Maxine Powell, Motown etiquette director, has died

Maxine Powell, the woman who developed the charm and style of Motown's biggest artists, died on Monday.

Powell directed Motown's Finishing School and taught artists -  like The Jackson Five, The Supremes and Smokey Robinson - how to speak, dress and treat their fans.

"She brought something to Motown that no other record company had," Motown founder Berry Gordy said. "She was a star in her own right -- an original. She will always be remembered for her style and class, and she instilled that into Motown artists by teaching them how to walk , talk and even think with class."

Powell was honored by Gordy and former Motown artists at the record label's museum in August.

"It didn't matter who you became during the course of your career -- how many hits you had , how well your name was known around the world,"  Smokey Robinson said. "Two days a week when you were back in Detroit you had to go artists' development. It was mandatory."

In August, Powell said that she would 'teach until there's no breath left in my body.'

She was 98.

(Source)