Mourners gather in Tennessee to honor Dolly Parton: Live updates

Key Points:

• Dolly Parton, the beloved "Queen of Country Music" and humanitarian, died peacefully at age 80 on August 25 after a brief battle with cancer, with tributes pouring in from Tennessee and worldwide.
• Sevier County declared a "Day of Mourning" with a five-minute tolling of the courthouse bell and a moment of silence in schools, while fans gathered at her statue in Sevierville to leave flowers, butterflies, and mementos.
• Dollywood, Parton's theme park, remained open following her death in line with her wishes, welcoming fans to pay tribute, and special programming honoring her aired on CBS and CMT networks.
• Public figures including Taylor Swift and Adeem the Artist praised Parton's legacy of generosity, inclusion, and support for the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting her role as a cultural icon beyond music.
• Plans for a private funeral were announced with no public memorial yet, and calls surged to rename Nashville International Airport in her honor, while President Donald Trump ordered flags lowered nationwide to mark the loss.