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Flags will be flown at half-staff this week to honor country music legend and childhood literacy champion Dolly Parton.
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Parton, 80, died from cancer in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday, Aug. 25, after a lifetime of delighting audiences with her musical talents. Flags have been ordered to half-staff from sunrise Wednesday, Aug. 26 to sunset Tuesday, Sept. 1.
“Dolly Parton was so special: authentic and universally loved,” said Gov. Josh Stein in a news release. “Her music was powerful and moving, and she leaves a lasting impact — from providing kids free books to funding vaccine research and promoting tolerance. America lost one of our best today. May her memory be a blessing.”
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, which provides free books mailed monthly to children under the age of 5, has provided more than 300 million free books since the program began in 1995.
“A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth and kindness that made us all feel like family,” according to a statement from the family.
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A private service will be held for her immediate family.
Flags can be ordered lowered by the North Carolina Governor at state buildings and by a Presidential proclamation, which affects federal buildings, grounds and naval vessels.
“At no time shall an order be given that would result in the flag of the state of North Carolina being displayed in a manner inconsistent with the various policies governing the display of both the United States and North Carolina flags,” according to the flag code.
Stein previously ordered flags lowered to half-staff for a state trooper killed in a crash and after a state representative died from cancer, The N&O reported.
In addition to somber remembrances, the flags can be lowered for some holiday observances like:
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Portions of this story were previously reported by The News & Observer.