A Piece of Mine author J. California Cooper has died.
The 82-year-old playwright passed away peacefully, surrounded by family members by her side in Seattle on Sunday. Her daughter Paris Williams was there when she died.
Best known for her short stories and plays, Cooper authored six short story collections and 17 plays. After moving from California to Seattle, the Berkley-native continued to write, while spending quality time with her family.
Strangers (which won Cooper the 1978 Black Playwright Award), A Piece of Mine and Homemade Love (winner of the 1989 American Book Award) are just a few of her memorable titles.
Funeral details have yet to be released.
Our condolences to her family.