Remembering Dolly Parton
Monday Ministerial Musings
By Rev. Mark William Ennis
2026 Blog #33
September 21, 2026
In my last two blogs I wrote about Saint Clare and Saint Francis and the great work that they did while living lives of poverty. Today I am writing about another person who did great works but did so out of wealth, Dolly Parton.
I can remember Dolly Parton most of my life. Her career began in the 1960’s when I was still in grammar school, but I don’t recall hearing her music until I was in high school. The guys in my high school enjoyed talking about Dolly Parton’s physical attributes. Her music was not popular among my high school friends, but her looks were.
It was later, after high school that I discovered her music, and her movie “9-5” which I rather enjoyed. In later years I really enjoyed her work with Kenny Rogers as they sang “Islands in the Stream” together. I felt joy when I listened to her music but at that time, I had no idea of what her life was like or had been. It was in later years that I saw her more spiritual movies, many with angels as characters. It was then that I began to investigate Dolly’s life.
Yes, we all know that she grew up in poverty and had a myriad of siblings. Who doesn’t know that? But how many of us know of the good work she did or the Christian faith she proclaimed more boldly than many of us who call ourselves Christian.
How many of us would build a multimillion-dollar business to give jobs to those who have lived in generational poverty?
How many of us would have an industry with a chapel on premises named for the doctor that delivered us?
Yes, Dolly became enormously wealthy, but she used much of her money to bless others. It is estimated that she gave away $ 300 million dollars in supplying free books to impoverished children in the county where she grew up. If we became wealthy, would we be so generous with those around us who lived in poverty?
Dolly never denied her Christian faith. In fact, she proclaimed it. She believed that when she was six years old, she was anointed by God to “be a light” and to “life people up.” Are we as willing to proclaim our faith or work hard to be the light of others?
Later, I came to love her more recent movies. They were like Hallmark Christmas movies, but unlike Hallmark movies, Dolly’s had Godly themes to them which I found inspiring. Her movies Unlikely Angel, and Christmas on the Square all had God, angels and faith. I like these additions to Christmas movies which too often forget to mention God.
Dolly was criticized by some religious leaders for her style of dress, her support for the LGBTQ community and Gay marriage. She was criticized by some faith groups for supporting COVID vaccines.
People have asked where Dolly stood politically. She is well known to be non-partisan. She claimed to love America but resisted any political party affiliation.
During my past two blogs, I have spoken about Saint Clare and Saint Francis who glorified God by living in poverty. Dolly Parton served God and humanity by earning money and giving it away. Both lifestyles can be Godly. Each of these three people worked to serve God using the gifts that we were given. Are we as good at doing good or do we succumb to the easy way of living for ourselves?
Jesus included those who were marginalized and treated them as equals. Jesus commanded us to proclaim our faith in God publicly. Jesus told us to clothe the naked, give drinks to the thirsty and feed the hungry. Dolly did this. Do we do it as well? Maybe it is time we began.
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