Tragic Crash Claims Wife of Bobby Womacks Brother

The brother of late soul legend Bobby Womack has suffered a devastating loss after his wife was killed in a car wreck in last week. 

Friendly Womack Jr., 85, who is best known for performing in R&B group The Valentinos with his brothers, was driving with wife Elaine in Little Rock last Friday when the accident happened, Friendly's grandson, Martice told TMZ.

The Pulaski Sheriff's Office confirmed to the publication that Elaine was found dead in a car following a three vehicle accident at an intersection.

Martice said Friendly was uninjured in the crash, with police investigating the cause.

The Daily Mail has contacted the Pulaski Sheriff's Office for further comment.

Tributes were paid to 'gem' Elaine in the wake of her shock passing, with one reading: 'Mrs. Elaine was truly an Angel on this earth. I only met her a few years ago at a family gathering in , but from the moment she and her husband Friendly walked in, we bonded instantly. 

'Their love, their laughter, and the way they moved through the world together was a beautiful blessing a long-lasting marriage built on friendship, joy, and genuine devotion.'

Another post read: 'I met Elaine, While producing the musical, If You Think You’re Lonely Now, we would converse so much over the phone. I was honored to fly them here to see the premiere of the show. I was also honored they stayed at my house with me while they were here. 

'She would call me just to encourage me to keep moving no matter what. I remember her telling me, since your mom is no longer here, I’m here for you! Although I just met she and her husband Friendly, they became family to me. Man, this hurts so much….Please pray for Friendly Womack and their family….SHE WAS A GEM and will be greatly missed!'

Bobby died aged 70 in 2014 - just two weeks after his final performance at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, . 

For seven decades Bobby created some of the world's most soulful songs, both for himself and others.

The singer had previously been diagnosed with colon cancer but was believed to be in remission and was also reportedly suffering from early stages of Alzhemer’s disease.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Bobby was just 10-years-old when after mastering the guitar, he joined his older brother Curtis as gospel act the Womack Brothers, which would eventually become The Valentinos, who had a string of hits in the 50s and early 60s.

The Valentinos was also comprised of Harry and Cecil Womack.

Music written by Bobby gave The Rolling Stones their first number one UK hit when they recorded a cover of the song It's All Over Now. 

However, the band would break up when their mentor soul singer Sam Cooke was shot and killed. 

Bobby would cause a scandal when he married Sam's widow Barbara just three months after his death.

His younger brother Cecil, married Sam and Barbara's daughter.

Bobby would later divorce Barbara and remarry Regina Banks.

Going out on his own he worked with Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin and Sly And Family, before releasing his first solo record Fly Me to the Moon.

Throughout the 70s the singer released close to a dozen albums but disappeared from the music scene following the death of his brother Curtis and his young son. 

The singer then struggled with drug addiction throughout the Eighties but got sober a decade later and released album Resurrection which included a collaboration with The Roots.

His career received another boost in 2010 when he contributed to the Gorillaz album Plastic Beach.

In 2009 the soul star was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. 

Speaking of the honor he said: 'My very first thought was - I wish I could call Sam Cooke and share this moment with him.

'This is just about as exciting to me as being able to see Barack Obama become the first black President of the United States of America! It proves that, if you're blessed to be able to wait on what's important to you, a lot of things will change in life.'

Bobby is survived by four of his six children - his son Vincent died by suicide in 1986 aged 21 and another son, Truth, died aged four months in 1978.