Tina McElroy Ansa, an acclaimed novelist, journalist, and filmmaker known for her evocative portrayals of Black Southern life, died on Tuesday, September 11, 2024 at the age of 77, according to 13WMAZ.

Ansa’s work, which spanned over four decades, was celebrated for its rich depictions of African-American culture, its exploration of the supernatural, and its deeply personal portrayal of the experiences of Black women in the American South.

A graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta, Ansa initially worked as a journalist, becoming one of the first Black women to work as a reporter at The Atlanta Constitution. Her keen eye for detail and deep understanding of race relations and Southern identity provided a foundation for her later work as a novelist.

Ansa rose to national prominence with the publication of her debut novel, Baby of the Family (1989), a groundbreaking work that blended Southern folklore with the supernatural. The novel tells the story of Lena McPherson, a young girl born with a caul that gives her the ability to see spirits, and it was hailed for its vivid depiction of Black Southern life and its exploration of spirituality and identity. The novel won widespread acclaim and is often cited as a significant contribution to the Southern Gothic tradition.

Her subsequent novels—Ugly Ways (1993), The Hand I Fan With (1996), You Know Better (2002), and Taking After Mudear (2007)—continued to explore similar themes, often focusing on the complex relationships between Black women, the supernatural, and the Southern community that shaped them. Ugly Ways, in particular, was praised for its exploration of the generational impact of trauma and its depiction of a mother-daughter relationship that resonated with readers.

In 2007, Ansa founded DownSouth Press, her own independent publishing company, dedicated to promoting the work of African-American authors. Her contributions to the literary world extended beyond her novels, as she mentored aspiring writers and frequently taught creative writing at institutions such as Spelman College.

Ansa is survived by her husband, Jonée Ansa, a filmmaker and writer, with whom she lived on St. Simons Island, Georgia. The island, with its deep ties to Gullah culture, was a source of inspiration for much of her work, particularly her exploration of spirituality and folklore.