Joan Elise Sledge

 Joan Elise Sledge (September 13, 1956 – March 10, 2017), better known as Joni Sledge.

Sledge was best known as a founding member of the American family vocal group Sister Sledge. The group was known for their hits during the mid-1970s through the mid-1990s; most notably 1979's "We Are Family" and "He's the Greatest Dancer". Sledge attended Olney High School; graduating in 1974. Sledge majored in communications while in college at Temple University. 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; writing and producing 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 found dead by a friend at her home on March 11, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona, She was 60 years old. Her death was originally considered due to unknown circumstances as she didn't have any known illnesses, according to close family sources. She is buried at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.