~ CeCe6ration of tRisina "Joy"1 DRQ MAYA ANGELOU APRIL 4, 1928 ,...., MAY 28, 2014 '1 know what the caged Girdfeefs, a(as! When the sun is brig fit on the uy(and s(oyes; When the wind stirs soft tfirougfi the ~ringing grass, of 'And the riverjfows fike a stream g (ass; When the first birdsings and the first bud ayes, 'And the faint yeifume from its cfiafice steafs - '1 know what the caged birdfeefs! '1 know wfiy the caged bird beats his wing rri(( its b(oodis red on the crue( bars; Tor fie mustjfy back to his yerch and cfing When fie fain wou(d be on the 6ougfi a-swing; 'And a yain sti(( throbs in the oCt{, o(dscars 'And tfiey yu(se again with a keener sting - '1 know why fie beats his wing! '1 know wfiy the caged birdsings, afi me, When his wing is bruisedand his bosom sore,- When fie beats his bars and fie wou(d be free; of 'lt is not a caro( joy or gfee, 'But a_prayer that fie sendS from his heart's deey core, 'But ay(ea, that uyward to rJfeaven fie jfings - '] know why the caaea bira sings! - Pau(Laurence 1Jun6ar Writer, 1899 Doctor Maya Angelou was born to Vivian Baxter and Bailey Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri on April4, 1928. She passed to her Heavenly Reward quietly on May 28, 2014 in her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She is survived by her son, daughter-in-law, two grandsons and two great-grandchildren, a nephew, a niece, grandnieces, great-grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnephews and a host of beloveds. From the time she was a child, Dr. Angelou proved that she was a unique individual with amazing commitment and focus .. The birth of her son when she was seventeen did not prevent her from continuing in pursuit of her dreams for a creative career. From her start as a singer in San Francisco's Purple Onion and the Hungry I in 1953, to the installation of her portrait in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. In 20 14; she was continuously on a dramatic, musical or political stage. Dr. Maya Angelou was a dancer, a singer, an actress, a poet, a writer, a magazine editor, a playwright, a film director as well as a college lecturer, full Professor and a fearless, outspoken activist. She never let her various vocations inhibit her activism or her willingness to speak out against injustice and inequality. She performed in a number of major productions. She was in both the 1954 International Touring Company and the subsequent movie of Porgy and Bess. She was also in the 1977 television series of Alex Haley's 'Roots' and in the 1995 film 'How to make an American Quilt: There are too many other productions to name. She directed the films 'Georgia, Georgia' and 'Down in the Delta.' Dr. Maya Angelou's first book 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings' was published in 1970. She went on to write thirty- six other books including autobiographies, poetry and essays. A number of Dr. Angelou's works were best sellers and were published in a number of languages. Throughout her life Dr. Angelou's activism never flagged or waned. In 1959, during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, she headed the New York office of Dr. Martin Luther King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1959. Next, she worked for the Arab Observer News Magazine in Cairo, Egypt which was the premiere English language magazine in the Middle East. Later she moved to Ghana and met Malcolm X. She returned to the United States to work for him, but he was assassinated four days after her arrival in New York. She continued to be a voice of humanity, speaking out against anything that fettered the human spirit. Her life and her body of literary work trumpet the importance of love, tolerance and forgiveness. She was a warrior for truth, justice and love. "tJ've fearned thatyeoyfe wi((joraet what you said, yeoyfe wi((joraet what you did, butyeoyfe wi((neverJoraet how you made them jee(" - 1Jr. 'lvlaya !Jlnge(ou Officiating Dr. Serenus T. Churn, Sr. Senior Pastor Mount Zion Baptist Church Winston-Salem, North Carolina Prelude Processional Welcome Call to Worship Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Ensemble The Family of Dr. Maya Angelou Mr. Elliott Matthew Jones Grandson Dr. Serenus T. Churn, Sr. 1he Holy Scriptures New Testament John 14: 1-6, 27 Reflection Opening Song Official Tribute Just a Closer Walk with Thee Musical Tribute Reflection I Hope You Dance Written by Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers Ambassador Andrew Young Ms. Cicely Tyson Actress Dr. Bobby Jones Bobby Jones Gospel Choir The Honorable Bill Clinton 42nd President of the United States Ms. Lee Ann Womack Performing Artist Dr. Edwin Wilson Provost Emeritus, Wake Forest University Musical Tribute Reflection Musical Tribute Official Tribute Eulogy Personal Tribute Musical Tribute Closing Tribute Recessional God Put a Rainbow in the Clouds Ms. Alyson Williams Performing Artist Ms. Oprah Winfrey Stand Written by Donnie McClurkin Mr. Bebe Winans & Choir Mrs. Michelle Obama First Lady of the United States Dr. Serenus T. Churn, Sr. Mr. Guy Bailey Johnson, Son Mr. Brandon Bailey Johnson Great Grandson Remember Me Written by Ashford and Simpson Mrs. Valerie Ashford Simpson Performing Artist, Family Member Mr. Colin Ashanti Johnson, Grandson Been Found 1996 Recording, Dr. Maya Angelou with Ashford and Simpson A LI FE F U LLY LIV ED A LEGACY TO LIVE FOREVER Maya Angelou by Ross Rossin, 2013, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Andrew J. Young Foundation. ." ,taft nf ~nrl4 Qlarnlina PAT McCRORY GOVERNOR IN MEMORY OF MAYA ANGELOU 2014 BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA A PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished residents, Dr. Maya Angelou, who passed away in Winston-Salem on May 28, 2014; and WHEREJ\1), Marguerite Annie Johnson was born April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri; she spent most of her fonnative years in Arkansas, where she and her older brother were raised by their grandmother, but also spent time in California with her mother; she was nicknamed Maya by her brother; and WHEREAS, at the age of eight, Angelou was sexually assaulted by a boyfriend of her mother, who was convicted, sentenced to one day in jail and killed four days after his release; this horrific experience silenced Angelou for five years; it was also the impetus for her finding her voice in literature, social action and performance; and WHEREAS, Dr. Maya Angelou was a poet, civil rights activist, dancer, film and television producer, playwright, actress and professor, she may be best known for her book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, an autobiography of her childhood; and WHEREAS, Dr. Maya Angelou was a "Phenomenal" woman who touched many individuals through her writing, performance and teaching; she leaves a legacy of hope, determination and belief in oneself and abilities despite circumstance; and WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina recognizes Dr. Maya Angelou as a great North Carobnian and leader of our state; NOW, THEREFORE, I, PAT McCRORY, Governor ofthe State ofNorth Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 7, 2014, in memory and in honorof"MAYA ANGELOU" in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this third day of June in the year of our Lord two thousand and fourteen, and ofthe of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth. Governor