Beloved DJ and podcaster dies of cancer at just 53

Tammie Holland, a well-known radio personality, podcast host, and DJ, died of colon cancer at age 53 on Saturday.

The Emmy-nominated on-air veteran from St. Louis was a leading voice on FOXY 106.9 FM's first all-black female radio show, 'The Real Breakfast Crew.'  A trailblazer for African American woman in radio, she also hosted the podcast 'This Week with Tammie Holland.'

The comedian and actress was first diagnosed with colon cancer in 2021, and was open about her then-ongoing battle. Holland was on-air just weeks before her passing, and announced she would receive hospice care after her stage IV colon cancer had spread to her lungs and her brain.

During her own treatment, Holland was dedicated to the community, involving herself in fundraisers and helping other people who were battling cancer themselves, Don Williams, aka DJ Wrekk 1, program director for Foxy 106.9 FM, told Fox2Now. 

A two hour tribute was held for her on Monday, where listeners called in and shared their favorite memories of Holland. 

Tammie Holland (right), a well-known radio personality, podcast host, and DJ, died of colon cancer at age 53 on Saturday

The Emmy-nominated on-air veteran from St. Louis was a leading voice on FOXY 106.9 FM's first all-Black female radio show, 'The Real Breakfast Crew.' A trailblazer for African American woman in radio, she also hosted the podcast 'This Week with Tammie Holland'

On and off the air, Holland was a social justice advocate who went out of her way to help her community, especially protesting against police brutality. 

Notably, she amplified the Ferguson unrest in 2014 by sharing a powerful image of Michael Brown's father and securing an early interview with his mother.

Holland said she wouldn't let her cancer diagnosis stop her from living the remainder of her life.

'Very early on, I stopped saying, 'Why me?' Holland told The St. Louis American in January. 'It's like, 'Why not me?' My cancer has caused me to live life with more intention – to live life on purpose.'

Holland's co-hosts, coworkers and the radio station she loved so much have expressed their love, grief and admiration.

'Tammie's remarkable legacy in the radio industry spans over three decades, and her impact on the city of St. Louis will be deeply felt,' Foxy 106.9 FM said in a statement.

'Tammie was a cherished fixture on Foxy 106.9. She was known for her warm smile, contagious laughter and genuine enthusiasm for life.'   

'She opened doors for a lot of people,' Holland's radio co-host Aretha 'Lady Re' Richardson told local NBC affiliate KSDK.

The comedian and actress was first diagnosed with colon cancer in 2021, and was open about her then-ongoing battle

Holland was on-air just weeks before her death and announced she would receive hospice care after her stage IV colon cancer had spread to her lungs and her brain

'Tammie really played a big role - I'm not going to cry, but she really played a big role in a lot of things that people don't even know about.'

'She has this infectious laugh and everybody loves it,' her co-host, Mz. Sinita, said. 'Just the sound of that voice and that laugh and then she would always bust out in some harmonic song or something on the microphone.'

'Just seeing these last few days and Tammie on this journey these last few years, I just know she'll be remembered as a beautiful spirit that touched so many,' Tonee Roper, an on-air personality at Foxy 106.9 FM, told Fox2Now. 

'And her charity work on air, sharing her journey, inspiring all through hard times. We will all remember that.'

Her funeral is planned for Tuesday, July 23.