Poet Vivian Ayers, the mother of actresses Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad, passed away on Monday, August 18, just weeks after celebrating her 102nd birthday.
Allen paid tribute to Ayers on her Instagram page on Wednesday, August 20.
“Mommie you have transformed into that cosmic bird Hawk that lives and breathes Freedom,” she wrote, referencing one of her mother’s most famous works, her 1957 poem Hawk.
“We will follow your trail of golden dust and continue to climb higher. We promise ‘to be true be beautiful be Free,'” Allen added before including the names of her siblings and other family members.
Ayers was a celebrated poet and playwright. She is survived by four children.
Allen’s celebrity friends sent their condolences on social media.
“Sorry for your loss praying for your family,” Octavia Spencer wrote.
Storm Reid wrote, “Mrs Debbie I am sending you and your family a big hug filled with love and prayers.”
Taraji P. Henson wrote, “Rest well Queen.”
Actresses Yvette Nicole Brown and Tatyana Ali sent their love to the entire family.
On July 29, Allen shared a video celebrating her mom’s 102nd birthday.
“Yay, today is mommy’s 102nd birthday. What a blessing. What a blessing,” Allen said in the video.
She included a tribute video to Ayers’s work “Hawk,” created by Chloe Arnold.
“This will be the beginning of many things to come today. We’re celebrating all day today and probably forever,” Allen said.
