“We’re saddened to inform you that Soulsister #1 Marva Whitney passed away last night. She left us with a legacy that will shine forever. Please keep her family in your payers,” says an announcement on the singers Facebook page
Whitney was nicknamed ‘soul sister number 1’ by her good friend and collaborator James Brown after joining her families gospel group, the Manning Gospel Singers. According to Rolling stone Whitney’s most well known track was “Unwind Yourself,” which was sampled many times.
She reportedly passed away from complecations from pneumonia.