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It is our hope that you may find out something interesting that you didn’t already know about some people of whom we have come to know via the media.

So sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

A Black History Moment

InRemembrance

of …

2003

Famous Black Americans Who

Crossed Over In…

Nell CarterAge: 54

Sept. 13, 1948 - Jan. 23, 2003

Flamboyant singer and actress who won a Tony and an Emmy Award for her performance in Ain't Misbehavin'. She starred in the television series Gimme a Break! Carter died from heart disease complicated by diabetes and obesity in Beverly Hills, CA.

Maynard Jackson, Jr. Age: 65

March 23, 1938 - June 23, 2003

Influential former mayor of Atlanta, Ga., who transformed the city into a power base for the black middle class by advocating for the city's black majority and establishing affirmative-action programs. He died of cardiac arrest at an Arlington, Virginia hospital after suffering a heart attack at Reagan National Airport in June 2003.

Edwin Starr Age: 61

Jan. 21, 1942 – Apr. 3, 2003

Soul singer Edwin Starr born Charles Hatcher best known for his Grammy-winning 1970 hit, "War." Starr’s deep, powerful voice was as soulful as it comes and the message was clear: War," "What is it good for? Absolutely nothing" is as resonant and relevant today as it was when it was meant as a response to the Vietnam War. Starr died of a heart attack at the age of 61 in his home in Beeston near Nottingham, England.

Nina Simone Age: 70

Feb. 21, 1933 – Apr. 21, 2003

Nina Simone born Eunice Kathleen Waymoa, known as a sultry chanteuse whose difficult-to-classify music combined jazz, classical, folk, and gospel and a civil rights activist. The child prodigy played piano at the age of four. Dr. Simone passed away after being ill with cancer for several years before her death in her villa in Carry-le-Rouet in the South of France.

Barry WhiteAge: 58

Sept. 12, 1944 – Jul. 4, 2003

Grammy Award-winning R&B singer and disco icon known for his lush baritone bass voice. His soulful, seductive songs include "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe" and "You're the First, the Last, My Everything." White, 58, struggled for nearly a year with kidney failure caused by high blood pressure. He died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Exalted as ‘The Sultan of Soul’, ‘The Man’, and ‘The lcon of Love’, Barry White was and forever will be .’The Maestro.

Gregory Hines Age 57

Feb. 14, 1946 – Aug. 9, 2003

Born in New York, NY, Hinesn as regarded by many as the greatest tap dancer of his generation, and one who transcended the stage.Hines learned tap dancing as a toddler from his older brother Maurice. When Hines was five years old, he and his brother began dancing professionally, most notably at the Apollo Theater, in Harlem. Hines, the tap-dancing actor who starred on Broadway and in movies including White Nights, The Tic Code, and Running Scared, died of liver cancer in Los Angeles, CA.

Bobby BondsAge: 57

Mar. 15, 1946 – Aug. 23, 2003

All-Star baseball player who, in his 14 seasons in the major leagues, hit 332 home runs and stole 461 bases. He played for the San Francisco Giants for seven years. His son is slugger Barry Bonds. Bobby died of complications from lung cancer and a brain tumor.

Althea GibsonAge: 76

Aug. 25, 1927 – Sept. 28, 2003

Althea was a professional tennis player who was the first black person to play in and win Wimbledon and the United States national tennis championship. She won both tournaments twice, in 1957 and 1958. She is sometimes referred to as "the Jackie Robinson of tennis" for breaking the "color barrier". Althea died in East Orange, N.J due to respiratory failure.

Fred BerryAge: 52

Mar. 13, 1951 – Oct. 21, 2003

Actor Fred Berry, best known as "Rerun" on the 1970s TV show "What's Happening!!". During the 1990s he became a Baptist minister and lost 100 pounds after being diagnosed with diabetes. He made a living during this time mostly through making public appearances as Rerun. He was married six times to four different women. Berry died at his Los Angeles home where he was recovering from a stroke.

