Patti Webster, publicist to stars, dies of cancer

NEW YORK (AP) — Patti Webster, a longtime publicist who represented stars including Usher, Janet Jackson, Chris Paul and Alicia Keys, died Friday. She was 49.

Webster was suffering from brain cancer. She died at a hospital in Somerville, N.J., her firm announced.

Webster founded W&W Public Relations in 1991. She represented celebrities in almost every field, including Halle Berry, Dwight Howard and Steve Harvey, and organizations including Creflo Dollar Ministries.

Magic Johnson was among those who tweeted condolences, calling her a “sensational publicist.”

Webster, whose parents were pastors, was an ordained minister. She wrote “It Happened in Church: Stories of Humor From the Pulpit to the Pews.”

She is survived by her father, two sisters, two brothers and other relatives.