Grammy award-winning singer, Anita Pointer of the Pointer Sisters, has died at age 74. Surrounded by family, Anita passed in her Beverly Hills home on December 31 from cancer. The family released a statement explaining that although they were devastated at losing a beautiful soul, they knew Anita was now at peace. People close to the singer offered condolences and reminisced about her kindness on social media. 

The Pointer family said in their statement, “She was the one that kept all of us close and together for so long. Her love of our family will live on in each of us. Heaven is a more loving, beautiful place with Anita there.” They continued, “While we are deeply saddened by the loss of Anita, we are comforted in knowing she is now with her daughter Jada and her sisters June and Bonnie and at peace.”

Katrina of Katrina & The Waves took to Twitter to talk about how vital Anita’s friendship was to her while touring with Wham back in 1985. 

“Heartbreaker” singer, Dione Warwick, called her and her sisters family.

Actress Marsha Warfield and others well-versed in the music industry recognized what her group did for the scene. 

The Pointer Sisters had hits like “Automatic” and “I’m So Excited.” The group began as two sisters, June and Bonnie, before Anita and their youngest sister Ruth joined the group for their debut album – which included their first hit single, “Yes We Can Can.” The hit was so influential that it led the Pointer Sisters to become the first Black female group to perform at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry.