Joni Sledge

Joan Elise Sledge (September 13, 1956 – March 10, 2017), better known as Joni Sledge, was an American singer–songwriter and producer. Sledge was best known as a founding member of the American family vocal group Sister Sledge. Sledge performed the song "Then Came You" with the Spinners on the television music show "The Midnight Special" in 1975.
In addition to singing, Sledge was also a songwriter and producer. She wrote and produced the song "Brother, Brother Stop" for a Sister Sledge greatest hits album in 1996. Sledge's production of their album "African Eyes" which was released in 1997 was nominated for a best–production Grammy.
Sledge was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She studied at Temple University. She had one son Thaddeus Sledge. 
Sledge was found dead by a friend at her home on March 11, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona at the age of 60. Her death was originally considered due to unknown circumstances as she didn't have any known illnesses, according to close family sources. On March 14, 2017, Sledge's cause of death was ruled "natural causes".