Angie Stone’s children are speaking out following the singer’s death.
On Monday, March 3, her children thanked fans in an Instagram post for their “love, well wishes and condolences” following Angie’s death on March 1.
“Her daughter Diamond, and son Michael want to thank you all for reaching out to the family. They ask that you respect their privacy as they grieve the loss of their mother.”
The statement continued: “Angie was an example for Black women and girls everywhere. She is a pioneer of rap music that began with the female trio ‘The Sequence.’ Angie Stone believed in giving back to her fans and the community with her foundation ‘Angel Stripes.”
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Angel Stripes – the Angie Stone Foundation is a nationwide non-profit focused on community partnership. Per the foundation’s website, its goals are to bring awareness to the arts while preserving the arts for the next generation, along with fostering community togetherness.
The foundation also works to protect and encourage seniors to vote.
The caption for the post noted that the R&B singer was recently attending college for ministry. “Her love of God and her faith led her to have a deep desire to share her belief in God and bring more people to Christ.”
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Her children shared that funeral services are still being planned for Stone, along with a memorial service “so that Angie’s fans can honor her life, music, and legacy.” “Even though Angie is no longer with us physically her family wants you to keep her legacy alive.”
A representative confirmed to PEOPLE on Saturday, March 1 that the singer died in a car crash that also involved an 18-wheeler truck. She was 63. Diamond also confirmed the news with an emotional Facebook post.
The Columbia, S.C. native was part of one of the first female hip-hop groups The Sequence with Cheryl Cook and Gwendolyn Chisolm, known for the 1979 song track “Funk You Up.” Stone ventured into R&B in the ’90s as part of the group Vertical Hold and eventually went solo.
Stone released Black Diamond in 1999, her first solo album. Two years later she dropped Mahogany Soul, which featured “Wish I Didn’t Miss You.”
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She also acted in television and film, and even had a stint on Broadway in 2003 with Chicago. She was nominated for three Grammy Awards throughout her lifetime.
Along with Stone’s two children, she is survived by two grandchildren.
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