Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority president and CEO Doug Kreulen said Parton’s “remarkable legacy” needs to be recognised.
“Nashville International Airport is the front door to Music City, and with that comes a responsibility to reflect the very best of who we are as a community,” he said.
“Dolly’s remarkable legacy reminds us that what makes Nashville special is our ability to welcome people from every walk of life.
Nashville International Airport is set to be renamed after the late Dolly Parton. Photo / Getty Images
“She understood that dignity, kindness and opportunity should never be defined by where you come from or your socioeconomic status. At Nashville International Airport, we share that commitment.
“Whether you are boarding a private aircraft or taking your first flight, you deserve to be welcomed, respected and served with the same level of care. That spirit is what defines Nashville International Airport and it is a fitting reflection of the values Dolly shared with Tennessee and the world.”
Parton died after a “brief battle with cancer”.
In a statement given to People, her team said: “Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact.
“After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”