Source: John Lamparski / Getty

Voletta Wallace, the mother of late hip-hop star Notorious B.I.G., has passed away. She was 72.

TMZ reports Wallace died of natural causes Friday morning in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. She was reportedly in hospice care at the time of her passing.

Voletta spent much of her life carrying on her son’s legacy after his passing in 1997. She often conveyed how important it was to tell his story on the big screen, culminating in the Notorious movie premiere in 2009.

A few notable Voletta Wallace accomplishments include:

• Establishing the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation: This foundation provides educational materials to schools in need 
• Co-authoring Biggie: The Life of Notorious B.I.G.: This book offers an intimate look into her son’s life 
• Founding Notorious B.I.G. Inc.: This business developed merchandise lines and managed Biggie’s posthumous releases

Voletta Wallace, a former teacher, taught at Brooklyn Head Start, Congregation Beth Eloaheim, and The YMCA of Greater New York.

Notorious B.I.G., real name Christopher Wallace, was fatally shot in 1997.

Our deepest condolences go out to Voletta Wallace’s family, friends, and loved ones.

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