Funk-soul singer Sharon Jones died Friday (November 18) of pancreatic cancer. She was 60.

After spending years struggling to break into the industry and staying out of the spotlight as a back-up singer or member of wedding bands upon being rejected for being “too fat, too Black, too short, and too old,” Sharon and her band the Dap-Kings found their stride later in life, especially with their 2014 Grammy-nominated album Give The People What They Want.

According to Rolling Stone, “Jones was diagnosed with stage two pancreatic cancer in 2013 but later went into remission nine months later. The cancer returned in 2015, with tumors spreading to her lung, liver and lymph nodes.”

The singer’s rep wrote in a statement:

“We are deeply saddened to announce that Sharon Jones has passed away after a heroic battle against pancreatic cancer. She was surrounded by her loved ones, including the Dap-Kings.”

Last month, the singer was scheduled to perform at the White House’s South by South Lawn event, but cancelled due to illness.

And earlier this year it was announced that her documentary Miss Sharon Jones!—which followed the year the frontwoman was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer while on the brink of releasing a new album and embarking on a tour—would receive theatrical, digital, and on-demand releases. Watch the trailer below.

REVOLT got the chance to interview Miss Sharon Jones on the red carpet at the 2015 Grammy Awards.