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'I'm so much fun!' | 88-year-old from Tennessee finds joy in roller coaster rides at Dollywood

Joleen Hill is proof, you don't always have to act your age. The grandmother in her 80s spends her free time riding roller coasters at Dollywood.

SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. — A Knoxville grandmother finds fun in every day. Joleen Hill is an example of how your age shouldn't stop you from doing what you love.

Hill is an 88-year-old thrill seeker, who doesn't act her age, and that's just the way she likes it.

She looks for every opportunity to adventure, laugh and explore. She experiences all three of those things at Dollywood all year.

"I love just experimenting with different things, and by doing that, I think you stay young," Hill said. "I may not look it, but I love it!"

Being bold is in this season passholder's blood. "I'm so much fun," Hill exclaimed. You will rarely catch this roller coaster regular on rides like the carousel. She did ride it recently, however.

"I thought okay, this is a downer right here, let's get back to the Wild Eagle," Hill laughed.

Her friends who frequent the park with her, support in spirit. Hill explained there are few people her age who can actually keep up with her and navigate the park at the same pace.

"I always have to ride by myself, because I come with a friend who had a heart transplant, and she's not able to ride anything, but she's willing to sit while I ride everything, so she'll sit and watch me," Hill said. She doesn't mind being a single rider, though. 

Credit: Joleen Hill

If Hill had it her way, she would come to Dollywood every day, but since she's not able to do that, she fills her time with a packed schedule.

"I volunteer four days a week, and I go to the gym three days a week," Hill said. "So I try to stay in shape."

With a woman who loves Dollywood so much, and a name like Joleen Hill, it's only natural to wonder if she loves Dolly's song by the same name. On the contrary, Hill explained. She does not enjoy "Jolene," mainly because the kids she used to teach at Halls High School in Knoxville would sing it to her constantly.

Hill lives every day like it's her last, but in the past, it was not always that way.

"I didn't do a lot because my husband had Alzheimer's for 13 years before he passed away," Hill said.

Her husband died twelve years ago. When a disease dared to steal joy and memories, her heart stayed steady on track.

"At the last, he wanted to ride them, but I was afraid to let him ride them them,: Hill said. "So I said, 'I'll tell you what. You stand here, and I'll ride it twice. Once for me and once for you.' He said, 'okay!' so that was okay with him."

Credit: Joleen Hill

Through every loop life throws, being a light is her favorite way to be fearless.

"I love people, and so, anybody that wants to ride with me, I'll ride with them," Hill said.

Hill has a natural way of making others feel the fun too. Getting to ride alongside her on the newest roller coaster at the park, Big Bear Mountain, is an experience in itself. It's hard to hide the smiles, screams and laughs along the way.

She's soaring through her senior years, with a powerful purpose.

"You never know if you're gonna be here tomorrow," Hill said. "So just make the most of every day."

Hill also loves other adventurous activities, like zip lining. She has never sky dived, but she says it's on her list.

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