Southern Author Tina McElroy Ansa Dies at 74

Source: Crossroads Writers Conference & Literary Festival

Beloved southern author Tina McElroy Ansa, best known for her works inspired by being raised in the South, has died at age 74.

According to Glynn County Coroner Marc Neu, Ansa died on Tuesday (Sept. 10) at age 74, 12 WMAZ reports. The Macon, Georgia native was revered in literary circles not only as a renowned author and writer but also for her work as a journalist, specifically at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Per her online biography, Ansa considered herself part of “a writing tradition, one of those little southern girls who always knew she wanted to tell stories.”

A native of Middle Georgia, she grew up in the 1950s and used her father’s juke joint as the catalyst for her storytelling. She was often inspired by her grandfather and other strangers who frequented the establishment.

As a graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, Ansa enjoyed giving back to her fellow sister, with whom she shared a love of storytelling as the founder and publisher of DownSouth Press, the independent publishing company she launched in 2007 to promote American fiction and non-fiction literature.

Her roommate turned “sister-friend” took to social media to honor Ansa and share the news of her passing with the world.

“Tina was an award-winning novelist, journalist, writing doula, supporter of the vast number of her ‘good lil schoolgirls,’ founder of the Sea Island Writers Retreat, publisher of DownSouth Press, storyteller, public speaker, podcaster, an editor and an avid gardener,” wrote Wanda Lloyd.

Lloyd added, “She was a leader in the writing community and a friend to more people than we can possibly imagine.”

As a novelist, Ansa published more than ten books, including Baby of the Family, which former First Lady Michelle Obama quoted during her 2011 commencement speech at Ansa’s alma mater, Spelman, mentioned above.

Her other works include Ugly Ways, The Hand I Fan With, You Know Better, and many others. In 2008, alongside her late husband, fellow creative and award-winning filmmaker Joneè, Baby of the Family was adapted into a feature film. He died in 2020.

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