Nashville International Airport is one step closer to carrying the name of Tennessee’s most beloved star. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority board voted 6-0 on Friday to begin the renaming process in honor of Dolly Parton, who died Aug. 25 at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer. The final name hasn’t been settled and will be decided with input from the Dollywood Foundation, with more details expected in the coming months.
The push to honor Parton at the airport actually started before her passing. A petition launched in early 2025 gathered more than 175,000 signatures, and support only grew after her death. Gov. Bill Lee and Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell both back the change, and Metro Council passed a supporting resolution on Sept. 1. The board even modified its naming policy, which normally requires honorees to be deceased at least two years, to move the process forward.
Parton’s legacy stretches far beyond the airport question. Her Imagination Library has mailed millions of free books to children, and her songwriting and chart records made her a global ambassador for country music. Putting her name on the front door of Music City would be a fitting tribute to a woman who spent her life lifting up the state she loved.
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Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
