ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Some of the late Dolly Parton’s deepest legacies can be found here in Georgia.

Parton, who died Tuesday at age 80, had last shared an update on her health last week, acknowledging her recent decline after the March 2025 death of her husband, Carl Dean.

Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, revealed the news in a Facebook video.

An elopement in Ringgold

Perhaps Parton’s most personal connection to the Peach State is her elopement with Dean, who became her husband of almost 59 years.

Parton and Dean eloped on May 30, 1966, to Ringgold. Georgia allowed couples to get a marriage license and wed on the same day, and the couple were married at Ringgold Baptist Church in a ceremony officiated by pastor Dr. L. Don Duvall. Only Duvall, his wife, and Parton’s mother were in attendance.

Ringgold Mayor Kelly Bomar said Parton chose the city for her wedding to avoid publicity.

“Everybody knows the Dolly story. She got married in Ringgold,” Bomar said.

In an interview, Parton said, “We got married in Ringgold because we had planned a wedding and the reason that we went to Ringgold is because I didn’t want it in the Tennessee papers.”

Bomar said Ringgold used to be a destination for quick weddings.

“I actually grew up at First Baptist Church, you know that’s where she got married. In fact my parents were married by Rev. Don Duvall, that’s the person that married Dolly,” Bomar said.

Bomar said that for many years, around their anniversary, Parton and her husband would drive to Ringgold in their camper and spend the night.

“They chose our small town because it offered them a quiet and sweet place to begin their journey together. Their marriage would go on to stand as a testament to devotion for nearly six decades,” Bomar said. “Every year, visitors travel to our city to see where that love story began, or to take a selfie with our Dolly mural. Her legacy inspired our town’s annual ‘Dolly Day’ festival and Dolly Dash, a celebration in which our neighbors come together in music and community spirit to honor the indelible mark she left on our home. Her grace, humility, and faith have always mirrored the very best of Ringgold.”

Ringgold First Baptist Church Pastor Eric Kennedy said the connection to Parton has meaning for the community and the church.

“The fact that there is a piece of history here with our community and our church means a lot to everybody,” Kennedy said.

A plaque outside First Baptist Church commemorates Parton’s marriage to Dean. A mural by Kim Radford titled “Tie the Knot” was painted to celebrate their anniversary.

Reaction in Ringgold and Atlanta

Kennedy said the news of Parton’s death was difficult for his congregation to process.

“I think everybody’s kind of shocked. Even though there’s been some awareness that Dolly had had some health issues in the last year or so maybe I think all of us just know her as such a vivacious person that’s it’s just kind of hard that Dolly could be gone,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy said having a piece of history in Ringgold and at the church means more to his congregation than he is able to express.

Ringgold resident Jered Martin said Parton represented positive qualities.

“Her just being somebody that represents the good in people, the good in humanity,” Martin said.

Bomar said Ringgold will hold onto its connection to Parton.

“We’ll always have a little piece of Dolly, you know, just a teeny, tiny piece of her story,” Bomar said.

READ: Georgia remembers Dolly Parton

A career built on Georgia stages and screens

Porter Wagoner, another influential American country music singer, songwriter and television host famous for his flashy rhinestone suits and “The Porter Wagoner Show,” partnered with Parton from 1967 to 1974.

Shortly after leaving the show to launch her solo career, Parton played a 1975 concert in Bellville, Georgia, at Pinewood Christian Academy. The concert marked one of her first major shows with her “Traveling Family Band” right after she split from Wagoner.

Parton’s musical legacy is defined by her songwriting, which includes over 3,000 songs, including “I Will Always Love You,” her role as a self-made female powerhouse in country and pop music, and her genre-crossing cultural appeal. She is celebrated for her storytelling, distinct vocal style, and influence on generations of diverse artists.

In 1973, Parton had the hit that made her career: “Jolene,” a country music standard with its steady, churning rhythm and Parton’s repeated delivery of the title as she pleads for the woman not to steal her man.

Atlanta’s first women’s-sports bar is named after Parton’s song. Jolene Jolene recently opened a permanent location on Hosea Williams Drive in Atlanta’s Kirkwood community.

Bar owner Chelsea Fishman said the bar is named after her cat, which was named after Parton’s song “Jolene.”

“Simply I named the bar after my cat, whose name is Jolene but I named my cat after the hit song ‘Jolene’ by Dolly Parton,” Fishman said.

Fishman said she had hoped Parton would visit the bar one day.

“I had this dream that she would come here one day,” Fishman said.

“I’m really proud to have a space named after her that I think she would dig,” Fishman said.

Parton’s talent and ability to successfully cross over into other entertainment media led her to Georgia, where some of her films were produced.

The 2012 film “Joyful Noise” featured scenes shot at the Atlanta Civic Center and in the metro Atlanta cities of Smyrna, Fairburn, Newnan and Peachtree City.

The TV series “Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings” was shot in Doraville, Canton, Marietta, Kennesaw, Stone Mountain, Norcross and other metro locations, while “Coat of Many Colors” — whose title became one of Parton’s signature hits — was filmed in Conyers and Covington.

Parton’s musical legacy is defined by her virtuosic songwriting (over 3,000 songs, including “I Will Always Love You”), her pioneering role as a self-made female powerhouse in country and pop music, and her genre-crossing cultural appeal. She is globally celebrated for her masterful storytelling, distinct vocal style, and enduring influence on generations of diverse artists.

In 1973, Parton had the hit that made her career: “Jolene,” a country music standard with its steady, churning rhythm and Parton’s repeated delivery of the title as she pleads for the woman not to steal her man.

Parton’s talent and ability to successfully cross over into other entertainment media led her to Georgia, where some of her films were produced.

The 2012 film “Joyful Noise” featured scenes shot at the Atlanta Civic Center and in the metro Atlanta cities of Smyrna, Fairburn, Newnan and Peachtree City.

The TV series “Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings” was shot in Doraville, Canton, Marietta, Kennesaw, Stone Mountain, Norcross and other metro locations, while “Coat of Many Colors” - whose title became one of Parton’s signature hits - was filmed in Conyers and Covington.

Atlanta’s first women’s-sports bar is named after Parton’s song. Jolene Jolene recently opened a permanent location on Hosea Williams Drive in Atlanta’s Kirkwood community.

This story is developing.

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