Gov. Mike DeWine, Tuesday, ordered the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio to be lowered to half staff in honor of the passing of entertainer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday (8/25/2026). The flags will remain lowered through Sept. 1.
First Lady Fran DeWine worked closely with Parton to bring the Dolly Parton’s Imaginaion Library to Ohio. The program, which is available in Wood County, provides free books to pre-schoolers.
Mrs. DeWine issued a statement on behalf of herself and the governor: “Mike and I are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dolly Parton. She touched countless lives in profound and meaningful ways.
“Her devotion to children and literacy is unparalleled. Because of Dolly, millions of children around the country and the world are getting free books and learning how to read, which will, in many cases, change the trajectory of their lives. Because of Dolly’s vision and generosity, over one million Ohio children have received free books in the mail, totaling nearly 28 million books.
“Her generosity and selfless spirit leave a legacy that will live on for generations to come. We remain incredibly grateful for her compassion and commitment to others.”
