Reba McEntire & Sally Field Honor Dolly Parton At Emmys: “If There Are Truly Angels On Earth, We Have Just Lost One”

Nearly three weeks after the death of Dolly Parton at the age of 80, the Emmys on Monday paid tribute to the beloved music icon.

As Deadline reported Sunday, the segment featured another country star and longtime friend of Parton’s, Reba McEntire, along with Sally Field, who starred with Parton in the 1989 film Steel Magnolias. McEntire headlines the popular multi-camera sitcom Happy’s Place on NBC, which also aired this year’s 78th Emmy Awards live from the Peacock Theater alongside sibling NBCUniversal streamer Peacock.

“If there are truly angels on Earth, we have just lost one,” Field said. “Over the years, I never stopped loving her, though we lived very far apart. I adored her from Day 1. How could you not?! She was genuine and humble, supportive, and blisteringly funny, with a bawdy sense of humor that would send any rude guy looking for a place to hide. I couldn’t see then what a real giant Dolly was – not just as an artist, but as a human. She was a humanitarian whose contributions have made a profound difference in the lives of so many in her home state of Tennessee, and across our country. God bless you, Dolly Parton, my friend. I am not the only one on Earth that will love you forever and ever.”

In addition to her illustrious music career, Parton starred in and executive produced a string of TV movies and music specials.

After Field spoke, McEntire took the stage to sing Parton’s 1983 song “Appalachian Memories.” As the song’s final chord started to fade, McEntire offered a final salute: “I love you, Dolly. So much.”

Prior to the show, McEntire had posted to Parton on Instagram, “Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart. There will never ever be another you.”

A brief clip of Parton introducing “Appalachian Memories” before an awards-show performance of it offered a vivid reminder of her singular qualities.

“I’ve written a song that touches me very deep, and I’m sure that in your own way that you certainly will relate to this,” she told the audience. Continuing with a sly grin. “This song, like I say, is very important to me, and I hope you like it. And if you don’t like it, well, if you don’t mind, I would rather not hear about it later, okay?”