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UPDATED: 8:00 p.m. ET., Jan. 12, 2024
As we’ve come to grasp 12 months after 12 months, day after day even, loss of life is sadly an inevitable a part of life. Nonetheless, as a lot of a truth as which may be, the blow of experiencing loss by no means will get any simpler, nor does reporting on the topic in Black tradition.
That sentiment was felt following the unlucky passing just lately of Reggie Wells, Emmy-winning stylist to the likes of Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, Halle Berry and most notably Oprah Winfrey on a private degree for over 30 years.
He was 76 years outdated.
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Extra on the illustrious lifetime of the late Reggie Wells beneath, by way of The Hollywood Reporter:
“Wells acquired 5 Daytime Emmy nominations for his work on ‘The Oprah Winfrey Present,’ successful in 1995. He additionally appeared on her discuss present and traveled all all over the world together with her, together with to South Africa when she opened a college for ladies.
‘Reggie Wells was an artist who used his palette of expertise to create magnificence irrespective of the canvas,’ Winfrey mentioned in an announcement. ‘For a few years he was my make-up artist. He referred to as me and everybody he thought-about a buddy ‘Mary.’ He at all times made me really feel lovely. Ooh my, how we’d giggle and giggle in the course of the course of. He was an astute observer of human habits and will see humor in essentially the most unlikely experiences.’
Certainly one of seven youngsters, Wells was born on Dec. 2, 1947. His father, John, was a bus driver and his mom, Ada, a nurse. He graduated from Baltimore Metropolis Faculty and Maryland Institute Faculty of Artwork and taught artwork earlier than transferring to New York Metropolis in 1976.
He labored at make-up counters in division retailer earlier than touchdown journal gigs at ‘Glamour,’ ‘Life,’ ‘Harper’s Bazaar’ and ‘Essence,’ the place he did Winfrey’s make-up for a canopy shoot. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than she relocated him to Chicago to be her full-time make-up artist in 1990.”
Could his legacy on the earth of Black magnificence care and trend basically reside on ceaselessly.
Study extra beneath about who in our tradition handed away thus far this 12 months in 2024:
1. Reggie Wells
by way of PEOPLE:
“On Jan. 9, the native publication revealed that Wells — who labored with Oprah Winfrey for 30 years, amongst different A-list stars similar to Beyoncé, Aretha Franklin, Michelle Obama, Diahann Carroll and Halle Berry — died in Baltimore, his hometown, “after [battling] a protracted sickness.” He was 76. Earlier than turning into the make-up artist he was identified to be, Wells graduated from Baltimore Metropolis Faculty and Maryland Institute Faculty of Artwork and have become a metropolis artwork trainer, based on the Banner.”
2. Jerry Wade aka “The Final Loverman”
Supply:n/a
Indianapolis disc jockey Jerry Wade, host of WTLC’s The Quiet Storm with The Loverman Jerry Wade for over 40 years, died on the age 61. his loss of life was confirmed by household on Monday, January 8, 2024.
by way of WTLC:
“Whereas on the air, Jerry was ‘Mr. Loverman,’ a charismatic, deep voiced, radio disc-jockey, gracing the airwaves Sunday by way of Thursday with ‘sexiest present within the metropolis.’ However off-air, Jerry made everybody else really feel like they had been the tremendous star. ‘The Loverman’ was the persona, but when there he had an alter-ego it was simply ‘Jerry.’ An ego-less man who liked Indianapolis and wished to see individuals smile. What most listeners didn’t know, was Jerry’s giving coronary heart. Jerry was additionally the Government Director of ‘High quality of Life,’ an Grownup Day Middle on the east aspect of Indianapolis. If that wasn’t sufficient Jerry was additionally a entrepreneur, because the proprietor of a number of salons generally known as ‘Scorching Cuts’ and naturally ‘Jerry Wade Stay’ his cellular DJ service. And an actual life ‘Hitch’ as by way of his date coach providers he linked and reconnected numerous relationship.”
3. Josephine Wright
The The 94-year-old Hilton Head Island girl gained viral attraction in her authorized battle to maintain maintain of her household’s ancestral land. She handed away on January 7 “surrounded by household, family members, and prayers” as per CNN.
Extra by way of CNN:
“Wright remained dedicated to defending her property, submitting a number of counterclaims, accusing the developer of harassing her and trashing her property.
‘I wish to be left alone,’ Wright advised CNN in July. ‘I wish to reside on my property like I’ve at all times in peace and quiet.’
Media mogul Tyler Perry, who had been a fierce champion of Wright in her combat towards builders, mentioned he was ‘heartbroken’ to study of her loss of life in a tribute on Instagram.
‘Ms. Josephine Wright, though we spoke by telephone, I used to be so wanting ahead to assembly you in particular person subsequent month at hand you the keys to your new home, however God had different plans,’ Perry mentioned.”
