ELON, N.C. (AP) — Jeanne Robertson, who parlayed her appearance in the Miss America pageant into a career as a speaker and humorist, has died at the age of 77.

Her death was announced by Elon University, where she served as a trustee.

A cause of death was not released. Robertson became Miss North Carolina at age 19, and won Miss Congeniality at the 1963 Miss America pageant.

Her pageant experience and her 6-foot-2-inch frame often provided fodder for her comedy routines, delivered in her Southern accent. She taught physical education in North Carolina for eight years after graduating from Auburn University in 1967.