Memories of the life of “Single Girl” singer Sandy Posey

Sandy Posey, the singer known for her 1960s hits “Single Girl” and “Born a Woman,” has died at age 80 from complications of dementia. The musician died at her Tennessee home from complications of the degenerative disease, her husband Wade Cummins confirmed to TMZ. He said Posey had been battling dementia “for quite a while,” but over the past seven years her condition had slowly declined. Otherwise, she had been in good health, he said. Cummins was at Posey’s bedside when she died, as were her daughter Amy and her niece.

Posey’s husband said he cared for her in her final years and is heartbroken over the loss of the love of his life, who he “misses greatly.” Cummins said he and Posey are deeply religious and it is a comfort to him to know she is “with Jesus now,” the news outlet reported. He told the news outlet the kindness and support he has received from her millions of fans worldwide is a comfort to him. Posey’s family is planning a celebration in her honor, according to the news outlet, but has not yet set a date. Cummins said the event will be recorded and posted on Facebook for her fans to see, according to the news outlet. Posey will be cremated, sources told the news outlet.

Posey’s singles included “Born a Woman” and “Single Girl,” both released in 1966, and 1967’s “I Take It Back,” “What a Woman in Love Won’t Do” and “Are You Never Coming Home.” “Born A Woman” earned Posey two Grammy nominations in 1967, for Best Contemporary (R&R) Solo Vocal Performance – Male or Female and Best Vocal Performance, Female.” Posey was signed to several record labels over the years, the media reported, including Columbia, Warner Bros. and MGM. According to a biography published on AllMusic.com, Posey “possessed a high, plaintive voice with just the slightest twang, which she emphasized after ‘I Take It Back’ hit the Top 40 in 1967.”

Posey focused on country music in the 1970s, working with producer Billy Sherrill, who had also worked with the late Tammy Wynette. In the 2000s, she made a comeback, re-recording her key songs and a record for King Records, according to AllMusic.com. Posey had recently celebrated her 80th birthday, as she was born on June 18, 1944, in Jasper, Alabama. She attended high school in West Memphis, Arkansas, and then moved to Memphis to pursue her dreams in the music business. She had worked as a receptionist at a studio and had also done some session singing before breaking through with the aforementioned singles.

The Nashville-based Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum posted a tweet Monday in memory of the late singer, saying: “Sandy Posey, whose hits like ‘Born a Woman’ and ‘Single Girl’ mixed the sweetness of 1960s teen pop with country melodies, died July 21. Her career included session work for Elvis Presley and recording with famed producer Billy Sherrill.”