Remembering Joni Sledge

Joni Sledge, singer-songwriter and a founding member of the 1970s group Sister Sledge, died on Friday at her home in Phoenix and the age of 60, her family announced on Facebook. A cause of death has not been disclosed. Debbie, Joni, Kim and Kathy Sledge formed Sister Sledge in 1971 and rose to the top of the chart eight years later with their now iconic single, “We Are Family,” which earned them a Grammy nomination and went to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Sledge family announced Joni’s passing in a Saturday Facebook post that read, “Yesterday, numbness fell upon our family. We are saddened to inform you that our dear sister, mother, aunt, niece and cousin, Joni passed away yesterday. Please pray for us as we weep for this loss. We do know that she is now eternally with Our Lord. We thank you in advance for allowing us the privacy to mourn quietly as a family. We miss her and hurt for her presence, her radiance, and the sincerity with which she loved & embraced life. We love you & God Bless You all. The Sledge Family.”