Katie Murray said she accidentally drove past her mural of Dolly Parton at The Market at Ridglea the day after the country singer passed.
Murray reminisced on her original assumptions about Parton, and how those completely shattered after listening to Parton’s podcast, “Dolly Parton’s America.” Every brush stroke was filled with the feelings of respect, kindness and charisma for which Parton was known.
“Her story is so dynamic,” Murray said. “We’ve never lived without her. … She was so universal, and that is so rare to have somebody like that. I’m gonna miss that.”
Murray joined many Fort Worth residents mourning the loss of the iconic country star after her death Aug. 25.
Murray felt compelled to pull over. She stood in front of her work and admired the image of the singer. Scattered around the mural were flowers and books left behind to honor Parton. She was grateful to see it, Murray said.
Flowers sit next to a mural of Dolly Parton on Aug. 27, 2026, at The Market at Ridglea in Fort Worth. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Fort Worth resident Ray Haney, left, and his daughter visit the mural of Dolly Parton on Aug. 27, 2026, outside The Market at Ridglea in Fort Worth. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
“We have to keep her spirit alive,” Murray said. “Her memory will live on through people looking at her.”
About 100 people gathered Thursday evening at Second Rodeo Brewing for a candlelight vigil in honor of Parton.
Staff handed out candles while country singer Jade Edwards did a sound check before the vigil began.
Edwards grew up singing some of Parton’s songs, her favorite being “9 to 5.” During the performance, the Fort Worth singer spoke about the impact Parton had on herself and others.
Country artist Jade Edwards sings “9 to 5” during a Dolly Parton tribute event Aug. 27, 2026, at Second Rodeo Brewing in Fort Worth. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
“I am extremely honored to be able to speak about a woman who has had a legacy that’s just untouchable,” Edwards said. “Her music, her light, her shine. … Dolly was the one thing we can all agree on.”
Edwards and other fans shared admiration for Parton’s philanthropic endeavors, particularly the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The nonprofit gifts books to children across the country, as well as in Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada.
Attendees could purchase a special edition Dolly Parton cup at the event, with the proceeds donated to the nonprofit.
Second Rodeo Brewing sold specialty Dolly Parton cups during a tribute event Aug. 27, 2026, in Fort Worth. A portion of the proceeds went to Parton’s foundation. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Lifelong Dolly Parton fan Soren Freund sipped from his bright red swirly cup, with a small Dolly Parton figure popping out of the top, as he waited patiently for the vigil to begin. He found out the singer died on his first day at his new job, and said he ran to his boss to tell him the news.
“(My boss) was like, ‘Oh, that’s so sad.’ And I was like, ‘I don’t think you understand. This is a really big moment for me,’” Freund said. “She did so much in her life, you know? Like her imagination library. That’s why I came to this event, because the proceeds are supposed to go to her charity.”
Freund recalled connecting with his father over their shared love of the country singer, with his favorite gift ever given to him by his father being the physical copy of Parton’s “Jolene.”
“To me, she’s a philanthropist,” Freund said. “She’s always been a huge pillar in the gay community, which I’m a part of, and I feel like she’s just always had my back.”
As the vigil began, Fort Worth resident Sarah Reeseman Swift sat next to her husband, lighting her candle with other attendees. She swayed and sang along as Edwards sang “I Will Always Love You” in a crowd of warm orange light.
Fort Worth resident Sarah Reeseman Swift sings along to covers during a Dolly Parton tribute event Aug. 27, 2026, at Second Rodeo Brewing in Fort Worth. Reeseman Swift said she’s been a Parton fan her whole life, calling her an inspiration. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Reeseman Swift grew up in Parton’s hometown in east Tennessee and said she simply couldn’t remember a time when Parton wasn’t with her in some way.
“She really is my idol. I just had to come out here tonight and honor and recognize her,” Reeseman Swift said, her eyes welling up as she held back tears.
The fan said Parton’s story gave her the courage to leave east Tennessee at 17 and move to New York City to pursue her career. Reeseman Swift attributes her career as a creative director to Parton.
“She showed me it doesn’t matter what you come from or where, like your circumstance, if you work hard enough and you try, you’re gonna get to where you want to go,” Reeseman Swift said.
Fort Worth resident Caroline Sickert holds a candle during a Dolly Parton tribute event Aug. 27, 2026, at Second Rodeo Brewing in Fort Worth. Sickert learned about Parton 10 years ago when she moved to America from Germany. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
As Edwards finished her song, she asked the crowd to lift their candles as she shared a few words. Edwards said Parton’s career inspires her as a musician and an everyday civilian.
“Dolly proved you can be a legend and genuinely a good person at the same time,” Edwards said. “She gave more than she ever took, and she made the world a little warmer by just being in it.”
Bianca Rodriguez-Mora is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at bianca@fortworthreport.org.
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