Dr. Maya Angelou Celebrated Author and Poet, Dies

LONG BEACH, Calif. - May 28, 2014 - PRLog -- Poet and author Dr. Maya Angelou, who rose from poverty, segregation and violence to become a force on stage, screen and the printed page, has died. She was 86.

Angelou was found by her caretaker on Wednesday morning, Allen Joines, mayor of Winston-Salem, N.C., told the local Fox affiliate. Her son, Guy B. Johnson, said she died quietly in her home in the city before 8 a.m. local time.

"Her family is extremely grateful that her ascension was not belabored by a loss of acuity or comprehension," Johnson said in a statement. "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."

The celebrated poet had recently canceled two scheduled appearances. She had been set to attend the 2014 MLB Beacon Awards Luncheon on May 30 but pulled out for "health reasons." She also canceled an event in Fayetteville, Ark., because she was recovering from an "unexpected ailment" that landed her in the hospital, CBS News reported.

Tall and regal with a deep, majestic voice, Angelou defied all probability and category, becoming one of the first black women to enjoy mainstream success as an author and thriving in virtually every artistic medium. The young single mother who performed at strip clubs to earn a living later wrote and recited the most popular presidential inaugural poem in history.

“She challenged us to be more; more in tune with ourselves, the community, the world as a whole. She asked us to evolve - she dared us to be that which God has called us to be,” says Dr. Angela Butts Chester, Founder of Angela Chester International (Angela Chester Ministries) and New Life Pastoral Counseling in Long Beach, CA.  “She required nothing other than we live life with purpose. She gave us a script to life when words escaped us. She fashioned beauty and majesty out of language during a time when others used language against her.”

“She has changed a generation with her pen and will forever be a legend of our times, “ says Dr. Chester.  “Thank you for sharing your gift with the world Dr. Angelou.  May the winds of heaven dance before you, angel wings carry you, and heaven accept you."

ABOUT DR. ANGELA CHESTER

Dr. Angela Butts Chester, is a Professional Speaker, Author, and Pastoral Counselor. She is a quoted expert in local, national and international media including CNN, The Atlanta Post, The Man Registry and The Los Angeles Times. She is the host of Modern Living with Dr. Angela that tackles mental health concerns with contemporary application.