obituaries

Ella Augusta Johnson Dinkins, posing in a garden, one of her favorite places.

National

Ella Augusta Johnson Dinkins, Champion Of Zora Neale Hurston's Hometown, Dies At 102

10:03am December 14, 2020

by Renata Sago

Dinkins, who knew the writer, was a longtime resident of Eatonville, Fla., which was founded by freed slaves in 1887. She helped start the Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities.

English writer and spy novelist John le Carré, pictured in March 1965. He died Saturday at age 89.

Books

Spy Novelist John Le Carré Dies At 89

8:31pm December 13, 2020

by Rachel Treisman

The bestselling author of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy died Saturday at age 89; his work was informed by his own years as a spy during the Cold War.

Arts

Carol Sutton, New Orleans Star Known For Role In 'Steel Magnolias,' Dies At 76

4:01pm December 13, 2020

by Gwen Thompkins

Sutton, who appeared in more than 100 movies, plays and television shows over a career that spanned almost 50 years, died this past week of complications from the coronavirus.

Music & Culture

Country Legend Charley Pride Dies Of COVID-19 Complications At 86

8:01am December 13, 2020

We remember Charley Pride, one of the first African Americans to become popular as a country artist. Pride died yesterday at the age of 86, of complications from COVID-19.

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'Jewish Telegraphic Agency' Commemorates Members Of The Community Lost To COVID-19

8:01am December 13, 2020

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency is attempting to personalize the pandemic by commemorating community members who have died. NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks with Editor-in-Chief Philissa Cramer.

Country music legend Charley Pride died on Saturday at age 86 from complications due to COVID-19. Pride, who gave his final performance last month at the CMA Awards in Nashville, was the first Black performer inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Music & Culture

Charley Pride, Country Music's First Major Black Star, Dies At 86

8:07pm December 12, 2020

by Jason Slotkin

Pride died Saturday from complications of COVID-19 in Dallas. The baritone-voiced singer was the first Black man inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

National

Finding A Way To Collectively Grieve The Lives Lost To COVID-19

5:25pm December 12, 2020

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Kristin Urquiza of Marked By Covid and Sallie Lynch of Tuesday's Children about meaningful ways to grieve the nearly 300,000 Americans who've died from COVID-19.

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Coronavirus Victims: Kentucky Doctor Mohammed Jawed

4:44pm December 10, 2020

Mohammed Jawed was a doctor in Corbin, Ky. His daughters remember him as a gentle, selfless man who helped COVID-19 patients, before succumbing to the disease himself.

Pianist Harold Budd, seen here during a portrait session in 2011, died after contracting COVID-19.

Music & Culture

Harold Budd's Music Was Heaven On Earth

9:44am December 10, 2020

by Simon Reynolds

The ambient composer and Brian Eno collaborator died this week at the age of 84 from complications brought on by COVID-19.

Former Sen. Paul Sarbanes, seen during a 2005 reception in Baltimore, died Sunday. Sarbanes represented Maryland for more than three decades, first as a member of the House and then as a senator.

Politics & Government

Paul Sarbanes, Longtime Senator From Maryland And Financial Reformer, Dies At 87

2:48pm December 08, 2020

by Colin Dwyer

The politician represented Maryland for more than three decades, first as a member of the House and then as a senator. He helped craft a law that overhauled corporate oversight after Enron's collapse.