Harper Lee author of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' dies aged 89. (Photo : YouTube/Telegraph)
It seems to be an end of a glorious era as the legendary author and creator of the epic book "To Kill A Mockingbird," Harper Lee, was laid to rest in a private ceremony in the small Alabama town of Monroeville. She died on Feb. 19, Friday, at the age of 89.
The late author was living at the Monroeville assisted living facility owing to her declining health. A statement from her family members confirmed that she had died in her sleep, BBC reported.
The pomp-less ceremony was attended by a few dozen people who comprised of Lee's intimate circle. A longtime friend, Wayne Flynt, eulogized her in a ceremony held at First United Methodist Church, as wished by Lee herself years ago. It was the same speech that Flynt reportedly gave in 2006 when she won the Birmingham Pledge Foundation Award for racial justice after which she liked the speech so much that she wanted him to give the same as her eulogy.
Later, the late author's casket was taken by silver hearse to an adjacent cemetery where her other departed family members, including her parents, AC Lee and Frances Finch Lee, and sister, Alice Lee, are buried. Jackie Stovall, Harper's cousin, later confided in The Guardian to reveal that it was the late author's wish to have a quiet funeral without any pomp or fanfare. She was known for leading a private life, away from the media spotlight and famously had not given any interviews since 1964.
Born and brought up in Monroeville, the late author's real name was Nelle, while Harper was actually her pen name. While studying in high school, she developed an interest in English literature and went on to pursue the same in Huntingdon College followed by a short stay in University Of Alabama. However, she did not complete a degree.
Harper's debut novel came out in 1960. The book turned out to be an instant hit, winning great critical acclaim, including the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1961.
The book went on to become a classic of modern American literature as it was one of the most widely read books dealing with racial inequality and rape. The late author's second and last book "Go Set A Watchman" came out in 2015 and was also a bestseller.
Watch the video of the late author below receiving honorary degree in 2006:
