"I know Cookie would be thrilled to hear that she, once again, won the Best Drag Performer award, and it would have a special place on her shelf along with her Tony, Oscar, Grammy, VMA and latest Bloodwork from the CDC in Altanta," writes a representative for the local drag performer (and self-proclaimed "Irritainer") who not only won this category last year but also emceed the Xpress Best of WNC party.
"It is with great sadness (and a little relief) that I must tell you Miss LaRue passed away quietly in her mega-mansion earlier this month. Details are still a bit sketchy, as we are waiting on a coroner's report at this time, but it appears she died from either starvation or neglect. Oddly, no foul play is suspected.
"I recently received a phone call from Tori Spelling, who informed me that she had received more messages from the great beyond from Farrah Fawcett, who had been talking with Cookie, and she wanted all of her many tens of fans to know that she is happy, irritaining in heaven with so many greats (she and Toti Fields are having a ball!) and waiting for her beloved Andy Williams to join her."
Word is, a full obituary and information about a memorial service at Cookie's local bar, LaRue's Backdoor, will be coming in the next few weeks. (LaRue's associate Michael Sheldon is alive and well and pursuing other roles in the local theatre community.)
— Alli Marshall
