Well, folks, Dolly Parton went home just the other day, on Tuesday, the 25th of August 2026. She was eighty years old. A lot of us grew up with her songs in the house; some were just country songs, you know. But some were hymns and gospel songs that pointed people to Jesus. And the Lord used even that.

Her family said something very precious:

“Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents, and countless others.”

That’s their testimony, and we honour it. We want to pray for that family in their sorrow. The God of all comfort knows how to draw near.

A mountain girl and a preaching grandfather

Dolly was one of twelve children, raised poor in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Her grandfather was a Pentecostal preacher. As a little girl she heard the old songs about Jesus.

Later she told how she went into an old church building and prayed the kind of prayer many of us have prayed: “Just show me, help me, save me.” She said a peace came over her, and she found God there as a friend. I have felt that same peace a few times in my own life, in times of distress. The Lord still meets people that way.

Through the years she kept praying. She recorded gospel albums. She sang the hymns. Not long ago she sang “There Was Jesus” with Zach Williams, and that song has blessed a lot of hearts.

I came to know the Lord through my own grandad’s witness. So I understand what it means when a grandfather simply points a child to Jesus. The Lord often starts there.

What we can say with a Bible in our hand

Now, we are not the Judge. Only the Lord knows the heart. But the Bible is very clear about the way of salvation, and we can rest in what He has said.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (NKJV)

“For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” Romans 10:13 (NKJV)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8–9 (NKJV)

And Jesus said, “the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). I love that. Whoever will come, He will receive. That’s the gospel, beloved.

A word to Dolly’s family

To Dolly’s family: we are so sorry for your loss. Thank you for the joy her music brought into ordinary homes, even here in Scotland. Thank you for speaking of Jesus at a time like this. May the Lord wrap His arms around you (2 Corinthians 1:3–4).

And to those of us who loved her songs: remember the hymns. Remember that Jesus is still the Saviour of all who believe.

If her homegoing has made you think about eternity, that’s the Lord knocking. Call upon Him. He is so ready to save.

We can be kind. Let's show Love. We can pray. We can point people to Jesus.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” (Psalm 116:15, NKJV)

Lord, comfort the Parton family. And if there are hearts You want to draw to Yourself through all of this, do that work, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.