Country music icon Dolly Parton’s mother, Avie Lee Owens Parton, is often considered her famous daughter’s very first musical influence. The South Carolina native married Robert Lee Parton in 1939, and raised 12 children, six boys and six girls (Willadeene, David, Coy, Dolly, Bobby, Stella, Cassie, Randel, Larry, Estel, Freida, and Rachel) in Sevier County, Tennessee.
Who Was Avie Lee Parton?
Avie Lee Owens Parton was born on October 5, 1923, in South Carolina. She was of Scots-Irish descent and grew up in a modest home where family and faith were central. At a young age, she married Robert Lee Parton, and together they built a large and loving family in Sevier County, Tennessee.
Avie Lee was extremely resourceful and supported her financially struggling family in everything she did, from canning food to caring for their medical and emotional needs. Although she passed away in 2003 at the age of 80, her love of family was immortalized in Dolly’s song, “Coat of Many Colors” and her first-ever childhood song “Little Tiny Tasseltop.” Both tunes tell the story behind Avie Lee’s lovingly handmade gifts— a patchwork coat made from scraps of fabric and a corncob doll with corn silk hair.
Musical Influence on Dolly Parton
Dolly has frequently credited her mother as one of her greatest inspirations. Avie Lee’s beautiful voice and love for music helped shape Dolly’s passion and songwriting ability. She taught her children gospel songs, traditional Appalachian melodies, and lullabies, which later influenced Dolly’s musical style.
Through her humble gifts, she taught Dolly an important lesson in seeing the real value of your blessings, no matter now small. This lesson would become a major part of Dolly’s life philosophy. In her book, “Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business,” Parton recalls what happened after “Coat of Many Colors” made her a major success:
Enjoy Dolly performing “Coat of Many Colors” below!
Avie Lee passed away on December 5, 2003, at the age of 80, but her memory lives on through her children and Dolly’s music. Her legacy of love, storytelling, and resilience continues to inspire generations of country music fans.
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