Friday, September 9, 2016

Friday September 9, 2016 - R.I.P. Lady Chablis

I never met her but I knew her. I started visiting Savannah (3.5 hr drive from Atlanta) in 1981 as a day trip during my weekly stay in my Hilton Head timeshare. Hilton Head is about 30 miles north of Savannah. I bought the new vacation property at 25, after I graduated from Georgia State University with an MBA and started teaching.

I have always had a love-hate relationship with Savannah because its a beautiful city build on the cotton industry during slavery. But I have come to understand the history of it (good and bad) and the wealth that created blocks and blocks of mansions and beautiful streets capes. As an appraiser, I have appraised many properties in Savannah, over the past 30 years.

Savannah has grown into a nice Metro town with a revitalized Downtown that includes a Martha Stewart's restaurant, SCAD and is a major tourist town.I have even though of retiring there.

Lady Chablis was part of that because of the book and movie (trailer), Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

In both 1994 and again in 1996., I spent my weekly timeshare as Susan. Both times I visited Club One, which hosted Lady Chablis. I did not get to see her show, but she was well-know before the book and movie which made her a national star.

For me, I was always proud to see her success because she was an African- American transwoman who caved out a successful life.

Below are a video and story about her. She will be missed.



The Lady Chablis, Sassy Eccentric in 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,' Dies at 59


2 comments:

  1. Is my memory correct that Savannah considers itself the "Most Haunted" city in America. It is truly a beautiful and historic place and although I have not been there too often the people always seemed to exude genuine southern charm and hospitality.
    Pat

    ReplyDelete
  2. We've lost two icons in a month with the death of Diamond Lil and The Lady Chablis. I was fortunate to be introduced to Diamond Lil a few months ago by my therapist. Lil also started out in Savannah entertaining on ships before moving to Atlanta and later influencing Jayne County, Ru Paul and Lady Bunny. They both will be missed.

    ReplyDelete