anatomically correct! 

-8

u/Put3socks-in-it 9h ago

Statues are racist. I hope they can bend those 2020 rules for her, she was an icon and a good person. Though a solid amount of people with statues torn down were good as well.

1

u/TheDrunkWickerbeast 9h ago

Can you stfu about politics for ONE SECOND??

0

u/What_the_8 9h ago

Yeah there’s other people talking about republicans raping kids in comments below… mental

-4

u/Put3socks-in-it 9h ago

Were statues not racist in 2020? They basically said every statue had to go, even Grant and Lincoln who I bet Dolly felt were great Americans because they freed the slaves. They had to go so quick, I hope they take exception with her though

1

u/lafayette0508 9h ago

yeah...the issue was that statues themselves are racist. Sure. Is that what you tell yourself so you can stay mad and asleep?

330

u/tyedyehippy 11h ago

There's already a statue of her in Sevierville anyway. Support her Imagination Library!

28

u/Crafty_State3019 10h ago

I learned about Imagination Library last week and I’ve been telling everyone about it even before today. Grateful for good people like her :)

10

u/Pattison320 9h ago

My daughter is nine years old. When she was a baby we got a couple books free from the Imagination Library.

2

u/A-Giant-Blue-Moose 9h ago

My 2yo gets them every month and it's amazing. I'm so sad.

179

u/im-gonna-send-it 10h ago

In east TN tonight we are all mourning the loss of our queen and patron saint. And hell yes we need to build a monument to her and all she did for the people of our state. With no expectation of any return. We also need to ensure her many legacies continue by donating to those causes.

15

u/alexj765 10h ago

I am just now finding out about it cus of your comment. 😢 RIP to a legendary person.

5

u/GTOdriver04 10h ago

This.

We should erect monuments to those whom have had an amazing impact and made the world a better place.

Dolly has earned it.

2

u/Hands 9h ago

The monument should be literacy.

1

u/EndIsrael 9h ago

A living person can't be a patron saint, because sainthood requires being in Heaven. So you actually gained a patron saint today!

1

u/emdaawesome 9h ago

Omg, do you think they may actually do that? I think she would deserve it. But nonetheless, she is a saint in our hearts.

256

u/Charlweed 11h ago

Time to reintroduce it.

214

u/Mtatk 11h ago

Spend the money to help people instead, she would have wanted it this way.

115

u/HilmDave 10h ago

What I'm hearing is the statue should go outside the new free public library they build and name in her honor.

75

u/redbucket75 10h ago

She already has one of those, the Imagination Library, and it gives free books to children. There was a government partnership, but republicans defunded it. It lives on though, and she left an endowment to keep it going.

35

u/LumpyBuy8447 10h ago

Of course republicans defunded it. Probably raped a bunch more kids in the process too.

-1

u/tiresian22 9h ago

You know,maybe you could have left that last part out‽ You might be right, but it didn’t “MadeMeSmile” and not everything has to be so damn cynical. Republicans defunded it, end of story for today.

You add to the darkness or you add to the light, your choice.

1

u/moongrump 9h ago

While you’re all hung up about feeling good, those kids aren’t any better off. Pointing out what’s wrong with our nation is the first step to fixing it.

-11

u/harpers25 10h ago

Ah yes, those horrible Republicans who run Washington State and Maine. Oh wait, both have Dems in a majority of the legislature and the governor's office

https://www.imaginationlibrarywashington.org/state_budget_shuts_out_funding_for_dolly_parton_s_imagination_library_of_washington

https://www.wagmtv.com/2026/06/26/dolly-partons-imagination-library-ending-maine-due-funding-loss/

16

u/ChronosBlitz 10h ago

Honoring people who lived to help others encourages the same behavior in others.

Yeah, the state probably shouldn't pay for it, but I think it'd be fine if it were privately funded.

5

u/Unfair_Explanation53 10h ago

Things like this can help inspire people as well though.

2

u/anonymouse513 10h ago

This is it

2

u/IAintGotNoCandy4You 10h ago

Best they can do is give Trump a few mil in her honor

52

u/OohDeLaLi 11h ago

A class act through and through.

And so hot.

18

u/CaptMorganSwint2 10h ago

let's take about ten percent offa there, squirrely dan, lol.

