ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Dolly Parton, the widely-admired multi-hyphenate musician, has died at 80 years old. Asheville residents and visitors gathered at a West Asheville mural of the singer to commemorate her legacy.
The Dolly Parton mural, depicting the artist with drag queen and media personality RuPaul, was painted by artist Gus Cutty on the side of Beauty Parade hair salon, located at 783 Haywood Road, Asheville, N.C.
Parton’s death was announced on Instagram by her nephew, Brian Seaver, around 2 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2025. By 3 p.m., nearly two dozen admirers had come to pay tribute to Parton at the mural.
‘Queen of kindness’: Asheville responds to Dolly Parton’s death
The visitors each had their own reasons for loving Parton, but each emphasized the love, kindness and acceptance the musician was renowned for.
“I was born in a very small town in Tennessee and raised in a really, really Christian home, and she really embodied what it means to live like Christ. You don’t see that a lot,” said Rebekah Forester. “I’m not religious myself, but I still have a lot of friends who are, and it’s very rare to see someone actually live what they preach. She absolutely did that. Like, she loved everybody no matter what.”
Forester also expressed appreciation for Parton’s advocacy for people of all creeds, backgrounds and identities.
“She was such a strong defender of the queer community and that means so much to me. She just… I wanted her for president. That’s what we were all just saying. We were like, she was supposed to be our president,” Forester chuckled. “It’s just that kindness and that love that she shared for everyone. She didn’t need to agree with you. She didn’t need to believe the same things she did. She cared about people for people, and we need more of that.”
Carol Clarke was in the middle of a haircut at Beauty Parade when the news of Parton’s passing was announced.
Clarke echoed Forester’s description of Parton as a champion of all people.
“She was just so accepting of anybody that walked the earth, and I love that about her,” Clarke said. “You wouldn’t maybe think that she was, but she was iconic in every way. Artistically. The way she opened her arms to people and was a loving kind person.”
While Clarke was speaking, the sound of Parton’s music wafted out of Rowan Coffee, located across the street from the Parton mural.
“Jolene” was one of the tunes this reporter heard. The track is a favorite karaoke tune for Iana Montgomery, who also came to pay tribute to the singer.
“I love singing ‘Jolene’ at karaoke. As horrible as it may be for the people around me, I will do it every time, and I’m feeling really in the mood to just belt it into the world right now,” Montgomery said. “I love to sing, so she’s inspirational on that level, but just on the interpersonal, I grew up hearing about Dolly just being a really wonderful person.”
Montgomery said that they had family members from Sevierville, Tennessee, Parton’s hometown, who were able to go to college because of local support from Parton.
“She was eternally a legend through the women that I know, and then growing up and realizing that it’s not just my own perception, that’s a worldwide perception of Dolly,” Montgomery said. “A Southern behemoth of a woman. Just all of the femininity and charm and strength, in combination with her, like, raw f–ing talent.”
Parton was a woman who wore a coat of many colors. In addition to her music, her charities, business savvy and advocacy are remembered by her fans.
“Honestly, it’s not even about the music. Like, the one song that stands out in my mind is working ‘9 to 5,’ you know? But just who she was as a person, and the love and the beautiful joy that she put out in the world, especially with her book program for kids,” reflected Megan Helbert. “I think she was a bright light in this world and I hope it continues to ripple throughout society, the example that she set to what you can do with power and with wealth. You can do so much good in the world and I think she exemplified that with every ounce of her being.”
Beauty Parade owner Terra Marshall said that the Parton mural was originally commissioned to cover a ‘quite hideous’ painting of a little girl licking ice cream.
“Of course, it had to be Dolly, because she’s from the area and she’s the queen of kindness and love, and, you know, why not?” Marshall said. “The main reason was to cover it up and just honor her for basically being a goddess and accepting everyone.”
Marshall said that since the painting was completed, tourists had stopped to take pictures in front of it nearly every day.
State and national tributes to Dolly Parton
Seaver served as Parton’s head of security for more than 20 years, a role filled by his father before him. In his tribute, he reflected on the reach of her cultural impact and shared one of her final wishes.
“My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you. She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD, and on your phone playlist, becoming an extended part of your family whether you liked it or not. Our family and the team she has entrusted with her legacy will work diligently to ensure her spirit will live with us forever. Dolly was a farmer, just like her daddy. He farmed the soil, she farmed songs and happiness,” Seaver wrote.
“Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton, because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest. Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly, Aunt Granny, GG. May God bless Dolly Parton, and may God bless you all. She will always love you.”
Governor Josh Stein shared his impressions of Parton on social media shortly after the news of her passing was announced.
“Dolly Parton was so special, so universally loved. The first word that came to my mind just now was ‘authentic,’ which is funny since she is well known for her big wigs and extravagant gowns. But she was always herself,” Stein said. “Her music was powerful and moving — Anna [Stein] and I have a special fondness for ‘Islands in the Stream’ with Kenny Rogers. But her impact on the world was much greater — from providing kids free books to funding vaccine research and promoting tolerance. America lost one of our best today.”
The federal government has weighed in, too. At 6 p.m. this evening, the American flag will be lowered throughout the United States for a one week period in memory of the musician, the White House shared on social media.
More Asheville recognition of Dolly Parton
Melanie Wilkinson, host of “The Melanie Show” on Mix 96.5, said that Parton was a lifelong inspiration to her.
“Dolly Parton has meant so much to me over the course of my entire life. She’s just always been around. She was blonde and bold and an absolute queen. I looked up to her, not only for her music but for her business acumen,” Wilkinson said.
Local nonprofit music venue White Horse Black Mountain posted a tribute to the musician on Facebook.
“Right now the world and our mountains feel a little quieter. We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dolly Parton—an unmatched songwriter, a radiant spirit, and a true daughter of Southern Appalachia,” White Horse wrote. “Dolly showed us all what it means to lead with generosity, tell stories with unflinching honesty, and lift up a community through the power of song. While our stage welcomes an eclectic mix of musical traditions, her enduring influence echoes through so many of the artists who step up to our microphones.”
Parton was a cherished advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. The Asheville Gay Men’s Chorus expressed its gratitude in a social media post.
“The Asheville Gay Men’s Chorus morns the passing of LGBTQIA Icon and music legend, Dolly Parton,” the group wrote. “We hoped this day would never come, but we are grateful that your music, memory, and Legacy will live forever…”
ArtsAVL, the Asheville area arts council, recommended Asheville residents and tourists stop by the Beauty Parade mural in their tribute.
“We will always love you,” ArtsAVL said. “Today, our region lost one of it’s most powerful artists and advocate for the arts. Dolly Parton brought the Appalachian spirit of generosity, humor, and storytelling into homes across the globe. You can visit with Dolly at one of Asheville’s most beloved public art installations, a mural by Gus Cutty at the corner of Haywood Road and Mildred Avenue in West Asheville.”