Mississippi author Ellen Douglas dies at 91

The Associated Press, Wednesday, November 7, 2012, 5:45pm (PST)

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Author Ellen Douglas has died at her home in Jackson, Miss. She was 91.

Douglas was the pen name of Josephine Haxton. Her Mississippi-set work deals with race relations, families and the role of women. Douglas' novel, "Apostles of Light," was a 1973 National Book Award nominee.

State Rep. Steve Holland is a funeral director handling arrangements, which are pending. He says Douglas died Wednesday after an extended illness caused by congestive heart failure. He says burial will be in her native Natchez, Miss.

Douglas grew up in Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana. She wrote 11 books, including six novels and several collections of short stories and essays.

Douglas won a lifetime achievement award in 2008 from the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters. She is survived by three children.