You were and will always be the greatest teacher in humanity. How to love one another and cherish each day. Thank you!! Love you!!
Peter Brook
Thank you, Maya, for being a part of my life and my world. We are all children of God but we sometimes forget that but you teach us that we are all children of God and to live our lives that way. I have never met you in person but you have been a part of my life for many years. You do not judge people by their skin color, sexual orientation, religion, or any other insignificant quality – we are all equal in God’s eyes. Over the many years that you were of this earth you taught us so much but, to me, the most important thing I learned from you is that there will always be clouds but there will also be rainbows. When there are clouds, go around them, go over them, go around them and search for the rainbow. Although you are no longer with us in body, you will always be with us in spirit and the world is a better place because you were here.
gidget watson
Maya is in an inspiration to me because of the fact that I am a single black mother. She showed me that there is nothing we can not do as along as we keep the faith and stay on the straight road.
Thank You God for giving us Maya.
Delando Stocker
Thank you. That’s the one thing I was certain I wanted to say to you. But as I write I feel the need to elaborate. I have not done a lot with my life that I am proud of but whenever I witnessed your presence, Maya, either on television or in print, it was in those moments that I was just so thankful that I was alive….I had survived…I still had hope…a dream. My God! Look at your life! God truly loved you. And….He loves me too. Thank you.
Dee Tucker
Dr. Angelou moved thru life with grace…may that grace fill the hearts of the family in these hours of loss and in the days of their lives ahead.
Pamela Venable
I was drawn to Dr. Maya Angelou by hearing her voice on TV. So calming and so true with every word clear and meaning understandable. She will always be my storyteller through her books and poetry. Everything I continue to read of hers opens my mind and heart more. Her teaching has been a blessing to so many. Her teachings must not stop with the insight and wisdom her words express for all humanity. Sharing this: “We need joy as we need air. We need love as we need water. We need each other as we need the earth we share. We are blessed that there is within our reach enough of all we need.” Dr. Maya Angelou.
Lisa Blackwood
I know better and I have done better. Thank you for the gift of a lifetime.
Kimberly Colclough
Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow,
May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.
~Author Unknown
My condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Maya Angelou.
Noel Shepherd
I knew of Dr. Angelou when I came to Wake Forest as a freshman. I met her once on campus but never took any of her classes. It’s one of the few things I regret about my time as a student at Wake Forest. After graduating I worked at WXII-TV in Winston-Salem as a writer/producer for various projects. One day I received a call From Jim Steele, who worked with Dr. Angelou, about coming to her home to record a video message. Needless to say we jumped at the opportunity. We went to her home, set up in her living room and recorded a video message to Coretta Scott King, widow of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who is one of my personal heroes. It was surreal to be there, and I was honored to just play a part in that exchange between two American icons. I remember how she treated me with such respect, how genuine she was, and how friendly she was to our crew. It made quite an impression. Dr. Angelou must have liked our work because we received many requests for similar projects after that. They ranged from a video birthday message to Oprah, to one of the first recordings of her inauguration poem for Bill Clinton. Each time I sat there mesmerized, witnessing something special and historic, and being thankful that I was able to play a small part. On my second trip to her home, she greeted me by calling my name. I always found it odd or even a bit over-the-top that she referred to everyone by their last name. “Mr. Shepherd, so good to see you today.” Even after we became more well-acquainted, she would still refer to me in a formal manner. One day, as we were waiting for the set up of camera and lights, she invited me to sit with her at her kitchen table. She offered me iced tea, and we sat and drank and talked. She wanted to know more about me: where I came from, my parents’ background, my experience at Wake, my hopes and dreams. I was taken aback that someone of her stature would want to know anything about me. As we spoke, I worked up the nerve to ask her some questions as well. She was so honest and forthcoming, it surprised me. But it gave me even greater insight into the greatness of Dr. Angelou. I finally asked her why she continued to use such formal greetings, even to people she was familiar with. To the best of my recollection, she simply stated, “It’s about respect, Mr. Shepherd. The world would be a better place if we all had respect for one another. It’s my way of honoring you as a person.” I had many more interactions with Dr. Angelou. But that one experience of just a few minutes sitting at her kitchen table, drinking her iced tea, and learning a life-lesson from a literary legend will always stand out as my favorite. Thank you, Dr. Angelou for your kindness, your dignity, your respect. I will never forget.
Shielda “Swoopn” Jenkins
Our love and prayers go with Dr. Maya Angelou’s family and many friends. Oprah said it best, “When you lose someone you love, you gain and ANGEL” you know”. We now have a very special angel in our lives, we must make changes for better while holding her memory close to our hearts, as she’ll always be with us.
Dr. Maya, please tell Jesus, my beloved Parent’s, Brother, Nephew and my loving Husband I/We said hello and that they are so missed but NEVER forgotten.
