Leanne Morgan “never got to meet Dolly Parton.” But the late singer-songwriter still “means the world” to her.

Parton “died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 80 years old,” an official announcement confirmed on Tuesday (August 25). Her representatives confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE on Tuesday evening that Parton died “after bravely facing a brief battle with cancer.” Parton’s death prompted an outpouring of emotional tributes from fellow artists and others in the country music community. Grammy-winning artist Jelly Roll honored the “I Will Always Love You” star when he served as guest host on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday night.

Jelly Roll, born and raised in Nashville, caught up with fellow Tennessean Morgan during the show. He asked the actress and comedian about Parton.

“I never got to meet Dolly Parton,” Morgan said.” I met her whole team. But my middle child, my oldest daughter, Maggie, worked for Make-A-Wish and did a Make-A-Wish with a little child with cancer with Dolly. And then Dolly just gave so much money, generational money, and changed our East Tennessee Children’s Hospital to Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital. And my grandbaby was there in the NICU, and Chuck Morgan [Morgan’s husband] — who is your biggest fan — is a baby cuddler at that hospital. So, she means the world to us. You know. Tennessee, we hate to give her up.”

Jelly Roll agreed, “we hate to lose her.” The duo went on to bond over visits to Dollywood, Parton’s amusement park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Morgan said she’s brought her children and grandchildren to Dollywood for years, and even has “a Dollywood season pass in my wallet right now.”

Morgan, who appeared on an episode of The BobbyCast earlier this week (an episode that was recorded prior to Parton’s passing), is one of many Tennesseans mourning Parton’s loss. Others who have shared tributes and stories about Parton include Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson, Bobby Bones, Bill Anderson, Carly Pearce and many, many more. See the growing list of tributes here.

The official announcement issued Tuesday states that “Dolly is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years Carl Thomas Dean (1942 – 2025), her mother Avie Lee Caroline Owens (1923 – 2003), and father, Robert Lee Parton, Sr. (1921 – 2000). …At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family. Dolly’s fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging @DollyParton or by leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.”

Sitemap