What a great loss! Angelou's family just posted on her Facebook page, "Dr. Maya Angelou passed quietly in her home before 8:00 a.m. EST. Her family is extremely grateful that her ascension was not belabored by a loss of acuity or comprehension. She lived a life as a teacher, activist, artist and human being. She was a warrior for equality, tolerance and peace. The family is extremely appreciative of the time we had with her and we know that she is looking down upon us with love."
One of America's leading poets, authors and activists, Maya Angelou has pass on at the age of 86.
Angelou, best known for her 1969 memoir "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" became one of the world's most literary voices of the last 50 years. The news of her death was confirmed by the
mayor's office in her home town of Winston-Salem, North California, Today May 28. Mayor Allen Joines declared he was completely "sad of her passing".
Meanwhile, across America, celebrities have been pouring their heart felt condolences to Angelou's family as well as preaching her incredible legacies.
J.K Rowlings, author of Harry Potter tweeted one of her Angelou's quotes in tribute: "If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be... Maya Angelou - who was utterly amazing."
A statement from Wake Forest University , where Angelou bad been professor of American studies since 1982, said: "Dr. Angelou was a national treasure whose life and teachings inspired millions around the world."
The award winning author was raised by her grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas and first wrote about her rape experience by her mother's boyfriend when she was eight. The man was later killed when she told her family about the incident.
She became a singer, dancer, cocktail waitress, prostitute and an actress before beginning her writing career. She became the first African American woman to have a feature film adapted from one of her stories when her screen play Georgia, Georgia was made in 1972.
She also acted in the ground breaking 1977 TV drama "Roots" and earned a Tony Award nomination in 1973 for her performance in the play "Look Away."
Angelou won three Grammys for her spoken-word albums and received an honorary National Book Award by President Barack Obama in 2013.
May her Soul Rest in Perfect Peace.
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