Gone But Not Forgotten: 10 People We Lost In 2010

In 2010 the world lost a myriad of people; some activists, some singers and some actors whose legacies will continue will on for years to come. Before we rake in a new year, HipHopWired would like to take a moment to reflect on ten people who passed much too soon before we could celebrate another year of their lives. Gone but not forgotten, here are ten people we lost this year.

David Mills- An Emmy winning television writer for “NYPD Blue”, “Homicide” and the acclaimed HBO Series “The Wire” passed away this year at the age of 48.

A spokesperson for HBO confirmed that he died of a brain aneurysm while on the set of the series “Treme.”

Teena Marie– The singer known for her soulful hits “Lovergirl”, “Square Biz” and her legendary duet with Rick James passed at the age of 54 December 26.

Marie was found by her daughter and believed to die of natural causes.

Dorothy Height– Civil rights pioneer and the longtime head of the National Council For Negro Women Dorothy Height passed away April 20 at 98.

The NCNW made the announcement this morning confirming that their former leader died of natural causes.

She was a dedicated member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Solomon Burke– Soul singer Solomon Burke died October 10 in  Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.  The 70-year-old singer reportedly died of natural causes and was flying to The Netherlands with the band De Dijk to perform.

Gary Coleman– The 42-year old actor and child star of the classic sitcom Diff’rent Strokes slipped into a coma and was on life support after suffering an intracranial hemorrhage. Gary was pulled off life support with his wife Shannon Price by his side May 28.

Elizabeth Edwards– Elizabeth Edwards, the embattled wife of U.S. Senator John Edwards, died Decemeber 7.

The 61-year-old lost her battle with breast cancer after doctors determined that her cancer had spread and recommended that she cease treatment and spend the rest of her time with family and close friends.

Benjamin Hooks-Benjamin Hooks the longtime Civil rights leader and the former executive director of the NAACP passed away on April 15.

State Rep. Ulysses Jones wh told news outlets that  leader died following a long illness.

He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush in 2007 and helped the NAACP create an initiative to expand employment opportunities for blacks in Major League Baseball.

Teddy Pendergrass-Teddy Pendergrass’ son Teddy Pendergrass II confirmed that the singer/songwriter died January 13.

The son of the  “Love TKO” singer  told the Associated Press that his father passed trying to recover from colon cancer surgery.

He was 59-years-old.

Leslie Neielsen- Legendary actor and comedian Leslie Neilsen died November 28  at 84-years-old.  A rep for Neilsen confirmed his passing citing complications from pneumonia.

The actor reportedly passed surrounded by his wife and friends.

He was best known for his roles in “Airplane” and the “Naked Gun” series.

Manute Bol-The 7-feet-6 inch basketball player from Sudan passed June 19 from severe kidney trouble and complications of a rare skin disorder known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Bol was praised for being one of the best shot blockers in NBA history and his role as an activist for Sudanese refugees.