The Velvelettes member Bertha Barbee McNeal has died at the age of 82 following a battle with colon cancer.
She passed away on Thursday at a Kalamazoo, Michigan Hospice.
Lead singer of the group Cal Gill Street called Bertha a 'precious lady' as she discussed their friendship.
Speaking to The Detroit News, she said: "She was an angel. I've lost my dearest friend. Bertie was a precious lady.
"I never heard any profanity, I never heard her speak ill of anybody, even if she was upset.
"She would get beyond that, like an angel here on earth. In the group, she was the glue that kept us from choking."
The Motown Historical Museum also issued a statement about 'kind' Bertha following her death.
"She was a faithful supporter of the Motown Museum and participated in many museum events including Hitsville Honors in 2019 and the grand opening of Rocket Plaza this past August," they said.
"Her kind and sweet presence was always a delight and she was loved by the museum staff and alumni alike."
The Velvelettes had hits like He Was Really Saying Something, which was also covered by the group Bananarama.
Amy Winehouse even cited the group as a huge influence.
Bertha last performed with The Velvelettes at Arcadia Creek in Kalamazoo in July this year.
Get all the biggest showbiz news straight into your inbox. Sign up for the free Mirror Showbiz newsletter.
She grew up in Flint, Michigan, and was part of a group with her cousin Norma, called The Barbees.
For a competition, she recruited Norma and her university friends to sing and impressed producer Berry Gordy's nephew Robert Bullock.
He suggested they audition for Berry, who wasn't available when they arrived. Thankfully, Mickey Stevenson was there.
Mickey, who produced The Barbees' Que Pasa, signed them and cowrote Needle in a Haystack.
The track peaked at 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1964. They also had hits There He Goes and That's The Reason Why in 1963.
Bertha has a bachelor's and master's degree in Music and was a teacher for almost 30 years in her town's schools.
She is survived by her son Marty McNeal, daughter Melva Payton, granddaughter Cydni Payton and grandson Spencer Payton.
* Follow Mirror Celebs on Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