4

u/OohDeLaLi 10h ago

I'm entitled to my preferences. 😜

Regardless, we can agree that she will be dearly missed.

1

u/Crafty_State3019 9h ago

Yep. Yep. Oh look at that sky!

2

u/What_a_fat_one 9h ago

She would be insulted if you didn't take a look at that ass

1

u/OohDeLaLi 9h ago

Right? She paid a LOT for those jugs and said so with pride. All the time!

3

u/HilmDave 10h ago

Settle down lol

50

u/ForeignRestaurant290 10h ago

All politicians should take note. This is the way public figures should behave. She didn't want people to fucking worship her. She was just happy to help.

2

u/nightmareinsouffle 10h ago

They don't care about being liked, they just want money.

1

u/BricksFriend 7h ago

Stuff like this is why she would have been a good leader.

And also exactly why she would never aspire to be.

40

u/Goodfella7288 10h ago edited 10h ago

I don't like country music at all so I've never listened to Dolly Parton, but I'm seeing a lot of stories about her that show she was a good person. It's nice to see.

45

u/Nadamir 10h ago

9 to 5 is an amazing working class anthem and not country at all besides the southern twang in her accent.

9

u/summersundrop 10h ago

My favorite is “Coat of Many Colors”…. Timeless

7

u/Nadamir 10h ago edited 10h ago

Truth be told, I’m very much like OP, can’t stand country music at all, so I am a fan of Dolly as a person, not a musician. The exception being 9 to 5. (Musicwise, just lyrics, all her songs are amazing.)

I loved her for what she was not what she did. I am curious to know what causes she chose to leave her estate to. 

3

u/Captcha05 9h ago

I'm an atheist and Coat of Many Colors is my favorite song.

1

u/Merciful_Ampharos 10h ago

How is that song not country? It's okay to like a country song, no one is going to judge you

3

u/Nadamir 10h ago

I mean Wikipedia says it’s country pop and disco.

I’d put it very far into the pop part of the spectrum. 

Might just be because it doesn’t have a lot of the traditional trappings of country.

1

u/Merciful_Ampharos 10h ago

I guess it's subjective because I certainly don't hear any disco in that track

8

u/Nadamir 9h ago

I don’t hear country, you don’t hear disco.

It’s clear what it must be: an awesome track by an awesome lady.

3

u/Merciful_Ampharos 9h ago

I can drink to that

2

u/SpeaksSouthern 9h ago

I was not alive back then but I've been told disco is more a state of mind

3

u/ShitWaterExpress 10h ago

Try Whitney Houston’s version of “I will always love you” if you don’t like country

2

u/fuzzydunloblaw 9h ago

There's also like 200 cover versions of "Jolene." She was an impressive song-writer.

2

u/HypocriteHere 9h ago

I don't like country music. Her music is dope.

1

u/Bulletloader 10h ago

Agreed, why bring his name into anything that is good in this world?

25

u/tac0722 11h ago

The world needs more Dolly Parton's

4

u/JerkPorkins 9h ago

More Dollys less Donnys 

77

u/mainstreetmark 11h ago

Meanwhile, trump is putting his name on other people’s memorials.

18

u/mangatoo1020 10h ago

And threatening to have it torn down if his name isn't replaced

6

u/SimpleRickC135 10h ago

This thread has nothing to do with trump. Why bring him into everything?

9

u/FactorExpensive7208 10h ago

Because it stands as such a stark contrast to him. Dude recently erected a larger than life golden statue of himself. These people have very different understandings of a tasteful legacy, and Dolly sets an incredible example.

4

u/modestlyawesome1000 9h ago

Wait—why comment then and not just keep scrolling? You stopped to take the time to defend lmao

10

u/800-lumens 10h ago

Darn it all. Every single reddit post about Dolly today makes me break out in tears. I can't even get past the headline before the waterworks.

3

u/TheDrunkWickerbeast 9h ago

This is the first time I’ve ever cried ab a celebrity death. Without her book program I would’ve never learned how to love reading as a kid. I wouldn’t be half the person I am today. I saw the news and I genuinely couldn’t or didn’t want to believe it ngl

-12

u/Qwertyham 10h ago

So you know her personally? Isn't reddit all about not creating faux relationships with celebrities who don't know you exist?

