Eraineya Stone Newell, a Chicago native and entertainer locally for about 25 years, particularly at North Side bars, died in her sleep Nov. 13. She was 50.
She died of complications associated with diabetes.
Known on the drag circuit as Eraineya Stone (pronounced uh-rain-knee-uh), she performed at Hydrate, Circuit, Charlie's and Jackhammer, among other area bars.
She was partners with Mark Weathersby, 56, for 20 years and the two were planning to be married.
"I remember her as a nice person who would do anything for anybody," Weathersby said. "She was a beautiful person who always had a smile on her face, always tried to make you feel at home."
Eraineya Stone (born Marcus Newell) graduated from Hyde Park High School and had two sons.
"Even as a kid, he always was an entertainer. He always played music on his stereo, and pantomimed the music; that was his world, period," said brother Michael Newell, 54, who lives in New York. They also have another sibling: Melvin, 64, who lives in Chicago.
"He was a very courageous, nice kid. His thing always was performing. Back then, we called it, pantomimingand that's who he's become. He was very close with his mother (Melda), who passed away years ago."
Michael Newell said his sibling "had lots of friends within the [drag] community, sort of was a den-mother to a lot of people."
Eraineya Stone enjoyed sewing and made most of her costumes. She sewed for other entertainers, too. Plus, Eraineya Stone was a self-taught makeup artist and hair stylist.
"He was always a creative individual and loved to sing," Michael Newell said.
Her childhood nickname was Tutu, given to her by Melda. "Tutu would always provide the entertainment at family functions, regardless of who was there, or how many. We'd always said, 'Do your thing,'" Michael Newell said. "He was passionate about entertaining."