Notable deaths, May 2009

Obituaries

Here are a selection of notable deaths from Georgia, the nation and the world for May 2009.

Dolla: 1988 - May 18: Roderick Anthony Burton II, better known as his stage name Dolla, was an Atlanta-based rapper and former 'Sean John' model. He had signed with fellow musician Akon's Konvict Muzik label in May 2007. Dolla was traveling from Atlanta to Los Angeles when he was fatally shot in the head at the Beverly Center shopping mall. An outpouring of response to his death included a Muslim-style funeral at the Word of Faith Love Center in East Point. He was 21.

Dom DeLuise: Aug. 1, 1933 - May 4 --- A gifted comedian, actor, producer and eventually chef, DeLuise starred in films such as 'The Cannonball Run', 'Smokey and the Bandit' and 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas'. But his appearances in Mel Brooks film ('Blazing Saddles', 'Spaceballs' etc.) will always be his calling card. An avid cook, he transitioned into the culinary world with best-selling cookbooks and videos. He also authored several children's books. DeLuise died of kidney failure.

Martha Mason: May 31, 1937 - May 4 --- Mason was an accomplished author and a college graduate. And she lived more than 60 years with an iron lung, a 7-foot-long, 800-pound iron cylinder that encased all but her head. Paralyzed from the neck down as a result of childhood polio, the North Carolinian was endlessly curious and wanted to learn. She was transported by a bakery truck to classes and lectures and eventually acquired a voice-activated computer that allowed her to write her memoirs.

Wayman Tisdale: June 9, 1964 - May 15 --- Tisdale was a three-time All American in basketball at the University of Oklahoma and a 12-year veteran of the NBA who later became an acclaimed jazz musician. In August 2008, Tisdale had part of his right leg amputated because of bone cancer. He felt it was the best way to ensure the cancer would not return. Shortly after the operation, he was fitted for a prosthesis. He died in his hometown of Tulsa. It's not known if cancer was the cause.

Maria Amelia Lopez: Dec. 23, 1911 - May 20 --- Until her death, Lopez was known as the world's oldest-known woman blogger. A gift from her grandson, the Spanish great-grandmother's blog gained a global following on the Internet with her mix of humor and nostalgia. After media reports, her blog quickly soared in popularity with more than 1.5 million hits. Her posts touched on personal health problems, from trips to the doctor to bouts of dizziness, to her opinion on current events.

Jack Kemp: July 13, 1935 - May 2: Kemp was a Republican politician who served as Housing Secretary under President George H.W. Bush from 1989-93 and was the GOP's nominee for Vice President in the 1996 election, as the running-mate of presidential nominee Bob Dole. Before politics, he was a professional quarterback for 13 years and was captain for the San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills and earned the AFL MVP award in 1965. Kemp died of cancer.

Carole C. Noon: July 14, 1949 - May 2 --- A primatologist, Noon will be best known as the founder for 'Save the Chimps'. A non-profit sanctuary in Florida, 'Save the Chimps' provides a kind of retirement home for chimpanzees rescued from research, entertainment business or those sold as pets. Noon was inspired by Dr. Jane Goodall, the world-renown doctor who studied chimps in Tanzania for four decades. Noon died of pancreatic cancer.

Marilyn French: Nov. 1, 1929 - May 2 --- A writer and feminist activist, French's most popular work was the 1977 novel 'The Women's Room,' a housewife's journey of self-discovery following her 1950s divorce. It sold more than 20 million copies and was translated into 20 languages. A longtime smoker, she was given a death sentence in 1992 and chronicled her winning battle against esophageal cancer, which included a 10-day coma, in 'Season in Hell: A Memorir'. French died of heart failure.

Millvina Dean: Feb. 2, 1912 - May 31 --- Dean was the last remaining survivor of the Titanic. The youngest of the ship's 705 survivors, Dean was only 9 weeks old when the Titanic hit an iceberg in waters off Newfoundland on the night of April 14, 1912. She survived with her mother and 2-year-old brother, while her father died. She never married and spent her working life as an assistant and secretary in small businesses near London. She died of pneumonia.

Mickey Carroll: July 8, 1919 - May 7: Carroll was an actor who was one of the last surviving munchkins from the 1939 film 'The Wizard of Oz'. Originally from St. Louis, he moved to Hollywood and began acting in the 'Our Gang' series. Rumors say he went to school with Judy Garland while working for MGM, and she offered him the part of 'Town Crier' in the celebrated film. It was his only film, and he returned to his hometown eventually appearing at charitable, retail and Oz-related events.

Roh Moo-Hyun: Aug. 6, 1946 - May 23 --- Roh was the 16th President of South Korea. His election heralded the arrival of power for Koreans called 386 Generation - the equivalent to the U.S. 'Generation X.' They advocated an assertive approach toward America and Japan and a conciliatory approach towards North Korea. However, Roh's administration became dogged by allegations of incompetence. A year after his term was over, Roh committed suicide by jumping from a mountain cliff.

1/11

Dolla: 1988 - May 18: Roderick Anthony Burton II, better known as his stage name Dolla, was an Atlanta-based rapper and former 'Sean John' model. He had signed with fellow musician Akon's Konvict Muzik label in May 2007. Dolla was traveling from Atlanta to Los Angeles when he was fatally shot in the head at the Beverly Center shopping mall. An outpouring of response to his death included a Muslim-style funeral at the Word of Faith Love Center in East Point. He was 21.

Today's Gallery Headlines

NYE revelers ring in 2026 watching Digital Drone Peach in the Sky

PHOTOS: Atlanta welcomes 2026 with fireworks, drone show

56m ago

PHOTOS: The final print run of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

PHOTOS: Sugar Bowl Parade

Alerts

PHOTOS: Atlanta welcomes 2026 with fireworks, drone show

PHOTOS: The final print run of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

PHOTOS: Sugar Bowl Parade

Photos: Georgia football players, coaches during Sugar Bowl team media day