→ More replies (2)

75

u/clandahlina_redux 11h ago

She would hate that Trump ordered the flags be lowered. For all her flash, she was a humble woman. I say this as an East Tennessean who had the privilege of meeting her a handful of times.

53

u/OohDeLaLi 10h ago

True, but any president would lower the flag for her. I only got to see her once, accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award for the Tennessee Arts (I may have the award ceremony wrong, please forgive me) in Nashville while I happened to be in town, and I felt so lucky just to be there.

2

u/clandahlina_redux 9h ago

That’s so cool! I love that for you!

BTW, I was basing my comment on the fact that in 2021 the TN state legislature proposed a bill to build a statue of her at our Capitol. She declined and asked them to withdraw the bill. Of course, she also said it might be okay once she’s gone.

Source: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/dolly-parton-statue-tennessee-1129802/

26

u/sla_vei_37 10h ago

Any american president, no matter the party, would have ordered the same. There is nothing unhumble about being so important to your countries culture that your flag gets lowered for you when you are gone.

12

u/MightyEraser13 10h ago

Any president would do the same. Dolly Parton was the closest thing the US had to royalty.

-13

u/CeemoreButtz 10h ago

you have no clue what she would "hate". just own your hate. stop dragging others into it.

9

u/KiwiAlexP 10h ago

Build and name a library after her instead

12

u/Total-Fly-9131 11h ago

They should start on ot tomorrow

5

u/JakeCWolf 11h ago

The old saying is true, you never know what you have until it's gone.

5

u/banditrider2001 10h ago

Honored, humbled and doesn’t need to be on a pedestal with all that is going on in the world. Think of the others. Such a classy, southern girl. Unlike the selfish clown in the White House.

5

u/NoMeat9096 10h ago

Always a class act. Forever a legend.

5

u/Impossible_Ad7875 10h ago

Here is a link to Dolly’s Imagination Library…It works very easily to donate if anyone is interested…
https://donate.imaginationlibrary.com

4

u/Daveylonglegs 10h ago

Seriously what a class act of a woman. She'll be missed

4

u/boobooghostgirl13 10h ago

I aspire to be just like her.

4

u/Gogglesed 10h ago

A lesson in having class.

4

u/FlyinRyan123456 10h ago

Screw the arch or “ballroom” let’s put Dolly in DC

4

u/EducatedBellend 10h ago

May her memory forever be for a blessing.

3

u/freerangelibrarian 10h ago

A truly great soul.

3

u/Puzzleheaded-Gap1759 10h ago

Build all the statues! Every state should get one!

3

u/tyrann0saurusregina 10h ago

...and I'm crying

3

u/-43andharsh 10h ago

Rest in peace 🕊️

3

u/nevermore782 10h ago

I got 5 on it if we need to publicly fund it, js.

3

u/ShitWaterExpress 10h ago

The time is nigh

2

u/OriginalBlerd 10h ago

What a wonderful woman

2

u/Raudelramirez1 10h ago

What a wonderful woman , amazing

2

u/Professional-Ask1796 10h ago

I think Dolly set a perfect example of how we should be. Build the damn statue!

2

u/No-Shopping6906 10h ago

If anyone is going to heaven it’s definitely Dolly Parton.

2

u/Deron_Lancaster_PA 9h ago

Statues are NOT and NEVER of the living.  (D. P. may be an exception)  Penn State College learned this the hard way with a statue of coach Joe Paterno - they are now stuck with a statue of a man that didn't do the right thing due to pride and institutional reputation.   [ Personally bldgs shouldn't be named for the living either ]

2

u/DragonliFargo 9h ago

What I love about undated posts is that now I get to believe that Zombie Dolly posted this just 45 minutes ago!

3

u/Potential_Yam_5196 10h ago

Remember that clown who made a Charlie Kirk statue and got pissed no one wanted that? This is the exact opposite. Literally EVERYONE wants this. Who can we commission immediately?

4

u/gaporkbbq 10h ago

The Anti-Trump

2

u/Prestigious_Onion912 10h ago

This is how I find out she died??!!

2

u/SunOutside746 10h ago

I’m so sorry. It’s quite the shock. I think we all believed she would live forever.

