08/29/2026
If we could all be more like Dolly, what a wonderful world this would be.
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Dolly Parton did not have her own children, but she grew up in a large family, and has many relatives. Her niece, Danielle, who is the daughter of Bobby Parton, the fifth of the 11 of Dolly's siblings is a combat veteran, a businesswoman, and a proud member of the Parton family.
Danielle was the first female in the Parton family to graduate from college, having studied at Belmont University in Nashville. She then enlisted in the Air National Guard, serving as a pilot in the 118th Wing, Nashville; 123rd Airlift Wing, Louisville, Kentucky; and 164th Airlift Wing, Memphis, Tennessee.
She became an Aircraft Commander in 2012, deploying to locations like Kuwait and earning the Combat Action Medal, and the Air Medal.
Danielle shared a video on Aug. 26 on her page for the distillery she founded, Shine Girl. âIâm with you. The world will never be the same without Dolly Parton in it.â
She went on to add, âIâm so fortunate that I got to share in her life for 50 years of her 80, weâre 30 years apart.â
Describing Dolly as her âfriend, my aunt, my confidant, my mentor,â adding that she will miss her many morning conversations. She recalled that her Aunt Dolly used to tell her, ââDanielle, if you have the chance to grab one minute of happiness in this world,â she said, âyou take it. This worldâs hard enough. This lifeâs hard enough. You be happy when you can be happy.'â
She also added that her aunt would not want people to be in despair, âShe would not want us wallowing around in grief on it. She would tell me to get my ârear in gear, and get on with it.'â