LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Dolly Parton famously sang about a "Coat of Many Colors," but perhaps one of her greatest legacies is woven from millions of pages.
The country music icon died Tuesday at 80 after a brief battle with cancer, according to her representatives. She died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville surrounded by loved ones.
She wrote hundreds of songs, including classics like "Jolene," "Coat of Many Colors" and "I Will Always Love You," that totaled more than 100 million worldwide sales and more than 1 billion online streams.
When asked by the Associated Press back in 2024 what she hoped her legacy would be 50 to 500 years from now, Parton said she wanted to be remembered as "somebody that tried to do some good in the world."
"Well, I hope that a lot of my songs may last that long, and I hope I'll be remembered as somebody that tried to do some good in the world and left, you know, a few good things behind, like the Imagination Library and some of the music I've done," she said.
Parton's death prompted tributes around the world, including in Kentucky, where her connections stretched from free books delivered to children's homes to a Louisville illustrator and a $5 State Fair show nearly five decades ago.
'Look, that's the book lady!'
One of her biggest impacts in the state came through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which mails a free book every month to children from birth until they turn 5.
Parton started the program in her home state of Tennessee in 1995 in honor of her father, who quit school to work on the farm and struggled to learn to read.
Since then, it has expanded around the world and distributed more than 300 million books.
In 2024, the Imagination Library expanded to every ZIP code in Kentucky, making the program available to children across the state regardless of their family's income.
Louisville's Bill Shory saw the program firsthand after his daughter was born in Tennessee.
"A nurse walked in and said we need to get her signed up for some Dolly books," he said.
But when the family moved to Louisville, the program wasn't there yet. Shory later helped co-found the local chapter and helped expand the Imagination Library across Kentucky.
 Bill Shory and Dolly Parton. (Photo courtesy of Bill Shory)
Along the way, he saw how some children knew Parton less as a country music superstar and more as the woman behind the books arriving at their homes.
"He says, 'Look, that's the book lady!'" Shory said, recalling one child's reaction to meeting Parton.
Shory said when Parton learned the child knew her that way, she said, "I love it. My daddy would be so proud."
Dolly Parton books at a Fairdale Library. (Photo courtesy of the Louisville Free Public Library)
In a statement, the Imagination Library of Kentucky said it was "deeply saddened" to hear of Parton's passing.
"We are so proud to realize her dream of the Imagination Library across the entire Commonwealth, and we will forever be grateful that she came to celebrate with us in 2024," the statement continued. "She leaves a legacy unlike any other in American life, and it will live on every time a Kentucky child receives her gift of reading."
The Imagination Library of Louisville said in its own statement the group was "heartbroken" over Parton's death.
"Dolly inspired generations with her music, one-of-a-kind personality, and limitless generosity," the statement continued. "We are privileged to be a part of her mission to get more books into the hands of more children through the Imagination Library of Louisville. We'll share ways you can honor her legacy and love for reading at a later time. For now, please keep Dolly's family in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this monumental loss. Rest in peace, Dolly. We will always love you."
Bringing Dolly's stories to life
Parton's ties to Louisville and children's books went even further.
Parton, an author of children's books herself, chose Louisville illustrator Mackenzie Haley to bring her "Billy the Kid" series to life.
"When she told me, I was like, 'Are you kidding?'" Haley said.
Dolly Parton's "Billy the Kid" series, designed by Louisville illustrator Mackenzie Haley. (Photo courtesy of Mackenzie Haley)
Haley said she had to sign a nondisclosure agreement before she could share the news, although she admitted she "technically" told her parents.
For Haley, it's difficult to comprehend that the woman who felt larger than life is gone.
"I knew whatever she's putting out in the world is going to be good," Haley said.
A $5 State Fair show
In 1978, Parton performed at the Kentucky State Fair rodeo. Tickets were just $5.
Dolly Parton performed at the Kentucky State Fair in 1978. (Photo courtesy of the Kentucky State Fair)
Dolly Parton performed at the Kentucky State Fair in 1978. (Photo courtesy of the Kentucky State Fair)
Dolly Parton performed at the Kentucky State Fair in 1978. (Photo courtesy of the Kentucky State Fair)
Kentucky State Police Trooper Robert Cox was assigned to escort Parton during her visit. His wife, Suesan Cox, said he never forgot it.
Kentucky State Police Trooper Robert Cox. (Photo courtesy of Suesan Cox)
"He thought she was just delightful," Cox said.
Parton left him with a signed photo: "To Trooper Robert Cox, Love Dolly."
The photo Parton signed for Trooper Robert Cox. (Photo courtesy of Suesan Cox)
Robert Cox died just 10 weeks before Parton.
"I hope they're saying hello to each other on the other side," Cox said.
The country music icon leaves behind a legacy not built on her voice, but her heart. Because even in her absence, she gives children the power to dream.
"How many people can leave that kind of legacy?" Shory said.
Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press also contributed to this report.