With Love forever and a day,
The world is sad but you’re with the BEST now and that enlightens our hearts,
Shielda “Swoopn” Jenkins and son Johnell H. (Lil Moon) Jenkins
Sacramento, CA
Serena Tali
I was an innocent scared student from Africa. I was far from home and lonely. Then I went to the Library one day and found a copy of “I know why the caged bird sings” I loved the book. Her life inspired me. She was extremely courageous, she fearlessly chased her dreams wherever they took her. I’m no longer afraid. I try new things and now when I walk into a room, I don’t tremble because i’m different, I smile and wonder who’s going to want to speak with me first because i’m different. She taught me its great to be unique.
Dorothy
Thank you for your various gifts, your legacy will lives on. I was truly insipired by you from a very early age until you were called to Heaven. Rest in peace Dr Maya the world is poorer without you.
Dorothy Kgasoane
Johannesburg, South Africa
Brenda McGrail
Dr. Angelou, you have left us with a great legacy and we will remember you – always. Thanks for being an inspiration!
Tamara Willis
Thank you Maya Angelou for artfully and skillfully putting into words those wonderful “knowings” that powerfully resonate with all of humanity.
wpk
“…as if we’ve got gold mines digging in our own backyard…”
Nancy Ballard Cox
To the family and friends of Sister Maya as she told us she wished be called, our world has lost the Earthly presence of a true shero. We are so blessed to have her body of work left to provide us with such wonderful memories. Since she told us she saw a “rainbow in every cloud”, I will think of her every time I see a rainbow from now on. I wish your family peace.
Ecko Azzure
I DID HAVE THE PLEASURE OF MEETING YOU PERSONALLY. ONLY KNEW YOU FROM THE HISTORY BOOKS IN SCHOOL/TV & THE INTERNET. THANKS FOR ALL YOU DID & ACCOMPLISHED.
MAY YOU
REST
IN
PEACE.
J. Edward Griffin
“Her spirit is very loud. She is continuing to be heard even after her body has gone on. She will continue to be a force that the world knows of. She healed so many people with her words of encouragement. She will truly be missed. Such a talented woman and such a great personality that the world was improved for having had her in it. Thank the Lord for carving such a phenomenal individual out of such meager and humble beginnings. Such was her life. God Bless.”
Nellie Shelton
Dr. Angelou,
I Thank you for being a fantastic poet and prose writer. I could say much more, but I hope that “THANK YOU!!” for all of humanity covers it all.
Nellie Shelton
Tamika Bowman-Williams
Prayers of comfort to the Wake Forest University Faculty, Staff, Students and Johnson Family.
Dr. Angelou was a precious jewel that taught us through her poems and books. She showed us how to Live, Love, Teach and Learn. What an inspiration – your lessons will go on to teach and encourage.
Thank you for sharing her with the rest of the world.
Tamika Bowman-Williams/Summerville, S.C.
Claflin University
You were and will always be the greatest teacher in humanity. How to love one another and cherish each day. Thank you!! Love you!!
Thank you, Maya, for being a part of my life and my world. We are all children of God but we sometimes forget that but you teach us that we are all children of God and to live our lives that way. I have never met you in person but you have been a part of my life for many years. You do not judge people by their skin color, sexual orientation, religion, or any other insignificant quality – we are all equal in God’s eyes. Over the many years that you were of this earth you taught us so much but, to me, the most important thing I learned from you is that there will always be clouds but there will also be rainbows. When there are clouds, go around them, go over them, go around them and search for the rainbow. Although you are no longer with us in body, you will always be with us in spirit and the world is a better place because you were here.
Maya is in an inspiration to me because of the fact that I am a single black mother. She showed me that there is nothing we can not do as along as we keep the faith and stay on the straight road.
Thank You God for giving us Maya.
Thank you. That’s the one thing I was certain I wanted to say to you. But as I write I feel the need to elaborate. I have not done a lot with my life that I am proud of but whenever I witnessed your presence, Maya, either on television or in print, it was in those moments that I was just so thankful that I was alive….I had survived…I still had hope…a dream. My God! Look at your life! God truly loved you. And….He loves me too. Thank you.
Dr. Angelou moved thru life with grace…may that grace fill the hearts of the family in these hours of loss and in the days of their lives ahead.
I was drawn to Dr. Maya Angelou by hearing her voice on TV. So calming and so true with every word clear and meaning understandable. She will always be my storyteller through her books and poetry. Everything I continue to read of hers opens my mind and heart more. Her teaching has been a blessing to so many. Her teachings must not stop with the insight and wisdom her words express for all humanity. Sharing this: “We need joy as we need air. We need love as we need water. We need each other as we need the earth we share. We are blessed that there is within our reach enough of all we need.” Dr. Maya Angelou.
I know better and I have done better. Thank you for the gift of a lifetime.
Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow,
May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.
~Author Unknown
My condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Maya Angelou.
