Dolly Parton’s journey from a humble mountain cabin in East Tennessee to international superstardom is a story deeply rooted in love, faith, and family — especially the unwavering influence of her parents, Robert Lee “Lee” Parton and Avie Lee Parton.
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Robert Lee Parton, born on March 22, 1921, in Sevierville, Tennessee, and Avie Lee Owens, born on October 5, 1923, in Lockhart, South Carolina, married in 1939 when he was 17 and she was only 15. Together, they would go on to raise 12 children in the Great Smoky Mountains, including their fourth-born, Dolly Rebecca Parton, who arrived in 1946.
Lee worked as a sharecropper and took on construction jobs to make ends meet, while Avie Lee devoted herself to the household, often creating a warm and imaginative home out of very little. Though the Parton family was poor in material wealth, they were rich in music, storytelling, and faith—elements that would go on to define Dolly’s voice and legacy.
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In a 1990 appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Dolly recalled a cherished Christmas memory when all the children agreed to go without presents so their father could buy Avie Lee a wedding ring—her first. That simple but powerful act of love encapsulates the spirit of the Parton household. “That was one of the best Christmases we ever had,” Dolly reflected, “because we got to see Mama happy.”
Despite growing up in what she describes as “dirt poor” conditions, Dolly has often said they never felt impoverished:
“We were rich in things money can’t buy — love, kindness, understanding.”
Both Lee and Avie Lee were instrumental in shaping Dolly’s identity and success. Her mother’s musical talents and storytelling gift were foundational; Avie Lee sang and played guitar and often told folktales that sparked Dolly’s imagination. Meanwhile, Lee’s pragmatism and work ethic made a lasting impression on his daughter. Dolly once shared that her father couldn’t read or write, yet he was the smartest man she ever knew.
Her father also inspired one of her greatest charitable endeavors: The Imagination Library, which to date has donated over 200 million books to children globally. Dolly says Lee was most proud of that initiative, even helping her mail out the early books in the program.
Both of Dolly’s parents passed in the early 2000s — Lee in 2000, Avie Lee in 2003 — but their presence is still deeply felt. They are honored through countless songs, stories, and especially at Dollywood, where tributes to her family’s Appalachian roots are found throughout the park. From the recreated log cabin home to exhibits about her upbringing, visitors are given a heartfelt glimpse into the people and values that shaped Dolly.
As she once said:
“Everything I am, I owe to my parents. They taught me that faith, family, and music are the most important things in life.”
Dolly Parton’s love for her parents is more than nostalgia — it is a living tribute. Through her music, philanthropy, and legacy, Robert Lee and Avie Lee Parton live on, not only as the parents of a country icon, but as the quiet architects of a life that has touched millions.