“She set what it was to be sexy, smart, independent and do so many great things for women.” That’s how Emily Sanchez described country music legend Dolly Parton, who died on August 25, 2026 at age 80.
Sanchez joined New Mexicans and fans across the country in mourning Parton’s death. The “Queen of Country” touched generations of children and families through her music, philanthropy, and literacy work.
Fans gathered Tuesday at Parton’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star. They left flowers and tributes to honor the singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist. The White House also ordered flags across the country to fly at half-staff in her honor.
During her lifetime, Parton wrote and performed more than 3,000 songs, including 25 No. 1 hits. She extended her impact far beyond music through her charitable work. Her “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library” provides free books to children from birth to age 5.
Parton’s Literacy Legacy in New Mexico
For many New Mexico children, the program delivered the first book they ever read with a parent or loved one.
“Her philanthropy, her generosity, wasn’t for her profit. It was to benefit children all over the country,” Kathy Chilton of Libros for Kids, a local chapter of Parton’s charity, said via KOB 4.
The Imagination Library provides books each month to more than 10,000 New Mexico children. Since 2010, the program has distributed more than 2 million books to children under age 5 across the state.
Parton planned to visit New Mexico last year to celebrate the Imagination Library’s statewide expansion into all 33 counties. However, illness prevented her from attending, so she sent a video message instead.
“Every child in the state is eligible to enroll! Is that not wonderful?!” Parton said in the message.
The literacy program sends books to children’s homes each month, giving families opportunities to read together.
“Every beginning of the month, a child who signed up will receive a book that their parent, their grandparent, their loved one can read to that child,” Lt. Gov. Howie Morales said.
“The anticipation for that book to come in and that opportunity for that child to bond with their parent through the love of reading, what a wonderful vision that’s been shown,” he added.
A Lasting Impact on New Mexico Children
Chilton oversees the Bernalillo and Valencia County chapter of the program, known as Libros for Kids. She said access to books at home plays a critical role in childhood development.
“To have books in the home has been shown to be an extremely important aspect of children learning vocabulary, learning how to read, learning about the world beyond themselves,” Chilton said.
She also recalled a child whose experience with the program had a lasting impact.
“One day, the child went next door, and went to the volunteer and and said books as her first word, and from then she began speaking,” she said.
Although Parton could not attend last year’s expansion celebration, she sent families a heartfelt video message instead.
“Congratulations New Mexico, and remember, that I will always love you,” Parton said.
Organizers said the Imagination Library will continue distributing books to children, carrying Parton’s literacy mission forward despite her death.
Parton’s influence reached far beyond music. She touched millions through books, film, philanthropy, and storytelling. Her legacy also reached thousands of children in New Mexico.
