Cedella Marley Booker, mother of reggae icon Bob Marley , passed away in her Miami home on Tuesday. She was 81 years old and died of natural causes after a long illness.

Affectionately known as "Mother Booker," she will be missed by her family and the South Florida community where she was active in various charities. She wrote two books about her son Bob Marley and released two of her own albums: "Awake Zion" and "Smilin' Island of Song." She also performed onstage with her grandchildren from time to time.

Mother Booker was born in Jamaica . At age 18, she married Norval Marley, a 50-year-old British man. Their son Bob became the godfather of reggae music, with countless hits that led to an international reggae audience and community that continues to span the globe today. Bob Marley was 36 when he died of cancer in 1981.

Jamaica Information Minister Olivia Grange explains that "Mrs. Booker was the matriarch of a movement so powerful that the mystical qualities of the Marley musical legacy remain strong and potent."

"Besides being a wonderful person, she gave generously to this community. Among the many organizations that she contributed to through the Bob Marley festival was the Camillus House [a local homeless shelter], and that went to feed thousands, who otherwise went hungry without her support," added Sam Gil, vice president of the shelter.

Family members are planning a memorial and you can visit her MySpace page .