The McCrary Sisters vocalist Deborah McCrary dead at 67: Gospel singer had suffered a stroke in 2013

Singer Deborah McCrary of the McCrary Sisters died at the age of 67 Wednesday.

McCrary’s death was confirmed by a spokesperson for the musical group, according to Rolling Stone. Her cause of death was not immediately released.

McCrary and her sisters had released their own records in addition to providing gospel vocals for artists including Sheryl Crow, Carrie Underwood and Chris Stapleton.

The McCrary Sisters said in a statement: ‘​​It is with deep sorrow that we share the news of the passing of our beloved sister Deborah,’ People reported.

A statement from Rounder Records stated condolences for the family: ‘We are saddened by the news of Deborah McCrary’s passing. Our hearts go out to her family during this difficult time.’

McCrary in 2013 had suffered a stroke that put her career as a singer in jeopardy. She told the Grand Ole Opry that her spirituality helped carry her through the tough times.

‘I remembered that God does things for a reason,’ McCrary said. ‘That’s where I was supposed to be, with my sisters by my side.

A statement from Rounder Records stated condolences for the family

The musical artist was snapped onstage in Nashville in October of 2019 

The McCrary sisters – (L-R) Ann, Deborah, Regina and Alfreda – were seen playing in Nashville in 2014 with Buddy Miller

‘I thank God for my sisters because they’ve helped me in a lot of ways, and that whole experience gave me a deeper understanding of just how much I love being with them.’

The musical outfit appeared alongside Maren Morris at the 2016 CMA Awards in a collaboration on her single My Church. The McCrary Sisters have also collaborated with performers including Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller, Margo Price, Robert Randolph and the late Gregg Allman.

Margo Price tweeted Thursday, ‘I’m saddened to hear of the passing of the legendary Deborah McCrary of the @mccrarysisters. It was an honor to work with her and a huge loss to the Nashville music community and beyond.’ 

(L-R) Deborah, Alfreda, Regina and Ann McCrary were seen at the 2019 Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony in Nashville 

The quartet was seen performing onstage at the event in Music City 

Singer Margo Price took to Twitter on Thursday to pay memorial to the late musical artist 

McCrary, who was born June 17, 1954, began singing with her sisters Ann, Regina, and Alfreda in 2009. Their father, Rev. Samuel McCrary, had a musical background as a member of the gospel outfit the Fairfield Four.

Deborah as a teenager had performed as a member of the BCM Mass Choir, WZTV Nashville reported, and had performed alongside artists including Elvis Presley, Isaac Hayes and Ray Stevens.

Deborah, who had worked as a nurse for much of her life, told the Nashville Tennessean in 2015 that she had a bit of stage fright prior to performing with her three sisters at at the Station Inn in Nashville.

‘It felt like everybody was staring at me, and I swore I’d never get back up there again, but it was so much fun to be with my sisters, and after that it didn’t take much [convincing] at all,’ she said.