Tennessee Governor Proposes Renaming Nashville Airport In Honor Of Dolly Parton

As the world mourns Dolly Parton, Tennessee has plans to immortalize the late Queen of Country while welcoming visitors to Music City.

On Friday, Gov. Bill Lee‘s office announced a partnership with the Nashville International Airport (BNA) in conversations with Parton’s team to rename the airport in honor of the 11x Grammy-winning country pop/songstress, who died at age 80 on Tuesday.

The Metro Nashville Airport Authority will discuss its naming policy and Gov. Lee’s proposal to rename the airport at its Thursday, Sept. 17 meeting.

“Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” said Gov. Lee in a statement. “From her rural mountain home in East Tennessee to global stages, Dolly carried the Volunteer Spirit with her.

“At a place where Tennessee welcomes the world, it is fitting that Nashville International Airport would bear the name of our state’s favorite daughter and greet travelers with the enduring legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith and kindness,” he added.

Born Jan. 19, 1946 in Pittman Center, Tennessee, Parton lived with husband Carl Dean in his native Nashville for several years, and he died there last March at age 82.

Parton’s family announced that she died in Nashville on Tuesday following a brief sickness with cancer. Although she remained busy until her final days, the “I Will Always Love You” artist had dealt with health issues over the past year.