from Religion Media Centre
Tributes are pouring in for Dolly Parton, the country music singer, songwriter and actress, who endeared herself to millions and has died in Nashville aged 80.
Brought up in a family of 12 children in the mountains of east Tennessee, she began singing and performing at the age of six at her local church, and aged 13, she appeared on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Her grandfather was a preacher and the family’s Christian roots stayed with her throughout her life, saying of her faith: “That’s who I am. That’s what keeps me going”, and on another occasion that song-writing was her “God Time”.
In a 60 year career, she earned millions of dollars, giving away large donations to charitable causes and setting up “The Imagination Library”, giving books to children under five.
Her death was announced by her nephew, Bryan Seavar, who said she had “lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus” with her loved ones.
Religion Unplugged article here.