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Are the real-life characters from The Six Triple Eight still alive? Explained 

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Tyler Perry's latest Netflix venture The Six Triple Eight is inspired by Kevin M. Hymel's 2019 article, Fighting a Two-Front War, published in WWII History magazine. The film was released for streaming on Netflix on December 20, 2024.

The Six Triple Eight tells how the brave women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, took on an impossible mission for their country and delivered. As of 2024, all the real-life characters depicted in the film have passed away.

The film stars Kerry Washington, Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson, Gregg Sulkin, Susan Sarandon, Dean Norris, Sam Waterston, Shanice Shantay, Sarah Jeffery, Pepi Sonuga, Moriah Brown, and Oprah Winfrey in prominent roles. It was released in selected cinemas across the United States on December 6, 2024.

The real-life characters from The Six Triple Eight have all passed away

The film depicts many real-life characters who served in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during World War II. Some of these characters include, Major Charity Adams Earley (played by Kerry Washington), Lena Derriecott King (portrayed by Ebony Obsidian), and Captain Abbie Noel Campbell (played by Milauna Jackson).

All the real-life characters depicted in the film had passed away by the film's release date. However, Lena Derriecott King, who died on January 18, 2024, did get to see a rough cut of the film. Barker Johnson died in August 2019. Both King and Johnson lived till the age of 100.

Major Charity Adams Earley resigned after the mission and pursued a master’s degree from Ohio State University. She worked for various state institutions such as the Veterans Administration in Cleveland, and the American Red Cross, and founded Dayton’s Black Leadership Development Group in 1982. She is the first Black woman in history to have a fort named after her.

Only two members of the battalion were alive as of December 2024, Fannie McClendon and Anna Mae Robertson. However, they are not part of the film's narrative as the film mainly focuses on the aforementioned characters.

About The Six Triple Eight

The film tells the inspiring story of the women who served in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during World War II. The battalion's job was to sort and deliver neglected letters to American soldiers fighting in Europe.

The women, overcoming their personal and social struggles, including racism and sexism, at home and abroad, played a prominent role during the war by clearing the massive backlog of undelivered mail, boosting the morale of troops fighting in Europe.

The Six Triple Eight is streaming on Netflix exclusively. Here's how the streaming platform describes the plot:

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"During World War II, the only US Women's Army Corps unit of color stationed overseas takes on an impossible mission in Tyler Perry's drama based on a true story."

Who is in the cast of The Six Triple Eight?

Below is the complete list of cast members and the roles they are playing:

Stay tuned for more news and updates about The Six Triple Eight, and other films and TV shows as the year draws to a close.

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