In Memoriam - Page 2

Remembering those who served to make our lives richer and more fulfilling.

Rest in peace our good and faithful servants, we will take it from here.

Melvin Van Peebles, trailblazing director and Black cinema champion, has died

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By Megan Thomas, Melvin Van Peebles, a trailblazing African-American director who helped champion a new wave of modern Black cinema in the 1970s, has died, his son announced Wednesday. He was 89. Van Peebles, father of actor and director Mario Van Peebles, died at his home on Tuesday night, according to a statement shared on social media. “Dad knew that Black images matter. If a picture is worth a thousand words, what was a movie worth? We want to be the success we see, thus we need to see ourselves being free,” Mario Van Peebles said of his father’s work

TSU REMEMBERS FORMER STUDENT AND FREEDOM RIDER ERNEST “RIP” PATTON AS A FIGHTER FOR JUSTICE

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By Tennessee State University Media Room Ernest “Rip” Patton, a former TSU student and member of the 1960s Nashville Freedom Riders, passed on August 23. The University is remembering Patton as a stalwart of the civil rights movement who dedicated his life to fighting for equality and justice for people of color. Patton was buried Friday in Nashville after homegoing celebrations at Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church. He was 81. TSU President Glenda Glover said Patton was unyielding and showed remarkable courage in risking imprisonment, injury and even death to ensure that blacks were treated fairly.  Glover says Patton was

Anthony Johnson, ‘Friday’ actor and comedian, has died

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By Marianne Garvey, Anthony “AJ” Johnson, an actor and comedian best known for his performance as Ezal in “Friday,” has died, his representative LyNea Bell told CNN Monday. He was 55. “The world of Comedy has truly been shaken, again. Our BH Talent family is heartbroken about the loss of the iconic legend of stage and screen Mr. Anthony “AJ” Johnson,” Bell said in a statement. “He has left with us amazing memories of his laughter, dynamic acting skills, but most of all his enormous personality and heart of gold.” No cause of death has been publicly shared. Beyond his

Michael K. Williams, ‘Wire’ actor, found dead

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By Mark Morales and Sandra Gonzalez, Michael K. Williams, an actor best known for his role as Omar Little on HBO’s “The Wire,” has died. He was 54. Williams was found dead in his New York City apartment Monday afternoon, a law enforcement official told CNN. Investigators found drug paraphernalia near his body, the official said. The investigation is ongoing, according to another law enforcement source who spoke to CNN. “It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Emmy nominated actor Michael Kenneth Williams. They ask for your privacy while grieving this unsurmountable loss,” his long-time rep Marianna

Chucky Thompson, famed hip hop Bad Boy producer, dead at 53

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By Lisa Respers France Chucky Thompson, a producer for Bad Boy who worked with some of the biggest names in hip hop and R & B including Notorious B.I.G., Nas and Mary J. Blige has died. He was 53. His publicist, Tamar Juda, confirmed the news to CNN on Tuesday. No cause of death was shared. “It is with a very heavy heart that I can confirm the passing of Chucky Thompson,” Juda said in a statement. “To anyone in his orbit, you know how generous he was with his energy, creativity and love. Both the music industry, and the

Dennis Thomas, Kool & the Gang co-founder, dies at 70

By Elizabeth Joseph and Alaa Elassar Kool & the Gang co-founder Dennis Thomas, often referred to as “Dee Tee,” has died. He was 70 years old. Thomas passed away in his sleep in New Jersey on Saturday, according to a statement posted to the Grammy Award-winning band’s verified Facebook page. Born in Orlando, Florida, Thomas was a longtime resident of Montclair, New Jersey, the band said in its in memoriam post. Thomas, “known as the quintessential cool cat in the group, loved for his hip clothes and hats, and his laid-back demeanor,” is survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons,

Legendary Houston Astros pitcher J.R. Richard dies at age 71

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By Alta Spells Former Houston Astros pitcher J.R. Richard died at age 71, according to a statement from the team on Thursday. “Today is a sad day for the Houston Astros as we mourn the loss of one of our franchise icons,” the Astros said. A member of the club’s Hall of Fame, Richard’s 10-year career with the Astros was cut short by a stroke in July 1980. “J.R. will forever be remembered as an intimidating figure on the mound and as one of the greatest pitchers in club history. He stood shoulder to shoulder with club icons Larry Dierker, Joe Niekro

‘May his light continue to guide us’: Civil rights leader Bob Moses dies at 86

by Kayleigh Skinner and Bobby Harrison  Robert “Bob” Parris Moses, a civil rights leader, educational advocate and pioneer in grassroots community organizing whose efforts played a key role in helping Black Mississippians gain basic rights, died Sunday at 86. On Sunday morning, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Legacy Project’s 60th Anniversary Conference posted on social media that Moses, a civil rights hero, had died. “We honor his vision, tenacity, and fearlessness. His deep belief in people who find themselves in the socio/economic bottom made a fundamental difference for millions of his fellow Americans,” the SNCC Legacy Project said in

Biz Markie, ‘Just A Friend’ rapper, dead at 57

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By Lisa Respers France and Andy Rose Biz Markie, who infused his music with so much fun and humor that he became known as “The Clown Prince of Hip Hop,” has died, his manager, Jenni Izumi, confirmed to CNN. He was 57. “Biz created a legacy of artistry that will forever be celebrated by his industry peers and his beloved fans whose lives he was able to touch through music, spanning over 35 years,” Izumi said in a written statement. Beloved in the music industry for his lighthearted persona, Biz Markie even had a dance named for him. Born Marcel

Paul Mooney, ‘Bamboozled’ and ‘Chappelle’s Show’ actor and comedian, has died

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By Marianne Garvey Paul Mooney, the actor-comedian famous for starring on “Chappelle’s Show” and “Bamboozled,” has died at 79, a rep for the actor, Cassandra Williams, told The Hollywood Reporter. Mooney’s daughter, Spring Mooney, also took to Twitter with the news, saying her “best friend” has died. Mooney passed away from a heart attack on Wednesday morning in Oakland, California. The comedian was from Shreveport, Louisiana, and got his start as a writer for Richard Pryor. He went on to write for the sketch hit “In Living Color” and often appeared in skits on Dave Chappelle’s Comedy Central show. He

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