2004

Famous Black Americans Who

Crossed Over In…

Ron O’Neal Age: 66

Sept. 1, 1937 - Jan. 14, 2004

Actor Ron O'Neal, best known for starring in two "Superfly" blaxploitation movies in the 1970s. O'Neal, who was 66, died at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Paul WinfieldAge: 62

May 22, 1940 Mar.7, 2004

Academy Award-nominated actor Paul Winfield was nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and nominated for an Oscar for his lead performance in the movie “Sounder.” Winfield was not especially publicly open about his sexual orientation for most of his life. His life-partner of 30 years, Charles Gillian, Jr., died in 2002. Winfield died of a heart attack, said his agent Michael Livingston.

Ray Charles Age: 73

Sept. 23, 1930 – Jun. 11, 2004

Ray Charles was one of American music's great innovators, blending the gospel of the black church with the sensuality of the blues to create an emotionally raw genre called soul. Blind by age 7 and an orphan at 15, Charles spent his life shattering any notion of musical boundaries and defying easy definition. He died at his home in Beverly Hills, California at age 73 after a long battle with liver disease.

Isabel SanfordAge: 86

Aug. 29, 1917 – Jul. 9th 2004

Isabel Sanford, best known as "Weezie" or Louise Jefferson on the sitcoms "The Jeffersons," and "All in the Family" She received her break in showbiz as “Tillie” in the movie “Guess Who Is Coming To Dinner”.. In 1981, Sanford became the first black woman to receive an Emmy for Best Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on “The Jeffersons.” Sanford died of natural causes at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center with her daughter Pamela Ruff at her side.

Rick James Age: 56

Feb. 1, 1948 – Aug. 6, 2004

Funk legend Rick James, best known for the 1981 hit "Super Freak' before his career collapsed in a cloud of violent drug charges died in his sleep at his residence near Universal City, apparently of natural causes.

O. D. B. Age: 35

Nov. 11, 1969 – Nov. 13, 2004

O.D.B. or to use his full monicker, Ol' Dirty Bastard, died in a recording studio 2 days away from his 36th birthday. O.D.B. (real name Russell Jones) was finishing off his comeback album and apparently complained of chest pains before collapsing in the studio. He was one of the founding members of the Wu-Tang Clan, who recorded some of the most influential hip-hop of the '90s.

Reggie White Age: 43

Dec. 19, 1961 – Dec. 26, 2004

Reggie White, a fearsome defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers who was one of the great players in NFL history. White died at Presbyterian Hospital, where he was taken after his wife called 911. The Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner's Office ruled that White died from cardiac and pulmonary sarcoidosis. White, a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and ordained minister was known as the "Minister of Defense“.

2005

Famous Black Americans Who

Crossed Over In…

Shirley Chisholm Age: 80

Nov. 30, 1924 – Jan. 1, 2005

Mrs. Chisholm was an American politician, educator and author. She was a Congresswoman, representing New York's 12th District for seven terms from 1969-1983. In 1968, she became the first African American woman elected to Congress. In 1972, she became the first African American and the first woman to make a serious bid to be President of the United States.

Lamont Bentley Age: 31

Oct. 25, 1973 – Jan. 18, 2005

Lamont Bentley, who was a regular in the 1990s sitcom Moesha and appeared frequently in television and movies, was killed in a car crash. Bentley died when his vehicle plunged off the San Diego Freeway, manager Susan Ferris said. He was the only person in the vehicle. There is a suspicion of possible suicide.

Ossie Davis Age: 87

Dec. 18, 1917 – Feb. 4, 2005

Actor Ossie Davis, actor, film director, activist and husband of Ruby Dee, pioneered roles for African Africans in a stage and screen career that spanned more than 50 years. Davis was found dead by his grandson and paramedics at the Shore Club hotel in Miami Beach, where the actor had been shooting the film "Retirement". Davis was born “Raiford Chatman Davis” in Cogdell, Georgia

Reggie Roby Age: 43

Jul. 30, 1961 – Feb. 22, 2005

A 16-year NFL veteran punter and three-time Pro Bowl selection, Reggie Roby was found unconscious at home by his wife Melissa Roby with no pulse. The cause of death, to date, remains unannounced, but it is speculated that it was a heart attack. Former Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula praised Reggie Roby by stating, "He was an outstanding punter for us and his booming kicks often helped us win the field position battle."

Johnnie Cochran Jr.Age: 67

Oct. 2, 1937 – Mar. 29, 2005

Johnnie Cochran Jr., an attorney who rose to fame when he helped win an acquittal for O.J. Simpson in a double-murder trial. Cochran died at his home in Los Angeles, his family said in an emailed statement. He had been suffering from a brain tumor, the family reported to the media.

