Joni Sledge of Sister Sledge Passes Away at 60

Joni Sledge, founding member of the group Sister Sledge, most famous for the black family anthem, “We Are Family,” has died. She was 60 years old.

Sledge was found dead in her home by a friend in Phoenix, Arizona, on Friday. A cause of death has not been determined.

Publicist Biff Warren, who confirmed her death, said Sledge had not been ill.

“On yesterday, numbness fell upon our family. We welcome your prayers as we weep the loss of our sister, mother, aunt, niece and cousin,” read a family statement.

Sledge and her gorgeous sisters Debbie, Kim and Kathy formed the Sister Sledge in Philadelphia, in 1971.

L-R – Kathy, Debbie, Kim and Joni Sledge