Ashley Judd reveals Dolly Parton’s special wedding gift to mom Naomi and stepdad Larry Strickland
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ashley Judd remembered fond memories of her “aunt Dolly” following the global icon’s death at 80 on Tuesday, August 25.
In her social media tribute, Ashley, the daughter of another late legend, Naomi Judd, also revealed Parton’s special gift for her late mother’s 1989 wedding to her stepfather, Larry Strickland.
Ashley Judd says Dolly Parton gifted 'a double wedding ring quilt' to Naomi Judd and Larry Strickland
The ‘9 to 5’ singer and Naomi, who died in April 2022, had been friends for decades. The ‘Heat’ actress wrote in her tribute on Wednesday, “Of the many things I could say, I’ll just share this: for Mom and Pop’s wedding, she had a double wedding ring quilt made for them. That kind of says it all, doesn’t it?”
The 58-year-old further mentioned how her late mother admired as well as was highly influenced by Parton.
“Aunt Dolly, my mother loved and revered you. She idolized you. She was smitten that you shared a birthdays were so close (11 and 19 January 1946). Thank you for being true to yourself, witty, brilliant, and, oh my God, so punctual!” she recalled.
Ashley Judd hails Dolly Parton's singing as well as business skills
Ashley’s post also detailed her first encounter with the country legend when she was only eight and went to see her concert in Oakland, California.
She penned, “It lit them my little sleeping body & I jolted upright from my mother’s lap like a saved sinner in a tent revival. That was the first thing I learned about Aunt Dolly: Her voice revived.”
The ‘Double Jeopardy’ star’s tribute also praised Parton’s talents and business acumen. She said, “Her vocal genius was matched by her extraordinary songwriting, which was the actual source of her fortune. She knew singers got cheated by record labels, but if she wrote her own music, she would keep the money from songwriting royalties.”
“Then she took that good, smart money she made and gave books away to children who grew up the way she had,” Ashley added.
Concluding her post, Ashley stated, “A professional’s professional, you made everybody around you kinder and better as we were dazzled and mesmerized. Rest in peace, sweet Smoky Mountain woman, in the bosom of your Creator.”
Dolly Parton's projects will continue to release even after her death
Parton died after a brief battle with cancer in Nashville, Tennessee, surrounded by her loved ones. As per her manager, Danny Nozell, her work will continue even after her death.
“Many projects were in various stages of development, and we want to be transparent with her fans about this fact,” he said in a statement.