Ronald WinansAge: 48

Jun. 30, 1956 – Jun. 17, 2005

Ronald Winans, a Grammy-winning member of The Winans and of gospel's first family. Winans, who suffered a heart attack in 1997, died at Harper Hospital of heart complications. He had recently been admitted for observation for congestive heart failure after doctors realized he was retaining fluid.

Luther VanDross Age: 54

Apr. 20, 1951 – Jul. 1, 2005

Grammy award winner Luther VanDross, whose deep, lush voice on such hits as "Here and Now" and "Any Love" sold more than 25 million albums while providing the romantic backdrop for millions of couples worldwide. VanDross died at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, N.J., the cause of death is not known, although hospital spokesman Rob Cavanaugh has said that VanDross never recovered from the 2003 stroke. It was reported that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends.

Renaldo "Obie" Benson Age: 69

Jun. 14, 1936 – Jul. 1, 2005

Renaldo "Obie" Benson, a soul and R&B singer and songwriter. He was best known as a member of Motown group The Four Tops. Benson succumbed to lung cancer and other illnesses. His last performance as a Four Top was on April 8, 2005 live on Late Night with David Letterman.

John H. Johnson Age: 87

Jan. 19, 1918 – Aug. 8, 2005

John H. Johnson rose from the welfare rolls of the Depression to become the most successful Black businessman in American history. Johnson started the Johnson Publishing Company in November 1942 based on a $500 loan on his mother's furniture. He was the founder of Ebony and Jet magazines and became a member of the Forbes 400. Johnson publishing is now the largest black publishing company in the world and also owns Fashion Fair Cosmetics, the global leader for makeup and skin care for women of color.

Richard PryorAge:65

Dec. 1, 1940 –Dec. 10, 2005

Born Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor in Peoria, Illinois, the funnyman had long suffered from health problems at the time of his death. In addition to his multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 1986, he suffered a massive heart attack and underwent triple-bypass surgery in 1990. Pryor was known for his raunchy stand-up comedy and a variety of acting roles, including in "Blazing Saddles", "Superman III," "Lady Sings the Blues”, “Car Wash”,”Silver Streak”,” Which Way is Up?” “Greased Lightning” and "Harlem Nights," in which he starred with his comedic predecessor, Redd Foxx, and his heir apparent, Eddie Murphy.

2006

Famous Black Americans Who

Crossed Over In…

Lou RawlsAge: 72

Dec. 1, 1933 – Jan. 6, 2006

Chicago-born American soul music, jazz, and blues singer Lou Rawls was known for his smooth vocal style. Frank Sinatra once said that Rawls had "the classiest singing and silkiest chops in the singing game." Rawls released more than 70 albums, sold more than 40 million records, appeared as an actor in motion pictures and on television, and voiced-over many cartoons. Rawls began and continued the "Lou Rawls Parade of Stars Telethon"for the United Negro College Fund for his more than 25 years. Rawls succumed to to lung and brain cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles with his wife at his side.

Gene McFaddenAge:56

? 1949 – Jan. 27, 2006

Gene McFadden of the famous Philadelphia songwriting and performing duo McFadden & Whitehead, best known for the hits such as "Back Stabbers," "I'll Always Love My Momma," "For the Love of Money," 'Wake Up Everybody” and "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now," which became a Philadelphia sports anthem. Mr. McFadden succumbed to complications from liver and lung cancer at his Philadelphia home of 15 years.

Coretta Scott KingAge: 78

Apr. 27,1927 – Jan. 30, 2006

Coretta Scott King, the widow of slain civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., was a strong advocate of equal education opportunities. She was the founder of The King Center, which was established in 1968 as a living memorial dedicated to preserving the legacy of her husband, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and promoting the elimination of poverty, racism and war through research, education and training in Kingian nonviolence. King, who suffered a stroke and a mild heart attack in August 2005, succumbed to ovarian cancer.

I didn’t know that so many special people

have gone on to glory.

How about you?

Were you surprised by anyone who has died?

My, how time does fly!

These talented famous Black folks

are a part of our history. They will be

missed but never forgotten!!!

THEEND