NEWS ALERT: Publicist Patti Webster Has Died at 49

She has been widely recognized as one of the most influential and successful publicists, having represented some of the best-known entertainers in the nation.

And so, the death of Patti Webster at age 49 of cancer in Somerville, New Jersey, has drawn a huge outpouring of emotion from the artists, athletes and ministers whom she represented over the years as well as tributes from the industry where she made a huge name for herself.

“Just got the devastating news that my publicist Patti Webster passed away this morning,” tweeted gospel recording artist James Fortune. “My thoughts & prayers are with the family!”

Similarly, Holly Robinson Peete, who worked with the powerful publicist, offered a tribute and tweeted: 

Completely devastated at the loss of Patti Webster She was my publicist, mentor, trusted confidante I LOVE YOU #withGodNow @PursuingGod
— Holly Robinson Peete (@hollyrpeete) September 13, 2013

Magic Johnson was among those who tweeted condolences, calling her a "sensational publicist." 

Go here for a full list of celebrity tweets.

The client list of her W&W Public Relations firm was a veritable who’s who of the entertainment and sports industries. It included Halle Berry, Bow Wow, Creflo Dollar Ministries, Steve Harvey, Usher, Chris Paul, Alicia Keys and Janet Jackson.

Her firm was established in 1991 with a vision to have a public relations agency that could cross-promote its clients across all types of media and in all genres, including music, film, television, sports, corporate entertainment and religion.

Prior to starting W&W, Webster worked for the New York office of Rogers & Cowan Public Relations. For three years, she worked on a variety of music and corporate entertainment accounts, including Quincy Jones' Qwest Records, Stevie Wonder, Julio Iglesias, Gloria Estefan, Paula Abdul, Celine Dion and B.B. King.

Webster’s passion for public relations was secondary to her faith. She was a deaconess at Shiloh Pentecostal Church in Somerville, New Jersey, where her father, Rev. Sidney J. Webster, serves as pastor. She became an ordained minister in November 2011. In 2008, she wrote a book about uplifting stories about church and God called It Happened in Church: Stories of Humor From the Pulpit to the Pews.

Webster was a professed NBA junkie and enjoyed international travel, reading, attending NBA games and playing all types of games.

She is survived by her father, Rev. Sidney Webster, two sisters, Lori McNeil and Michelle Green, two brothers, Scott Webster and Peter Webster, and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Pastor Patricia Webster.

Services will be announced soon.

Culled from BET.com

(Photo Credit: W&W Public Relations)

SPECIAL FEATURE: Tameka Raymond Speaks Out About Son's Pool Accident

Tameka Raymond has broken her silence about the pool accident that nearly killed her 5-year-old son and her custody battle with ex-husband Usher.

The stylist appeared on Good Morning America on Wednesday and said she is "angry [the incident] happened on his watch," but doesn't blame her ex for it. "While accidents happen, never have my children been injured on my watch," she adds.

Of course, Tameka is all too familiar with tragic accidents. Her 11-year-old son Kyle Glover was killed after colliding with a jet ski last year. Now, she explains that getting the call that her five-year-old Usher Raymond V was in grave danger gave her an unsettling flashback. "I was at a dental appointment, and [Usher] doesn't call me regularly, so when I saw his number come up, I immediately jumped up," she recalls. "It was like I relived [Kyle's accident]. My brain just went into all those modes," she says. "I even said on the phone, 'I've had this call before.'"

Usher Raymond V was released on August 13 looking happy and healthy after spending a week in the ICU. Within days of the accident, Usher and Tameka were back in court fighting over custody of the boys (the former couple also have a younger son, Naviyd). Tameka requested an emergency hearing asking for primary custody of the boys, accusing Usher of being "gone 85% of the time" and leaving the boys in the care of unqualified relatives and nannies.

"I'd like to have my first right of refusal, which means when he is not present, the kids come home to their mom," Tameka told GMA of what she hopes to accomplish in their ongoing custody battle. "They don't stay home with the nanny and watch whatever show he's on. They come home to their mother." She added that she learned of her younger son losing his first tooth on Instagram. "I'm missing stuff."

Tameka lost her bid to gain primary custody of her boys last week, but appeared to be on civil terms with Usher. The pair exchanged a hug after the hearing and Tameka tells GMA that she doesn't hate her ex. "Absolutely not, no. That's the father of my children, and I love my kids more than life itself."

courtesy Evelyn Diaz for BET.com