Harper Lee, Author Of 'To Kill A Mockingbird,' Passes Away

MONROEVILLE, Ala. (CBS4) - Author Harper Lee, best known for her famous novel "To Kill A Mockingbird," has passed away at the age of 89, according to AL.com.

Nelle Harper Lee died in her hometown of Monroeville Friday morning.

She won a Pulitzer Prize in fiction in 1961 for her book, and received the 2007 Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is given to those who have made remarkable contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, culture, or other private or public endeavors.

After years out of the spotlight, Lee made waves just last year when she unexpected published her second novel, a sequel to her first work.

"Go Set a Watchman," a novel that she completed in the 1950s and put aside, was released in July 2015. It was just her second book, and her first new work in more than 50 years.