My sincere condolences go out to Tyler Perry and his family on the loss of his mother, Mrs. Willie Maxine Perry. Perry announced the sad news via his Web site Tuesday, December 8th where he thanked fans for they’re prayers and well wishes.

According to Access Atlanta, Perry sent out posts on his FaceBook and Twitter pages late Tuesday morning, directing fans and followers to his Web site saying, “I just sent out an email that I?d like to share with you. Please check it out.” The announcement turned out to be a prayer request for his ailing mother who had been sick since late August. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Maxine Perry was a pre-school teacher who worked at the New Orleans Jewish Community Center most of her life. Perry, 40, is said to have gotten inspiration from his mother, as well as his aunt, for his popular “Madea” character.

“In Loving Memory. Willie Maxine Perry. February 12, 1945 to December 8, 2009″