RIP-BITZ IN 2010

In 2010, we have seen several notable people in the arts and entertainment field from the ILLI MO area who passed on. Here are some of those who died.

JANUARY

STL native Brad L. Graham, a theater publicist and social networking pioneer who is credited with coining the term “blogosphere,” died of natural causes. He was 41.

Former Chicago based magazine publisher and fashion maven Eunice Johnson and widow of Ebony magazine founder the late John Johnson.Mrs. Johnson died of renal failure. She was 93.

KDHX-FM (88.1) radio personality and operations manager Larry Weir died after a bad fall and brain damage. He was 57.

STL photographer Carlton Carter, from a gunshot from a workplace ambush at ABB. He was 57

MAY

Zion, Ill native actor Gary Coleman Actor Gary Coleman, famous for his role as Arnold in “Different Strokes,” died today after a brain hemorrhage following a bad fall. He was 42.

JUNE

Former U City cop and socialite Tyrone Thompson from a gunshot wound after a robbery attempt.He was 47.

AUGUST

STL singer Dave Hagerty of the group Fattback, in a car accident. He was 28.

STL male entertainer Savion Simpson from complications from A.I.D.S. He was 31.

Chicago native jazz singer and actress Abby Lincoln, who’s famous for her Golden Globes nominated role in For the Love of Ivy with Sidney Poitier, of natural causes. She was 80.

St. Louis native and Denver resident movie reviewer Reggie McDaniel who could be heard locally on KTRS-550 AM during the Frank O. Pinion died from a lung disease. He was 60.

SEPTEMBER

STL sports announcer Mickey Garagiola, the brother of baseball's Joe Garagiola who gained local fame as the ring announcer on "Wrestling at the Chase" of cancer. He was 88.

OCTOBER

Grammy Award winning Chicagoan Albertina Walker, of the legendary gospel group The Caravans and known as the "Queen of Gospel," died from respiratory failure. She was 81.

STL Harlem Tap Room owner Ezell Nance III. He was 75.

NOVEMBER

STL native filmmaker George Hickenlooper, of the Hollywood film, “:Casino Jack” died of natural causes. He was 47.

Earl Wilson Jr. was president and CEO of the St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation. He died of pancreatic cancer. He was 78.

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Chicago reared artist/educator Margaret Burroughs who founded the nationally recognized DuSable Museum of African American History almost 50 years ago, died of unspecified causes at home, surrounded by family. Relatives said she was 95; other records indicate she was 93.

St. Louis American Columnist Rev. Shirley Deavens was pastor of World Overcomers Christian Center. She was 72.

DECEMBER

Former Chicago Cubs third baseman and broadcaster Ron Santo died from complications of bladder cancer. He was 70.

AND ALL OF THOSE WHO LOST LOVED ONES THROUGH VIOLENCE, SICKNESS, AND NATURAL CAUSES