Dothan, ALA – Grammy-nominated R&B singer and songwriter Angie Stone, widely known for her hit song “Wish I Didn’t Miss You,” tragically passed away in a car crash early Saturday morning. Stone, who was 63, was traveling back to Atlanta from Alabama when the vehicle she was in overturned on Interstate 65 and was subsequently struck by a large truck.
According to Stone’s longtime manager and music producer, Walter Millsap III, the accident occurred around 4:00 a.m. while Stone was returning from a planned performance. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van she was riding in flipped over about five miles south of Montgomery. It was then struck by a 2021 Freightliner Cascadia truck driven by a 33-year-old man from Texas. Stone was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other seven passengers in the van were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The Alabama Highway Patrol confirmed the incident, noting that the cause of the crash is still under investigation. The driver of the van and the others who survived are receiving care at Baptist Medical Center.
Millsap expressed the heartbreak he felt upon hearing the devastating news. “We are truly devastated by this unexpected and unfortunate tragedy,” he said in a statement. “There are simply no words to express how we feel.”
Stone’s children, Diamond and Michael Archer, shared their grief in a statement released to the public. “Never in a million years did we ever expect to get this horrible news,” they said. “We are still trying to process and are completely heartbroken.”
The singer was scheduled to perform at the halftime show of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men’s Basketball Championship on Saturday, an event that went on to honor her with a moment of silence, as called for by CIAA Chaplain Pastor Jerome Barber. The CIAA Commissioner, Jacqie McWilliams-Parker, expressed the conference’s sorrow at her passing, calling Stone “a woman of incredible talent, passion, and presence.”
Stone’s career spanned decades, marking her as one of the most influential voices in R&B and neo-soul. In addition to “Wish I Didn’t Miss You,” which became a staple on R&B charts, she created iconic hits such as “No More Rain (In This Cloud)” and “Brotha.” Her music resonated deeply with fans, securing her place as a pioneer of the neo-soul movement alongside artists like Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, and Maxwell.
Born in Columbia, South Carolina, Stone first made her mark as a member of the pioneering all-female hip-hop trio The Sequence, signed to the legendary Sugar Hill Records. The group’s 1980s hit “Funk You Up” was groundbreaking, helping pave the way for future female rap groups. Stone later found solo success, releasing albums like Mahogany Soul and The Art of Love & War, which earned critical acclaim and chart success.
Her resilience was evident not only in her music but also in her personal life. After a battle with congestive heart failure, Stone made significant lifestyle changes, losing over 40 pounds and adopting a healthier lifestyle. “I feel complete,” she said in a 2007 interview, reflecting on her journey through both personal and professional challenges.
Stone’s career also saw her branching out into acting, with roles in films like The Hot Chick, The Fighting Temptations, and Ride Along. She further showcased her versatility by performing on Broadway as Big Mama Morton in Chicago and appeared in reality TV shows like Celebrity Fit Club and R&B Divas: Atlanta.
Her untimely death has left a void in the music industry and among her fans. Tributes from fellow artists and industry figures have poured in, remembering Stone not only for her musical talent but also for her strength and character.
As investigations continue into the cause of the crash, the music world mourns the loss of one of its brightest stars. Stone’s legacy, however, will live on through the timeless music she created and the inspiration she provided to countless fans and fellow artists alike.
