"True joy is just waiting for you!"

One of the most lauded country music performers of all time, Dolly Parton is known not only for her dazzling talent but also for her generous philanthropy. Around Easter, everything that informs her openheartedness converges in one big celebration of faith and the sweet memories she holds dear. Here, Dolly catches up with Woman's World about her Easter traditions and carrying that peace, hope and joy throughout the year

- Deborah Evans Price

Each Easter brings thoughts of family, friends and colorful fashion flair: all hallmarks of Dolly Parton's life and career. 

"Easter has always been a big deal," the East Tennessee native tells Woman's World. "My grandpa was a preacher, so Easter was always about Jesus and the resurrection, but also about finding Easter eggs and fun. It was about springtime and putting on frilly clothes to freeze your butt off because it usually turns out being colder than you wanted it to be!"

For the beloved icon, those memories carry into her celebrations today and help her keep those she has lost close, like her mother, Avie Lee.

"Mama would always make potato salad, ham, and a big chocolate or coconut cake. She'd do it from scratch, but now you can use an easy mix for all the good stuff," Dolly says, referencing her partnership with Duncan Hines which includes her own line of cakes, brownies, biscuits and cornbread.

This year, Dolly is looking forward to pausing to enjoy her traditions, and it'll be a welcome respite from working on a rock album and releasing "Peace Like a River," a gospel song she wrote and recorded with Dionne Warwick.

"I love seeing something in the world today that wasn't there yesterday," the 77-year-old says. "I'm so thankful that I can be creative and try my wings. I'm going to fly until I can't fly any more. I'm going to try those wings until they wear out!"

Here, Dolly's tips for flying high at any age and filling your Easter season with faith, food and memories to last a lifetime.

Find peace in faith