To the sorrow of her family and many fans, singer and reality television star Traci Braxton has transitioned from this life. The “Last Call” singer battled esophageal cancer for a year before succumbing to the disease. The announcement was made by her son Kevin Surratt Jr. on Saturday, March 12, 2022, followed by a post on her sister, Toni Braxton’s Twitter account. She was 50 years old.
Traci was the third child born in a talented family of five sisters and one brother that included Tamar, 44, Trina, 47, Towanda, 48, Michael, 53, and Toni Braxton, 54. The sisters became famous for their vocal ability to harmonize perfectly.
Traci was a part of the sisters’ singing group The Braxtons, collaborating on the 1990s song “Good Life.” Not too long after, Toni ended up signing a label deal with L.A. Reid and Babyface at LaFace Records. The sisters would sing backup for Toni and go on tour with the platinum singer. Ultimately, Traci made the tough decision to leave the group to raise her son.
From there, she established her career in social work until she had the opportunity to get in the spotlight once more with the 2011 WeTV reality series Braxton Family Values. The show revived her music career and opened the door to acting.
She released the contemporary R&B album Crash & Burn in October 2014. Traci also collaborated with her sisters on the Christmas album Braxton Family Christmas in 2015. Her second and last solo album, On Earth, came out in August 2018.
Traci branched into acting, as well, starring in the stageplay There’s a Stranger in My House, and films Sinners Wanted, All In, and The Christmas Lottery. Her last role was in the Eric Orr film Chaaw, a crime drama about the stories of victims of injustice in America.
Traci is survived by her husband, Kevin Surratt, her son and his wife, and one grandson. Sending condolences to the family. May Traci Braxton rest in peace.
