Barbara Carr died on April 15, 2026, at the age of 85 in Maryville, Illinois, her family has announced in a powerful tribute to the star. The singer's family revealed that she died "surrounded by family" in an obituary that paid tribute to her long career and impact on the soul and blues genre. Carr's obituary detailed the early beginnings of her career in Missouri, singing in church with her siblings before moving into the soul genre. The star got her first solo recording contract with Chess