Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies Celebrates Dolly Parton’s Life, Faith and Legacy
Bishop Professor Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, a former Nigerian female presidential candidate, has paid tribute to late American country music icon and philanthropist, Dolly Parton, describing her as an artist whose life was shaped by faith, humility, service and generosity.
Parton died on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer. Her representatives confirmed that she died at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tennessee, surrounded by loved ones.
In a statement issued on Friday, Adesanya-Davies celebrated Parton’s nearly six-decade career and her contributions to music, philanthropy and community development.
She particularly recalled her admiration for Parton’s songs, including Coat of Many Colors, while drawing parallels between the late American singer’s early musical journey and her own experience as a young singer in Nigeria.
“Dolly Parton has spent her life turning mountain faith into music the whole world can sing,” Adesanya-Davies said.
“From the church pew to the global stage, she has shown us that humility, hard work, and belief can lift people. Her songs of hope have comforted millions, and her generosity has built communities. We celebrate her life and the light she continues to share.”
Adesanya-Davies said she also began singing at the age of six at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Ilorin, in 1967, adding that music remained a major part of her life during her formative years.
According to her, by the age of 12, she was already singing with the St Clare’s Grammar School Choir in Offa, Kwara State, while later participating in television programmes and Christian music groups.
She recalled that she joined the “Latter Day Mover” to perform on NTA television programmes and other shows in Ilorin during her teenage years, and later sang with “The Ambassadors for Christ” under NIFES at the University of Ife.
“Music ended for me after I got married in 1988, and I became a pastor, occasionally leading worship at Agape Bible Church, Port Harcourt, Rivers State,” she said.
“While Dolly became a professional songwriter at sixteen, it was my hobby that never happened professionally. My salute to Dolly Parton!”
Legacy rooted in faith
Adesanya-Davies also highlighted the strong Christian foundation of Parton’s music, noting that the late singer’s musical journey began in a Pentecostal church in the Great Smoky Mountains, where her grandfather was a preacher.
She cited Parton’s gospel works, including The Golden Streets of Glory and Precious Memories, as examples of how her Christian faith remained connected to her artistic expression.
“She never separated her faith from her art,” Adesanya-Davies said. “Whether singing a hymn a cappella or writing about seeing God in creation, Dolly reminds us that spirituality and storytelling belong together.”
Parton’s career included internationally recognised songs such as Jolene, 9 to 5, Coat of Many Colors and I Will Always Love You. She also built a significant legacy outside music through Dollywood and the Dollywood Foundation, particularly its Imagination Library literacy initiative. Reuters reported that Parton sold more than 100 million records and earned 11 Grammy Awards during her career.
Adesanya-Davies said Parton’s philanthropic activities demonstrated that influence could be used to transform lives and strengthen communities.
She described Parton’s commitment to literacy, disaster relief and support for children and families as an example of leadership that transcended entertainment.
“Dolly Parton’s life teaches resilience, generosity, and the power of staying true to where you come from,” the statement said.
Adesanya-Davies is a Professor of Applied Linguistics, Bishop, scholar, author and cultural advocate whose interests include leadership, the arts, gender and nation-building.
The tribute was signed by Ms Joy Klinton Wellington, Personal Assistant at the Prof. Ade-Davies International Foundation (PMADIF), Nigeria.
