Global icon Dolly Parton has died at 80. Known as the “Queen of Country,” Parton’s music, personality, and philanthropy crossed social and musical barriers. North Texas was lucky to get a few memorable visits from the superstar over the years. The region is now reflecting on this great loss with the rest of the world. Dolly Parton was a legend, an icon, a superstar, and a household name. News spread quickly that Parton had died at 80 years old. Smokey Rivers, Assistant Program Music Director and midday personality with 99.5 The Wolf, said the loss is significant for his listeners and beyond. “You just get the feeling that she could be your neighbor. So, her music really strikes home for people because they know where it’s coming from,” Rivers said. “I mean, I literally almost couldn’t get through reading the announcement on the air. You just think Dolly is going to be here forever.” Parton’s presence transcended genres and generations. Rivers reflected on how that was possible during his interview with NBC 5. “I don’t rightly know. She probably doesn’t really know,” he said. “She was always able to bridge those genres together. She was just really great at wiping away borders.” Even in the world of sports, Parton was what some would call the G.O.A.T. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talked about her 2023 Thanksgiving Day performance, when she donned the famous cheerleader uniform. “We were all just memorized, if you will. She was every bit as authentic in person as she ever was as an entertainer,” Jones said. North Texas fans also shared some of their favorite memories. “She was stylish. And just who she was, little ol’ Dolly, but she was fierce,” said one fan. “My grandfather, she was one of his favorites, so she’s been around for a long time, and she’s been an icon ever since,” another fan said. The Salvation Army, which received a $1 million donation from Parton during the historic 2023 Cowboys game, released the following statement: “Dolly said she grew up believing other people were just as important as she was. In a life filled with extraordinary success, she never seemed to forget that.” Rivers said he’d never met Parton but heard stories from many people who had. He told us, though, that he felt he got to know her through his decades as a radio personality playing her songs. “I’m hoping people kind of pick up the torch, so to speak, and try to do good things when they hear Dolly and think of her in the coming days and coming years,” Rivers said. Dolly Parton’s career spanned music, TV and film, and included 11 Grammys and inductions into Country Music and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame. Parton’s team said she had faced a brief battle with cancer and died Tuesday surrounded by her loved ones. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. ...read more read less