MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The music world is mourning the loss of Grammy-nominated R&B singer Angie Stone, who tragically passed away in a car accident early Saturday morning. She was 63. Stone, known for her soulful voice and hit song “Wish I Didn’t Miss You,” was returning to Atlanta from Alabama when the vehicle she was in flipped over and was subsequently struck by a large truck.
According to Stone’s longtime manager, Walter Millsap III, the crash occurred around 4 a.m., and while the other occupants in the van survived, Stone sadly did not. The Alabama Highway Patrol reported that the van, a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, overturned on Interstate 65 before being hit by a 2021 Freightliner Cascadia truck driven by a Texan man, approximately 33 years old. Stone was pronounced dead at the accident site, roughly 5 miles south of Montgomery’s city boundaries. The driver of the van and seven others were hospitalized at Baptist Medical Center, while investigations into the crash’s cause continue.
Stone’s children, Diamond and Michael Archer, expressed their grief in a statement, saying, “We are still trying to process and are completely heartbroken.” Millsap added his devastation at the unexpected tragedy, noting the loss was immeasurable. Stone was slated to perform during the halftime show at the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association men’s Championship basketball game on the day of the crash. The CIAA paid tribute by observing a moment of silence led by Chaplain Pastor Jerome Barber.
The music and wider communities are grieving the passing of an artist who left an unforgettable mark with her rich contributions. Stone’s career was marked by iconic hits like “No More Rain (In This Cloud)” and her collaboration with Betty Wright on “Baby.” Her influence was notably felt in the early 2000s as she navigated the neo-soul movement with peers like Erykah Badu and Jill Scott. Angie Stone’s albums, including “Mahogany Soul” and “The Art Of Love & War,” achieved significant chart success, embodying her strength in R&B.
Born in Columbia, South Carolina, Stone grew up embedded in music, with a deep-rooted musical background influenced by her parents. She was part of The Sequence, the pioneering all-female group on Sugar Hill Records, celebrated for their rap number “Funk You Up.” Beyond forming The Sequence, Stone joined Vertical Hold prior to venturing into a successful solo career.
In past interview excerpts, Stone shared her journey of self-discovery and transformation, highlighting significant lifestyle changes after a health scare. Her commitment to music and well-being never wavered, and she expressed a newfound joy and sense of fulfillment in her career’s latter years.
Apart from her music, Angie Stone had embraced acting, participating in films like “The Hot Chick” and “The Fighting Temptations.” She also displayed her theatrical talents on Broadway and reality television, ultimately continuing to show her versatility and resilience. The music industry and her fans mourn the loss of a soulful voice and a cherished icon.
