Dolly Parton's father, Robert Lee Parton, played a significant role in her life and career. He worked as a sharecropper and later started his own small tobacco farm in East Tennessee to support his wife and twelve children. However, the family faced financial struggles, and Robert took on construction jobs to make ends meet. Despite their poverty, Robert always supported Dolly's musical aspirations.
Dolly fondly remembered how her family would take turns massaging her father's worn-out hands with corn silk lotion, a testament to his hard work and dedication. Money was a constant issue, and when Dolly was born, Robert couldn't afford to pay the doctor, so he gave him a sack of cornmeal instead.
Despite their financial hardships, Robert wholeheartedly supported Dolly's music career. He would clean the statue erected in her honor in their hometown by taking a bucket of soapy water in the back of his pick-up truck at night. Robert proudly displayed a "Dolly Parton for President" sticker on his truck's bumper.
Robert's inspiration can be heard in Dolly's songs such as "Daddy's Working Boots" and "The Dinner Bucket." Moreover, he motivated Dolly to establish the Imagination Library, a nonprofit organization that provides free books to children. Robert, who never had the opportunity to attend school or learn to read and write due to financial constraints, felt humiliated and frustrated by this limitation.
To address this issue, Dolly engaged her father in the Imagination Library initiative, hoping to empower others who felt embarrassed about their circumstances. Robert cherished his involvement in the organization, and he delighted in being referred to as "The Book Lady's" father by children benefiting from the program.
Thanks to Robert's inspiration, thousands of children now have access to literature regardless of their financial background. Dolly's siblings undoubtedly take pride in their father's legacy. Robert Lee Parton passed away in 2000 at the age of 79 due to complications from multiple strokes.
His passing marked the end of a life filled with hard work, love for his family, and unwavering support for Dolly's endeavors. Through her music and philanthropic efforts, Dolly continues to honor her father's memory and impact on her life.
