The late 90s was a time when fans were obsessed with soundtracks more than the movies those songs promoted. For ‘Soul in Stereo’ blogger Edward Bowser, 1997’s ‘Money Train’ has been his all-time favorite. But between the Bad Boy remixes of Barry White hits and several other favorites, there sat a random track from an artist he didn’t know. It was Angie Stone’s. Her song ‘Everyday’ stood out to Bowser because, in a time when hip-hop was all the craze, the neo-soul song would make one reflect on love. If not this, and if you’re old school, you must have heard a 1979 single ‘Funk You Up’ to become a regularly sampled song in contemporary music, including Bruno Mars’ infamous ‘Uptown Funk.’

In 2000, Bowser went on a road trip to Detroit with a bunch of college classmates. It was a very long drive but Stone’s single ‘No More Rain’ kept them company as they listened to her sing about optimism winning over fear, reminding them that changes were scary but the good days were ahead. For a bunch of college kids who were trying to establish themselves in the journalism industry, the song provided warmth and comfort. However, they had no idea that the artist they were listening to was going through a transformation as well.

Stone slogged for two decades before 2001’s ‘Mahogany Soul’ gave her the recognition she deserved. The album opened with the song ‘Soul Insurance’, but the 75-minute album peaked when the singer lamented over the painful depths of love with ‘What U Dyin’ For?’

Unfortunately, Stone has passed away. As per reports, the Grammy-nominated R&B artist, who was 63, died due to a car crash. A van she was traveling in from Alabama to Atlanta on Saturday overturned, “flipped over and subsequently hit by a big rig” at 4 a.m. that left her fatally injured. Everyone else from her band of performers made it out safe except for Stone herself. She was scheduled to perform at the halftime show of the men’s Championship basketball game at the CIAA on Saturday. As for her successors, her children are in shock and yet to come to terms with the tragic news.

“Never in a million years did we ever expect to get this horrible news,” said Stone’s children, Diamond Stone and Michael Archer, in a joint statement. “Our mom is and will always be our everything. We are still trying to process and are completely heartbroken.” Diamond also took to her Facebook to pen, “My mommy is gone.” While the latest on the news suggested that her family was on their way to Montgomery, Alabama, condolences have poured in from everywhere, including Russell Wilson’s wife Ciara.

Stone’s children Diamond Stone and Michael Archer also released a joint statement: “Never in a million years did we ever expect to get this horrible news. Our mom is and will always be our everything. We are still trying to process and are completely heartbroken.” Further, a spokesperson also revealed that Angie Stone’s family were on their way to Montgomery, Alabama. Just like the family, Russell Wilson‘s wife and singer, Ciara, is in shock.

She took to Instagram and wrote: “Rest in Paradise Angie Stone,” and also shared a picture of Stone. It captured the singer in her element: A big gold chain and an electric blue outfit.

Guy Todd Williams, who is also known as Rahiem, said that there were about nine other passengers in a van with Stone when the crash took place but the singer was the only fatality. “She left her indelible mark on the music industry initially as a member of the legendary rap group Sequence,” Williams said.

Angie Stone was best known for ‘Wish I Didn’t Miss You’ and throughout her career, the singer worked on releasing 10 solo albums. She was also nominated for three Grammys. But when did her story start?

Angie Stone: How music saved her

Music had always been a part of Stone’s life. As a child, she would hear her other singing in the house while going about her chores. Her father would sing gospel and blues around the town. “I’m an only child, so my dad and my mom are my life, and when I was I kid I’d look up to my dad,” she revealed in 1999. “He was very influential in what I wanted to do.”

But years later, Stone went through a health crisis. She was hospitalized for congestive heart failure and, owing to that, she decided to change her life. She dropped 40 pounds and ate healthy. But music gave her direction during the tough time; She was happy to be alive and make music.

“I feel complete. I have a new love, a new album, a new outlook and a newfound joy. A few years ago, I was unhappy, depressed, not happy with the label’s efforts to market me. I had to still manage to uplift my audience,” she told the Associated Press in 2007. “Now I feel like I’m on my way to a happily ever after. I’ve been in the business since 1979. I’ve grudged and drudged. … Now I can finally say I feel I’ve arrived and mean it.”

She even went on to show her acting skills in films like ‘The Hot Chick’, ‘The Fighting Temptations’ and ‘Ride Along’. Owing to her long and successful career, she was inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Angie Stone is survived by her children Diamond, and Michael, and her grandchildren. Her family has not yet announced any information about the funeral arrangements.