I knew of Dr. Angelou when I came to Wake Forest as a freshman. I met her once on campus but never took any of her classes. It’s one of the few things I regret about my time as a student at Wake Forest. After graduating I worked at WXII-TV in Winston-Salem as a writer/producer for various projects. One day I received a call From Jim Steele, who worked with Dr. Angelou, about coming to her home to record a video message. Needless to say we jumped at the opportunity. We went to her home, set up in her living room and recorded a video message to Coretta Scott King, widow of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who is one of my personal heroes. It was surreal to be there, and I was honored to just play a part in that exchange between two American icons. I remember how she treated me with such respect, how genuine she was, and how friendly she was to our crew. It made quite an impression. Dr. Angelou must have liked our work because we received many requests for similar projects after that. They ranged from a video birthday message to Oprah, to one of the first recordings of her inauguration poem for Bill Clinton. Each time I sat there mesmerized, witnessing something special and historic, and being thankful that I was able to play a small part. On my second trip to her home, she greeted me by calling my name. I always found it odd or even a bit over-the-top that she referred to everyone by their last name. “Mr. Shepherd, so good to see you today.” Even after we became more well-acquainted, she would still refer to me in a formal manner. One day, as we were waiting for the set up of camera and lights, she invited me to sit with her at her kitchen table. She offered me iced tea, and we sat and drank and talked. She wanted to know more about me: where I came from, my parents’ background, my experience at Wake, my hopes and dreams. I was taken aback that someone of her stature would want to know anything about me. As we spoke, I worked up the nerve to ask her some questions as well. She was so honest and forthcoming, it surprised me. But it gave me even greater insight into the greatness of Dr. Angelou. I finally asked her why she continued to use such formal greetings, even to people she was familiar with. To the best of my recollection, she simply stated, “It’s about respect, Mr. Shepherd. The world would be a better place if we all had respect for one another. It’s my way of honoring you as a person.” I had many more interactions with Dr. Angelou. But that one experience of just a few minutes sitting at her kitchen table, drinking her iced tea, and learning a life-lesson from a literary legend will always stand out as my favorite. Thank you, Dr. Angelou for your kindness, your dignity, your respect. I will never forget.
Our love and prayers go with Dr. Maya Angelou’s family and many friends. Oprah said it best, “When you lose someone you love, you gain and ANGEL” you know”. We now have a very special angel in our lives, we must make changes for better while holding her memory close to our hearts, as she’ll always be with us.
Dr. Maya, please tell Jesus, my beloved Parent’s, Brother, Nephew and my loving Husband I/We said hello and that they are so missed but NEVER forgotten.
With Love forever and a day,
The world is sad but you’re with the BEST now and that enlightens our hearts,
Shielda “Swoopn” Jenkins and son Johnell H. (Lil Moon) Jenkins
Sacramento, CA
I was an innocent scared student from Africa. I was far from home and lonely. Then I went to the Library one day and found a copy of “I know why the caged bird sings” I loved the book. Her life inspired me. She was extremely courageous, she fearlessly chased her dreams wherever they took her. I’m no longer afraid. I try new things and now when I walk into a room, I don’t tremble because i’m different, I smile and wonder who’s going to want to speak with me first because i’m different. She taught me its great to be unique.
Thank you for your various gifts, your legacy will lives on. I was truly insipired by you from a very early age until you were called to Heaven. Rest in peace Dr Maya the world is poorer without you.
Dorothy Kgasoane
Johannesburg, South Africa
Dr. Angelou, you have left us with a great legacy and we will remember you – always. Thanks for being an inspiration!
Thank you Maya Angelou for artfully and skillfully putting into words those wonderful “knowings” that powerfully resonate with all of humanity.
“…as if we’ve got gold mines digging in our own backyard…”
To the family and friends of Sister Maya as she told us she wished be called, our world has lost the Earthly presence of a true shero. We are so blessed to have her body of work left to provide us with such wonderful memories. Since she told us she saw a “rainbow in every cloud”, I will think of her every time I see a rainbow from now on. I wish your family peace.
I DID HAVE THE PLEASURE OF MEETING YOU PERSONALLY. ONLY KNEW YOU FROM THE HISTORY BOOKS IN SCHOOL/TV & THE INTERNET. THANKS FOR ALL YOU DID & ACCOMPLISHED.
MAY YOU
REST
IN
PEACE.
“Her spirit is very loud. She is continuing to be heard even after her body has gone on. She will continue to be a force that the world knows of. She healed so many people with her words of encouragement. She will truly be missed. Such a talented woman and such a great personality that the world was improved for having had her in it. Thank the Lord for carving such a phenomenal individual out of such meager and humble beginnings. Such was her life. God Bless.”
Dr. Angelou,
I Thank you for being a fantastic poet and prose writer. I could say much more, but I hope that “THANK YOU!!” for all of humanity covers it all.
Nellie Shelton
Prayers of comfort to the Wake Forest University Faculty, Staff, Students and Johnson Family.
Dr. Angelou was a precious jewel that taught us through her poems and books. She showed us how to Live, Love, Teach and Learn. What an inspiration – your lessons will go on to teach and encourage.
Thank you for sharing her with the rest of the world.
Tamika Bowman-Williams/Summerville, S.C.
Claflin University