American poet and author Maya Angelou died in her home in North Carolina on Wednesday morning.  She was 86-years old.  Her works chronicled overcoming the racism and indignities of America’s Jim Crow South.

The family released a statement on Angelou’s Facebook page:

“Dr. Maya Angelou passed quietly in her home before 8:00 AM EST.  Her family is extremely grateful that her ascension was not belabored by a loss of acuity or comprehension.  She lived a life as a teacher, activist, artist and human being.  She was a warrior for equality, tolerance and peace.  The family is extremely appreciative of the time we had with her and we know that she is looking down upon us with love.”

Angelou’s health concerns weren’t really known until Tuesday, when she cancelled an event for “health reasons”. 

“She’d been very frail and had heart problems, but she was going strong, finishing a new book,” Angelou's agent Helen Brann said.  “I spoke to her yesterday.  She was fine, as she always was.  Her spirit was indomitable.”

Her first book, 1969’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” dealt with the racism and family trauma of her upbringing including surviving sexual abuse.  It spent two years on the US best-seller list.  Throughout “Caged Bird” and its five sequels, Angelou dealt with surviving the marginalizing forces of racism and sexism.

Her other books include:  “Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘fore I Diiie” (1971); “Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well” (1975); “And Still I Rise” (1978); and “Shaker, Why Don’t You Sing?” (1983).  More than a decade before being published, Angelou released an album of Calypso songs.

Angelou was a mentor to Oprah Winfrey and favorite of many presidents.  She spoke at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton and was awarded the Presidential Medal of the Arts in 2000.  In 2011, President Barack Obama honored her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.