Entertainment mogul Tyler Perry is mourning the sudden loss of his mother.
 
Tyler announced on his Web site that his mom, Willie Maxine Perry, passed away on Tuesday. She was 64 years old at the time of her death, but he didn’t mention anything about the cause of her death.
 
The movie producer, who thanked fans for their prayers, credits his mother as being the basis for his wildly popular character Madea, whose hair trigger temper is coupled with wisdom and wit.
 
The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reports that Willie was a pre-school teacher who taught at the New Orleans Jewish Community Center for most of her career.   
 
Tyler is throwing a party for his cast members tonight, but there is no word on whether he will attend the event at this time.

-- Sonya Eskridge

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