National Obituaries

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Frankie Beverly, who with his band Maze inspired generations of fans with his smooth, soulful voice and lasting anthems including “Before I Let Go,” has died. He was 77.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Kevin Long, who played running back at South Carolina before getting drafted by the New York Jets, has died at age 69. The university said Long died Tuesday.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Kevin Long, who played running back at South Carolina before getting drafted by the New York Jets, has died at age 69. The university said Long died Tuesday.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Frankie Beverly, who with his band Maze inspired generations of fans with his smooth, soulful voice and lasting anthems including “Before I Let Go,” has died. He was 77.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Jim Sasser, who served 18 years in the U.S. Senate and six years as ambassador to China, has died. He was 87. Gray Sasser, his son, said his father died Tuesday evening at his home in Chapel Hill, N.C.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Jim Sasser, who served 18 years in the U.S. Senate and six years as ambassador to China, has died. He was 87. Gray Sasser, his son, said his father died Tuesday evening at his home in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Famous fans and collaborators are paying tribute to James Earl Jones, the award-winning actor and commanding voice of Darth Vader, who died Monday at 93. “James was an incredible actor, a most unique voice both in art and spirit.

NEW YORK (AP) — Tony Attanasio, a baseball agent since before the start of free agency whose clients ranged from Bobby Valentine to Ichiro Suzuki, has died. He was 84. Attanasio died Aug.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Edward B. Johnson, who as a CIA officer traveled into Iran with a colleague to rescue six American diplomats who fled the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover in Tehran, has died, the agency confirmed Monday. He was 81.

NEW YORK (AP) — James Earl Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen — eventually lending his deep, commanding voice to CNN, “The Lion King” and Darth Vader — has died. He was 93.