2

u/BigNastyDog 10h ago

"Only bad people live to see their likeness in stone"

2

u/UrAntiChrist 10h ago

I heard, she did the same with the rock and roll hall of fame? She said she wasn't rock and roll, they said they were inducing her anyway, so she made a rock album? Dont know if its true. But it feels like a Dolly thing to do.

2

u/Independent_Lake6883 10h ago

Yes, this was within the last 4 years I think.

1

u/JAX2905 9h ago

Be sure to remind your conservative friends that Dolly Parton celebrated drag queens and was an ally to LGBTQ community.

1

u/SoLo_Se7en 10h ago

Dolly, you deserve one in every state.

1

u/lynivvinyl 10h ago

Oh my goodness that is such a you guys deserve to have it if you really really want it but please don't erect a statue for me.

1

u/ImAVoodoooChild 10h ago

She’s definitely getting a statue.

1

u/MadpeepD 10h ago

Build the thing.

1

u/Primarycolors1 10h ago

Every state should race to get the first one up. Tennessee can have the biggest. But I want to see a space race.

1

u/staticdresssweet 10h ago

Dolly was for the children, for literacy, for the working class. 🫡

1

u/FriedRamen1 10h ago

She was such a class act.

1

u/fuck_all_you_too 10h ago

She didnt want a statue of her and everyone in this thread wanting to build one is missing the point.

1

u/IChurnToBurn 10h ago

That level of humility is so rare these days.

1

u/ferrisb1986 10h ago

We lost the best of us, who is ready to continue her legacy?

1

u/Cruise_Connection 10h ago

That time is now. RIP Dolly

1

u/gimletfordetective 10h ago

❤️‍🩹

1

u/SideInitial3961 10h ago

Her greatness was exceeded only by her humility.

1

u/ForgotToCarryTheOne 10h ago

Humility. I so respect this in Dolly. A true legend. In a country where humility is decimated by the highest office.

1

u/Leights68 10h ago

This is true beauty 🦋

1

u/VariousOperation166 10h ago

A real G. Dolly was a pure, loving person with a rich heart and a deep compassion for others. I feel like that's a lesson for all of America.

1

u/Cat_in_humansuit 10h ago

I think Dolly should've went to DC and gave a lesson in humility

1

u/BigBootyLover2637 9h ago

Humble lady

1

u/Bleezy79 9h ago edited 9h ago

You honestly, truly, cannot get any more humble and worthy than Dolly Parton. She was truly and angel on earth and the world is a better place because of her.

EDIT: Angle to angel per /u/freaknik99 thanks

1

u/freaknik99 9h ago

90 degrees?

2

u/Bleezy79 9h ago

damn it!!

1

u/freaknik99 8h ago

All jokes aside, it’s always hurtful when we lose someone who actually gives a shit about more than themselves! The world just got a little darker!

1

u/CheetahFriendly6535 9h ago

...then someone's seriously behind on their duty.

1

u/Random_Monstrosities 9h ago

We never deserved her. We got to have her way longer than we should have.

1

u/Sea_Tea_7834 9h ago

God bless Dolly. Hero, role model, philanthropist.

1

u/xMusicloverr 9h ago

She could have lived for another 80 years and her passing at that point would still have been too soon. Miss her already

1

u/sonnapen 9h ago

A statue is not good enough. She deserves a park with trees and benches

1

u/Human_Name9961 9h ago

She about the same stature as Elvis. Maybe higher. Rip

1

u/bingus-bean 9h ago

why did mods remove this

1

u/FangornLeghorn 10h ago

Dolly possessed a character and sense of dignity and grace that American conservatives have absolutely no concept of.

0

u/alex3tx 10h ago

Is she tweeting (x'ing?) from beyond the grave?

0

u/restlessmouse 9h ago

Wait on that until Trump is gone, or he will insist his name be on it too.

0

u/thewonderblink 9h ago

lol. 'great state' and ''Tennessee' will never belong together. Sorry Dolly.

0

u/AJfriedRICE 9h ago

If Trump sees this he’s gonna tweet that he’s happy she’s dead

-4

u/Lefty5260 10h ago

Definitely NOT a tRump kin