Maya Angelou died on May 28th, 2014 at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She was 86 years old. Her funeral was held on June 7th, 2014, at Wake Forest University’s Wait Chapel. Hundreds of people attended the funeral service in honor of the esteemed poet and author, including dignitaries such as former president Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey.
The service was an emotional event for those in attendance, lasting four and a half hours. There were several speakers, including Angelou’s son, Guy Johnson, and former president Bill Clinton, who read a poem she had written. The Reverends Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson also spoke at the service.
Oprah Winfrey delivered a powerful eulogy, recalling how Angelou had inspired her and encouraging those in attendance to live their lives with the same grace, courage and compassion exemplified by Angelou. The crowd was so emotional during her speech that, at one point, Winfrey stopped to gather herself and asked the crowd to do the same.
The service was emotional and spiritual, featuring many musical performances, including musical tributes from civil rights icons, Rev. C.L. Franklin and daughter Aretha Franklin. Angelou’s friends and family sang three of her favorite songs in honor of the poet: Still I Rise, His Eye Is On The Sparrow, and Just A Closer Walk.
The funeral concluded with a performance of “We Shall Overcome” by Angelou’s granddaughter, giving the ceremony a sense of closure. After the service, Angelou’s ashes were buried in her hometown at the St. Louis Cemetery in Stamps, Arkansas. Very few people attended the private service for the burial.
The Impact of Maya Angelou’s Life
Throughout her life, Maya Angelou made tremendous contributions to literature, politics, and civil rights. Her poetry inspired many, and she taught lessons of resilience and fortitude in the face of adversity. Angelou served as a mentor to many, and her legacy continues to influence generations of people today.
Angelou’s struggles against racial injustice, poverty and gender inequality contributed to the civil rights movement, and her books and poems served to tell the stories of African American womanhood and Black identity. She wrote books that addressed the truth of racism, sexism, and oppression and spoke openly about her own difficult experiences, inspiring a generation of African American authors.
Angelou used her personal life to artfully and powerfully illustrate the world around her – the stories of joy and suffering she experienced allowed her to encourage perseverance and courage in her readers. She became a known and respected public figure and she was honored with numerous awards during her lifetime, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Arts.
Young writers, activists, and other public figures still turn to her writings and teachings for inspiration. Her powerful story of self-love and determination, her ability to find beauty even in the midst of sorrow, and her willingness to teach others, only serves to remind us of the importance of her life and work.
The Legacy of Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou’s life story is testament to the power of writing, and the positive change that can be made with words. In addition to writing books, Angelou also wrote poetry, scripts, music and speeches, touching the lives of many with her words.
Angelou was not only a writer, but also a playwright, director, and civil rights activist. She played an important role in the civil rights movement, working alongside Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and other civil rights activists. She also held positions in several organizations, including the Black Arts Movement and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Throughout her life, she never ceased to fight for African American civil rights and was not afraid to challenge the status quo.
Angelou’s legacy lives on through her inspiring and powerful works. Her books and poems continue to be taught in classrooms around the world, and her influence can still be felt in popular culture today – from books to films to music, her words have been preserved and are still spoken by many. Her enduring messages of hope continue to inspire people to rise up and fight for justice and equality.
The Personal Loss of Maya Angelou
The loss of Maya Angelou was felt deeply by many who knew her, and by those who had only encountered her words. For those close to Angelou, the loss was particularly profound. She was more than a world-renowned poet and author – she was also a friend and a mother figure, serving as an inspirational figure to those around her.
Angelou was admired by everyone who knew her and she was a deeply caring individual. Her warmth and generosity had a lasting impact on those around her and her words provided hope and comfort to many. Although she is no longer with us, her legacy will live on through her work and the countless lives she touched.
The Process of Grieving For Maya Angelou
When news of Maya Angelou’s death spread, many people around the world mourned the loss of one of their personal heroes. For many, their feelings of loss and sadness were magnified by not having the chance to mourn at her funeral – even though hundreds of people attended the service, others were too far away or too busy with other commitments. In life, Angelou encouraged all of us to express our feelings and provided us with the permission to do so – with her death, this permission was still present and many people finally had the space and permission to grieve Angelou’s passing.
For those who sought comfort, reading Angelou’s words could provide solace and strength. Some chose to write their own pieces in honor of Angelou, or to listen to or recite her poetry to feel her presence. Additionally, they could draw on her writings of strength, resilience and overcoming adversity to motivate them to cope with their own losses.
The Teachings of Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou lived a life of courage and love, learning important life lessons along the way. Her beloved poetry was filled with valuable lessons and she taught us to work hard and love freely. Although she is no longer here, her words and teachings still remain relevant. Angelou reminded us to strive for justice and equality, to have an open heart, and to find the courage to stand up for ourselves and those around us.
She also taught us about the power of our words, urging us to think before we speak and to use words carefully. This reminder to think and speak with kindness was echoed by the thousands of people around the world who paid tribute to Angelou in the days after her death. This testament to her power illustrates the profound impact she had – even after her death, her words are still inspiring people to be kinder, more hopeful and more determined.
The Significance of Maya Angelou in Today’s World
Maya Angelou embodied courage, resilience and strength – attributes that are still relevant and important today. In a time of widespread social injustice, her words serve as a reminder to stand up for what is right and to fight for justice. The struggles that Angelou faced in her own life gave perspective and encouraged those in similar positions to never give up.
Now, her messages of perseverance and determination have become a beacon of light in times of darkness. Her writings and words continue to inspire hundreds of people around the world and, even though she is no longer here with us, her legacy continues to touch and shape the lives of many.
