By Marley Anthony, Assistant Editor

On Aug. 25, country music legend Dolly Parton peacefully passed away at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer. To honor Parton, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor lowered the U.S., Texas and UMHB flags at Crusader Stadium to half-staff. 

Beyond writing iconic songs like ‘Jolene’ and ‘9 to 5’, Parton also made contributions to society and local communities with the Dollywood Foundation, founded in 1988, which donated millions of dollars to fund educational programs and disaster and community relief programs.