Fans gathered at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge and around Dolly Parton’s statue in her hometown of Sevierville, Tennessee, following news of her death. The memorials reflected the unusually close bond between Parton and the local community, with mourners treating her less as a distant celebrity than as family.

Parton died on Tuesday aged 80, according to the article. Visitors of all ages brought flowers, balloons, cards and letters, many echoing her song title “I Will Always Love You”; some had travelled from outside the area, while local residents described deep family connections to the Partons.