If Dolly Parton was known for anything, it was being larger than life.
Despite her death on Aug. 25, fans say her memory will linger for years. To prove that point, many agreed with the choice of Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day. It was a nod to one of her most popular movies – the date is short-handed as 9-2-5.
Numerous Lawton schools, including Edison and Almor West elementaries, were part of that day of memory, to include celebration of her Imagination Library (which now provides millions of free books to preschool children), as well as the kindness and respect she came to represent.
While many adults used blonde wigs to transform themselves into the music icon, many children wore variations of pink, the color long associated with Parton.
Ironically, Parton’s favorite color was yellow, said Terri Mitchell, the Edison Elementary counselor who spent the better part of a month planning activities for Dolly Parton Day. Mitchell has done extensive research on Dolly, and she knows a lot about the musician.
Edison Principal Jenny Langston and Almor West Principal Ellen Driskill said it was a matter of honoring someone with characteristics worth imitating.
While Parton is widely lauded for her Imagination Library, she also was someone to whom kindness was a basic characteristic. And that fits into Edison’s theme for this school year, Langston and Mitchell said.
In fact, “kindness” was offered just as often as books when Edison fourth-graders, all wearing variations of Parton’s color pink, were asked what they knew about the singer.
“She supported kindness,” said Amauri Stewart.
“She helped lots of kids,” Haidynn Jackson. “She gave library books for free. She loved kids.”
“She was a really great singer,” said Jackson Rogers, adding she also represented kindness. “I respect her.”
Kebia Sutton noted the impact Parton had on children and adults across the country.
“I’ll remember her,” Sutton said.
The four were among the students who tried their best to imitate Parton’s unique style.
Aria Lawson said she was all about sparkles, as well as pink. Lawson was wearing a pink dress, but noted her cowboy hat was covered with sparkling silver sequins.
“I have boots,” she said, proudly displaying a foot whose boot was covered in silver sequins.
Jackson noted that she, too, had sparkles: her pink boots were inlaid with glitter, which she also had on her face.
Zaydrion Haliburton said he was limited to what he could pick out of his closet: a Hawaiian-style print shirt with a pink underlay.
The students were ready to take the pink theme further. As they got ready to pose for a picture, some insisted they had to find books with pink covers as props. All nine were successful.
Edison adults were equally adamant that Parton would be remembered.
Second grade teacher Shelly Herrera, proudly decked out as Parton, said Parton’s contributions to literacy are part of her own family. Herrera has five granddaughters, ranging in age from 1 to 5, and each one has received books from Imagination Library. It’s something their grandmother insisted upon.
“She gave so much back to the community, to children,” Herrera said, of why it was important to remember Dolly Parton. “She had a heart for children.”
And, she loves that her grandchildren continue to benefit from Parton’s Imagination Library.
“They look forward to it (receiving books) each month,” she said, of the program’s goal of sending children a free book every month, suitable to their age. “It gives them a leg up on reading.”
While Mitchell knows Parton’s real favorite color, she said it was important to continue the pink theme that was Parton’s trademark. To that end, when Mitchell was organizing the school’s snack cart for this particular Friday, she found as many items packaged in pink as she could, from strawberry soda in pink cans, to bright pink cups and straws.
Mitchell said she loves the way Parton continues to be relevant, even after her death.
“I think this will grow,” she said, of the celebration of a woman known for her kindness. “What better example to carry on her memory?”