Pioneer for Women and Blacks in the Entertainment Business, Fayrene Treadwell, Dies at 84

The entertainment pioneer passed away after a lengthy illness, according to her daughter, Tina Treadwell, president of Treadwell Entertainment and former VP of Talent and Music Specials at Disney Channel.

After
the death of her husband George Treadwell, the legendary manager of the
late Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, Ruth Brown, Billie Holiday, and
Sammy Davis, Jr, Faye Treadwell bought out her late husband’s former business partners and assumed management and control of The Drifters. The
historic deal ultimately resulted in Faye Treadwell becoming one of a
handful of women entertainment manager’s in the late 1960’s, and one of
the first Black female managers.  

Faye Treadwell was
not only a tenacious manager, but a steadfast trailblazer with a keen
legal mind. Her successful civil action suit to protect the integrity of
The Drifters trademark from unauthorized use in
commerce set a precedent in the field of trademark and intellectual
property law, and generated lively debate and reflection among leading
experts all along the way.

According to Tina Treadwell, one of the highlights of her mother’s illustrious career was when Faye Treadwell and The Drifters were invited to the White House to perform at a special event during Bill Clinton’s first term.

Although she made her home in Englewood, NJ, Faye Treadwell traveled the world with The Drifters and was primarily based in London, England for over 30 years where she hosted an annual Thanksgiving Party for Americans living abroad.

Fayrene Lavern Treadwell
was born on September 5, 1926 in Okolona, AR to the late Rev. James A.
Johnson and her surviving 107-year-old mother, Mrs. Sara Mae Johnson (a
school teacher). She graduated from Arkansas Baptist College in Little
Rock, AR.

In addition to her daughter Tina, Faye Treadwell is survived by her 107-year-old mother, Mrs. Sara Mae Johnson; sisters
Imogene Azora and Saundra Arterberry; Godsister Ruth Stokes; Godson
Adrian Parasram; nephews Cornell Arterberry, Crandell Arterberry and
Reggie Lester; step-daughter Merle Treadwell; and faithful caregivers
Betty Williams, Linette Akin-Folarin, and Digna Torres; along with many
relatives and many friends worldwide.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation in Faye Treadwell’s name with one of the following three charities: The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation www.komen.org, The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America www.alzfdn.org, or The Rhythm & Blues Foundation www.rhythm-n-blues.org. Funeral services will be held in Pasadena, CA and Englewood, NJ. For funeral information visit woodsvalentinemortuary.com.