Jessi Zazu Wariner, former guitarist and singer in the country band Those Darlins, has lost her battle with cervical cancer.
Wariner died on Tuesday while surrounded by friends and family at a Nashville hospital, The Tennessean reported.
The singer — who was diagnosed in 2016, after Those Darlins went on their final tour — recorded a song called “Ain’t Afraid” that reflected her health struggles through lyrics such as, “There’s a tumor growing on my body and I don’t know what lays in store, but I ain’t afraid anymore.”
According to The Tennessean, T-shirts made with the song’s name printed on them raised $50,000 toward her medical bills.
A tribute was posted on the now-dismantled band’s Facebook page commending Wariner for her strength while she was sick.
“She maintained a sense of humor and a commanding presence up until and through her final moments,” read the post. “Shout-out to your contagious spirit that inspired all who crossed it. Shout-out to the creative dynamo who continued to flourish even against insurmountable odds.”
Plans for a memorial service have not been announced.