According to The Associated Press, Biff Warren, publicist for the band best known for its 1979 hit "We Are Family," said a friend found Sledge dead in her Phoenix home Friday. Her cause of death is not yet known.   

>> PHOTOS: Notable deaths 2017

Warren told the AP and CNN that Sledge had not been sick.

In a Facebook post Saturday, the group, formed by Sledge and her sisters in 1971, announced the news and asked for prayers.

"Yesterday, numbness fell upon our family. We are saddened to inform you that our dear sister, mother, aunt, niece and cousin, Joni, passed away yesterday. Please pray for us as we weep for this loss. We do know that she is now eternally with Our Lord," the post read.

>> See the post here

Sledge leaves behind a son and her sisters, the AP reported.

Read more here or here.

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Atlanta art and antiques appraiser and auctioneer Allan Baitcher (right) takes bids during a 2020 auction. Baitcher and his company, Peachtree Antiques, are being sued by a Florida multimillionaire who says he paid them $20 million for fakes. (AJC 2020)

Credit: Phil Skinner / Staff