Annie Minerva Turnbo Malone died in Chicago, Illinois, at the age of 79, after suffering a stroke. Her death marked the end of an era for a woman who had made significant contributions to the beauty industry and African-American community. Her business and remaining fortune were bequeathed to her nieces and nephews.

Annie Turnbo married Aaron Eugene Malone, a former teacher and religious book salesman. This marriage had a significant impact on her business, Poro College, as her husband later demanded half of the business's value during their divorce in 1927.

Around the beginning of the 1900s, Annie Turnbo moved with her older siblings to Lovejoy, now known as Brooklyn, Illinois. She began experimenting with hair and different hair-care products, she developed and manufactured her own line of non-damaging hair straighteners, special oils, and hair-stimulant products for African-American women.

Annie Minerva Turnbo, later known as Annie Malone, was born in Metropolis, Illinois. This marks the beginning of the life of a prominent businesswoman, inventor, and philanthropist who would significantly impact the African-American community through her cosmetics and educational enterprise.