Mississippi mayor defies Trump by refusing to lower flag for Dolly Parton after her burial in Nashville
Bryan Seaver, Dolly Parton's nephew and head of security who announced her death on Tuesday, was seen overseeing arrangements as police ringed Woodlawn Memorial Park in Nashville.Dolly Parton will be interred beside Carl Dean in a bronze-panelled tomb depicting a Tennessee mountain landscape, as the state's governor moves to rename Nashville International Airport in her honour.
Olive Branch, Mississippi, Mayor Ken Adams has publicly refused to lower the American flag to half-staff for Dolly Parton, directly defying orders from both President Trump and state governor Tate Reeves. Adams posted on the city's Facebook page that the honour belongs to military heroes, fallen first responders and presidents, cautioning that extending it to beloved public figures would 'lessen the meaning of the gesture.' The stand came as Parton's immediate family gathered Friday at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville for her burial in high heels, with Carl Dean, her late husband, laid to rest at her side.
Adams insisted his refusal was not about 'disrespecting Dolly Parton' but about preserving what he called 'one of the highest honours we can give.'
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee is seeking to rename Nashville International Airport in Parton's honour, with her team said to be open to the proposal.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul's highway sign tribute — 'Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, don't speed' — reportedly clashed with federal road safety rules discouraging distracting pop-culture messages.
