tajma hall
photo credit // continental pageantry system
Jim Flint: 'We have lost a very talented individual.'
Chicago, IL -
Worldwide entertainer Lady Tajma Hall has died, according to a statement from the Continental Pageantry System.
"With great sadness and a heavy heart we wish to inform everyone of the passing of Tajma Hall. Forever now in the arms of Our Lord, this day - April 19, 2014," read a short statement on their Facebook page.
Hall was actively involved with the Continental Pageantry System, where she served as the emcee for the annual Continental Pageant Plus and Elite.
"We have lost a very talented individual," Jim Flint, The Baton owner and founder of the Continental Pageantry System, told ChicagoPride.com on April 19. "I have lost a very very good and devoted friend."
The voluptuous performer won four prestigious pageants around the world, including Miss Continental Plus in 2007 and Miss Gay USofA At Large in 2008.
After moving to Chicago from Fayetteville, North Carolina, Hall, born K.B. Watkins, became active in Chicago's LGBT community, where she was a beloved emcee and performer for clubs and benefits. She hosted the popular Hy-Drag Revue, Boystown's longest running drag review, at Hydrate Nightclub.
"I'm at a complete loss for words at the moment," Hydrate general manager Sean Kotwa said. "Not only did I lose a friend, a drag mother, but the world has lost an incomparable drag performer this morning way to soon."
Hydrate hosted a benefit show for Hall on April 11 after she had undergone back surgery in March. Hall was still in physical therapy at Evanston Hospital, where friends told ChicagoPride.com she was recuperating quickly and remained in good spirits.
Tajma Hall died Saturday morning, April 19, of cardiac arrest at Evanston Hospital. She was 44 years old.
In a Facebook post on March 22 Hall wrote, "Many thanks for those of you who have been able to help out in my time of need. This has been an emotional journey and I appreciate you taking it with me! I love you! May God continue to bless you all!"
Update: Funeral Services for The Lady Tajma Hall (KB Watkins) will be on Saturday May 3, 2014, 1 p.m. at Mt Zion United Church of Christ, 986 Ledbetter Rd, Rockingham, North Carolina.
Chicago in solidarity with Raleigh N.C. will be hosting Celebration of Life services on Saturday, May 31, 2014. Details, including venue and time, for Chicago are still being worked on and should be published soon.
Community on Tajma Hall:
"I have no words. My heart is broken. Beloved Icon and Queen," Precious Davis, Youth Outreach Coordinator at Center on Halsted, wrote on Facebook.
"Tajma Hall, I will be forever grateful for the laughs and memories we shared over our many years in Chicago together, and I am deeply sorry that those years were cut too short for such a wonderful woman. With love now and eternally," DJ Phil DaBeatz on Facebook.
"Shocked and saddened to hear the news of the passing of Lady Tajma Hall. She was one of the kindest and sweetest people to be around," Bill Gubrud, Executive Director of the National Gay & Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame, shared on Facebook.
"Rest in Power Lady Tajma Hall. Thank you for gracing us with your talent and for guiding so many into the spotlight of life," LGBT activist Emmanuel Garcia on Facebook.
"Sitting here going through hundreds and hundreds of photos in the archives of Lady Tajma Hall and the tears are getting heavier and heavier. I simply cannot believe this," Nightspots editor Kirk Williamson on Facebook.
"With great sadness and a heavy heart we wish to inform everyone of the passing of Tajma Hall. Forever now in the arms of Our Lord, this day - April 19, 2014," read a short statement on their Facebook page.
Hall was actively involved with the Continental Pageantry System, where she served as the emcee for the annual Continental Pageant Plus and Elite.
"We have lost a very talented individual," Jim Flint, The Baton owner and founder of the Continental Pageantry System, told ChicagoPride.com on April 19. "I have lost a very very good and devoted friend."
The voluptuous performer won four prestigious pageants around the world, including Miss Continental Plus in 2007 and Miss Gay USofA At Large in 2008.
After moving to Chicago from Fayetteville, North Carolina, Hall, born K.B. Watkins, became active in Chicago's LGBT community, where she was a beloved emcee and performer for clubs and benefits. She hosted the popular Hy-Drag Revue, Boystown's longest running drag review, at Hydrate Nightclub.
"I'm at a complete loss for words at the moment," Hydrate general manager Sean Kotwa said. "Not only did I lose a friend, a drag mother, but the world has lost an incomparable drag performer this morning way to soon."
Hydrate hosted a benefit show for Hall on April 11 after she had undergone back surgery in March. Hall was still in physical therapy at Evanston Hospital, where friends told ChicagoPride.com she was recuperating quickly and remained in good spirits.
Tajma Hall died Saturday morning, April 19, of cardiac arrest at Evanston Hospital. She was 44 years old.
In a Facebook post on March 22 Hall wrote, "Many thanks for those of you who have been able to help out in my time of need. This has been an emotional journey and I appreciate you taking it with me! I love you! May God continue to bless you all!"
Update: Funeral Services for The Lady Tajma Hall (KB Watkins) will be on Saturday May 3, 2014, 1 p.m. at Mt Zion United Church of Christ, 986 Ledbetter Rd, Rockingham, North Carolina.
Chicago in solidarity with Raleigh N.C. will be hosting Celebration of Life services on Saturday, May 31, 2014. Details, including venue and time, for Chicago are still being worked on and should be published soon.
Community on Tajma Hall:
"I have no words. My heart is broken. Beloved Icon and Queen," Precious Davis, Youth Outreach Coordinator at Center on Halsted, wrote on Facebook.
"Tajma Hall, I will be forever grateful for the laughs and memories we shared over our many years in Chicago together, and I am deeply sorry that those years were cut too short for such a wonderful woman. With love now and eternally," DJ Phil DaBeatz on Facebook.
"Shocked and saddened to hear the news of the passing of Lady Tajma Hall. She was one of the kindest and sweetest people to be around," Bill Gubrud, Executive Director of the National Gay & Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame, shared on Facebook.
"Rest in Power Lady Tajma Hall. Thank you for gracing us with your talent and for guiding so many into the spotlight of life," LGBT activist Emmanuel Garcia on Facebook.
"Sitting here going through hundreds and hundreds of photos in the archives of Lady Tajma Hall and the tears are getting heavier and heavier. I simply cannot believe this," Nightspots editor Kirk Williamson on Facebook.
