Written by Gillian Fraser
Article originally published in the June 2023 issue of JOY! Magazine
We were so sad to hear of Dolly Parton’s passing on 25 August 2026, at the age of 80. We first published this article in JOY! Magazine in June 2023, taking a closer look beyond the glitz and glamour at the faith that shaped so much of her life. As millions around the world remember her remarkable music, warmth, humour, and generosity, we wanted to share it again in honour of her life and legacy. Our prayers are with her family, friends, and all who loved her.
As the morning sun rises over the rolling hills of Tennessee, a voice rings out, carrying with it the soulful melodies of faith and inspiration. That voice belongs to none other than Dolly Parton, a living legend whose faith has been the guiding light in her extraordinary life and career. While she may look like a star-studded Barbie doll, Dolly’s heart is sincere and her faith is authentic. And while we do acknowledge that some of her outfits and Hollywood acquaintances have not always been Christ-honouring, we take this opportunity to highlight her faith, and to encourage our readers to cover this influential icon in prayer.
A humble upbringing
Growing up, Dolly was raised in a devout Christian family that instilled in her the values of love, compassion, and service to others. She grew up in a Pentecostal household where her grandfather, Reverend Jake Owens, ensured that the family grew up in a religious environment. Hymns and gospel music helped shape Parton’s understanding of music. “I believe that through God, I can do everything … and that’s why so many of my songs have an inspirational feeling,” Parton said. She has never been shy about discussing her faith and relationship with God. “People say, ‘Well, I am surprised that you talk about your faith,’ and I say, ‘Why not? That’s who I am. That’s what keeps me going,’” she explains.
Encountering the Lord
When Dolly was 12, she began to regularly visit an old, abandoned chapel in the mountain community not far from her home. There she discovered a kind of sacred space to think about herself, her life, her dreams, and her faith. She describes the way she would sing songs to God, talk with Him, and share her heart: “One day as I prayed in earnest, I broke through some sort of spirit wall and found God. Away from the stares of boys and the preachers, I had met Him not as a chastising, bombastic bully but as a friend I could talk to on a one-to-one basis. He is our Father, after all, and that’s the kind of heavenly Father that made sense to me.” During this encounter with God, Dolly also had another epiphany. She realised that her dreams of making music and becoming a star were not silly and childish but “grand real schemes ordained and co-created by my newfound heavenly Father. The joy of the truth I found there is with me to this day. I had found God. I had found Dolly Parton. And I loved them both.”
Jumping to conclusions
It’s safe to say that people often jump to conclusions about Dolly Parton. She is fully aware that people have misconceptions about her. Her faith has been the cornerstone of her life, shaping her music, her philanthropic endeavours, and her unwavering commitment to spreading the message of God’s love. She revealed that she even feels connected to God through nature. “A lot of people think that because I look so artificial, I never spend time outside … I love to be out in nature … I sit under trees to write songs. I listen to God’s voice through the wind.”
Shining God’s light
“I depend on a source that’s bigger than me … I energise my batteries by praying to God every day. I feel like Jesus is right here close to me,” Parton told the Knoxville News Sentinel. “My faith impacts everything that I do.” While Parton isn’t shy about sharing her faith, she doesn’t plan to be overly preachy about religion either. “I’m not trying to tell anybody how to be,” Parton said. “I just say who I am and how I am. If there’s something you see in me that’s got a light, then I like to think that’s God’s light – not my light.”
Touching the hearts of millions
Throughout her illustrious career, Parton has used her God-given talents to touch the hearts and souls of millions of people around the world. Her music, often infused with Christian themes and messages, has been a source of comfort, inspiration, and hope for many. While she is typically associated with the country music genre, she has recently been placing a greater focus on Christian music. Collaborations with artists such as for KING & COUNTRY and Zach Williams have resulted in some of her most outward musical confessions of faith. Parton opened up about why she felt such a strong desire to make Christian music. “I’ve just felt like God was calling me into that,” the country icon told People magazine. “I’ve always felt like my music was more my ministry than a job. I just feel that this day and time, we need more people that are in a position to help to try to do something, if they can, to brighten the world a little bit. That’s what I’m hoping to do now.”
An impactful philanthropist
But Dolly’s faith goes beyond her music. She has been a tireless advocate for those in need, embodying the teachings of Jesus Christ to love and care for one another. Her philanthropic efforts are nothing short of remarkable – she has donated millions of dollars to various charitable causes, including education, disaster relief, and children’s hospitals. She has always been vocal about the importance of personal prayer and daily devotion. In an interview with Marie Claire she said: “Every single day, before I do anything, I wake up and I thank God … I ask Him to guide me, lead me. And I always pray that He’ll let me uplift mankind and glorify Him.”
‘I don’t want to be worshipped’
Despite her extraordinary success and fame, Dolly remains humble and grounded. “I don’t want to be worshipped – there’s a scripture in the Bible that talks about idol worship. And I see that happening all the time with movie stars and these celebrities. People literally worship them more than they worship God. And I just – I cringe at it … But if I can set an example, then that’s great,” Parton told People magazine.
Judging by our fruit
According to Matthew 7:16, “You will know them by their fruit.” and the fruit that Dolly Parton is producing as a result of her faith has helped change the lives of millions, for the better. All while giving God the glory.
“In a world filled with so much turmoil, division, strife, and conflict, Dolly models a kind of Christian faith that manages to be authentic, positive, hopeful, and contagious. In a world where public figures fall from pedestals daily, if not hourly, Dolly Parton is the exception. She keeps the faith, holds her ground, and keeps on being who she has always been ever since rising into stardom over 50 years ago. Dolly has never been shy about crediting God and her relationship with Him as the source of her success. Even when others prefer to focus on her iconic curves, the mysteries of her love life, or her latest groundbreaking endeavour, Dolly still manages to give God credit for it all.” Dudley Delffs shares in his book about Dolly Parton’s journey of faith.
Amy Grant – Singer, songwriter, Grammy award winner
“I have admired Dolly Parton for a long time … as an entertainer, a songwriter, a brilliant businesswoman, a philanthropist, and as a friend. No matter what her trials and triumphs, her faith in God has remained an unchanging constant in her life.”
Craig Groeschel – Pastor, Life.Church; New York Times bestselling author
“You may know Dolly Parton as a legendary singer, songwriter, music producer, actor, author, philanthropist, or entrepreneur. But those external successes are born out of a deep personal faith in Jesus Christ.”
Quick facts:
Full name:
Dolly Rebecca Parton
Birthday:
January 19, 1946
Lived in:
Nashville, Tennessee
Husband:
Carl Dean (m. 1966)
Instruments:
Vocals, guitar, banjo, piano, autoharp, violin, Appalachian dulcimer, harmonica, saxophone.
Fun fact:
In 2012, Dolly entered a Dolly Parton lookalike contest and lost.
This article was published in the June 2023 issue of JOY! Magazine.
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Date published: 26/08/2026
Feature image and content imagery: Sourced from original article from JOY! Magazine June 2023
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