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\n Related: <\/span>Dolly Parton Made Surprise Appearance at Ribbon-Cutting 2 Months Before Death<\/span><\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\tDolly Parton made a surprise appearance at a ribbon-cutting ceremony two months before her death at age 80. The \u201cJolene\u201d singer made the rare public outing at the opening of Dolly\u2019s Tennessean Travel Stop, a travel center inspired by her decades as a touring musician, in Cornersville, Tennessee, in June. \u201cI wanted to welcome all [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
As mentioned, Tennessee state Rep. Warner promised in the comments section of the petition that he would \u201cdefinitely introduce legislation to rename the BNA airport Dolly Parton International Airport.\u201d<\/p>\n
The renaming of Nashville International Airport also has the backing<\/a> of City Councillor Russ Bradford<\/strong>, who acknowledged that \u201cfew have done more to define what this city means to the rest of the world\u201d than Parton.<\/p>\n\u201cI want to be clear about what this resolution does and doesn\u2019t do: it\u2019s a statement of support from Metro Council, urging MNAA [Metro Nashville Airport Authority] to take up the idea,\u201d Bradford clarified. \u201cThe final decision on any name change rests with the Airport Authority, not with Council. I hope that this resolution sends a strong signal of how much our community would welcome this change, and that MNAA will give it serious consideration.\u201d<\/p>\n
As of publication, the petition has gained more than 117,000 supporters \u2014 many of whom penned impassioned pleas backing the concept of Dolly Parton International Airport.<\/p>\n
\u201cTennessee should definitely change the airport name to memorialize Dolly Parton for everything that she has done,\u201d one commenter wrote.<\/p>\n
Another added, \u201cDolly Parton has paved a way for so many artists and especially women! She made a lot of contributions to the music industry and gave back with the blessings she had. The airport should be renamed in her honor without a doubt!\u201d<\/p>\n\n![\"GettyImages-1254161695](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-1254161695-Dolly-Parton-Fans-Want-Nashville-Airport-Renamed-in-Her-Honor-e1787801630834.jpg?w=1000&quality=40&strip=all\")
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\n Dolly Parton<\/span> SUZANNE CORDEIRO\/AFP via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nTennessee House Deputy Speaker Jason Zachary<\/strong> confirmed to local Nashville station WKRN<\/a> on Wednesday, August 26, that lawmakers are working on a way to honor Parton once their legislative session begins in January 2027. (Zachary did not directly comment on the petition to rename Nashville International Airport.)<\/p>\n\u201cLast night we already began to have those discussions again. How do you honor someone that is so worthy and beyond anything of a statue, a bust? Anything that we could do, she\u2019s so beyond that,\u201d he said. \u201cSomebody like Dolly, I don\u2019t know how you honor her well enough to really meet what she actually did during her life, but we\u2019re going to do our best to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Republicans and Democrats in the Tennessee House of Representatives plan to work together on a plan to celebrate Parton\u2019s life since she \u201cwas not a divisive figure,\u201d per Rep. John Ray Clemmons<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\u201cI think we\u2019ll all get together, work with my colleagues across the aisle, and figure out what\u2019s best,\u201d Clemmons vowed. \u201cOf course, we\u2019ll consult with her family and friends and decide what\u2019s the most appropriate way, or what they feel is the most appropriate way to honor her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tennessee currently has a lasting monument to Parton\u2019s life and legacy with the Dollywood theme park, which she opened in 1983 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Parton created the park as a way to attract tourism to the Smoky Mountains, where she grew up.<\/p>\n
In the wake of her death on Tuesday, Dollywood executives confirmed that they would keep the park open<\/a> as a testament to Parton\u2019s legacy.<\/p>\n\u201cIn her spirit, Dollywood will be open Wednesday as Dolly wanted, always reminding everyone with her signature sparkle \u2014 \u2018the show must go on,\u2019\u201d a statement from Dollywood read. \u201cTogether, we honor her by carrying forward her message of love, perseverance, and hope. Those wishing to give in honor of Dolly may consider making a gift to the organization she was so deeply passionate about, Dolly Parton\u2019s @imaginationlibrary.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cI want to be clear about what this resolution does and doesn\u2019t do: it\u2019s a statement of support from Metro Council, urging MNAA [Metro Nashville Airport Authority] to take up the idea,\u201d Bradford clarified. \u201cThe final decision on any name change rests with the Airport Authority, not with Council. I hope that this resolution sends a strong signal of how much our community would welcome this change, and that MNAA will give it serious consideration.\u201d<\/p>\n
As of publication, the petition has gained more than 117,000 supporters \u2014 many of whom penned impassioned pleas backing the concept of Dolly Parton International Airport.<\/p>\n
\u201cTennessee should definitely change the airport name to memorialize Dolly Parton for everything that she has done,\u201d one commenter wrote.<\/p>\n
Another added, \u201cDolly Parton has paved a way for so many artists and especially women! She made a lot of contributions to the music industry and gave back with the blessings she had. The airport should be renamed in her honor without a doubt!\u201d<\/p>\n Tennessee House Deputy Speaker Jason Zachary<\/strong> confirmed to local Nashville station WKRN<\/a> on Wednesday, August 26, that lawmakers are working on a way to honor Parton once their legislative session begins in January 2027. (Zachary did not directly comment on the petition to rename Nashville International Airport.)<\/p>\n \u201cLast night we already began to have those discussions again. How do you honor someone that is so worthy and beyond anything of a statue, a bust? Anything that we could do, she\u2019s so beyond that,\u201d he said. \u201cSomebody like Dolly, I don\u2019t know how you honor her well enough to really meet what she actually did during her life, but we\u2019re going to do our best to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n Republicans and Democrats in the Tennessee House of Representatives plan to work together on a plan to celebrate Parton\u2019s life since she \u201cwas not a divisive figure,\u201d per Rep. John Ray Clemmons<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019ll all get together, work with my colleagues across the aisle, and figure out what\u2019s best,\u201d Clemmons vowed. \u201cOf course, we\u2019ll consult with her family and friends and decide what\u2019s the most appropriate way, or what they feel is the most appropriate way to honor her.\u201d<\/p>\n Tennessee currently has a lasting monument to Parton\u2019s life and legacy with the Dollywood theme park, which she opened in 1983 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Parton created the park as a way to attract tourism to the Smoky Mountains, where she grew up.<\/p>\n In the wake of her death on Tuesday, Dollywood executives confirmed that they would keep the park open<\/a> as a testament to Parton\u2019s legacy.<\/p>\n \u201cIn her spirit, Dollywood will be open Wednesday as Dolly wanted, always reminding everyone with her signature sparkle \u2014 \u2018the show must go on,\u2019\u201d a statement from Dollywood read. \u201cTogether, we honor her by carrying forward her message of love, perseverance, and hope. Those wishing to give in honor of Dolly may consider making a gift to the organization she was so deeply passionate about, Dolly Parton\u2019s @imaginationlibrary.\u201d<\/p>\n You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>
\n Dolly Parton<\/span> SUZANNE CORDEIRO\/AFP via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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