Music fans are mourning the loss of Thelma Stubbs-Mitchell, described by Soul Tracks as “soul music royalty.”
Indeed, Stubbs-Mitchell is a member of a famous music family, sister of iconic Four Tops lead singer Levi Stubbs and Joe Stubbs, a member of The Countours.
In addition to her own solo career, she was also the lead vocalist in soul group The Stubbs Girls, originally called L’Stubbs.
A Sad Announcement
The sad news was shared by The Four Tops’ Facebook page.
“The Four Tops send our love and heartfelt condolences to the Stubbs family on the passing of Thelma Stubbs, beloved younger sister of Levi and Joe Stubbs and a member of The Stubbs Girls,” reads the post.
“Our thoughts are with the entire Stubbs family at this very sad time,” the post adds, before concluding, “Rest in peace, Thelma.”
The Stubbs Girls
The Stubbs Girls featured Stubbs-Mitchell singing with four of her nieces — Robin, Pamela, Sheila and Ronda — to create what Soul Tracks describes as “an unusual cross-generational family vocal group.”
The site adds: “Drawing from both gospel and the classic Detroit soul tradition, the singers developed a sound built around the naturally similar vocal tones within the Stubbs family and their tightly blended harmonies.”
In 2023, The Stubbs Girls were inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.
Lady Stubbs
As a solo artist, Stubbs-Mitchell recorded with her legendary brother Levi; in 1999, she and fellow Stubbs Girls singer Sheila Stubbs Taylor joined the Four Tops singer on the track “Better Than Ever Before.”
While The Stubbs Girls continued without her, Stubbs-Mitchell continued recording and tourist as a solo act, both under her own name and as Lady Stubbs.
Her solo singles included “All About Us,” “Let’s Be Friends,” “Ole’ Gina” and “Should’ve Known Better.” Her final release was issued earlier this year, a 2026 remix of “Ladies Night” that featured The Stubbs Girls.
A Legacy of Music
British media personality Esther Austin paid tribute to Stubbs-Mitchell in a heartfelt Facebook post.
Recalling that she’d interviewed Stubbs-Mitchell on several occasions, Austin shared her memories of the late singer.
“People like Thelma are rare because she was authentic and just full of love,” Austin wrote.
“She had a beautiful essence about her. I had the absolute privilege meeting her many years ago in Detroit, and we kept in touch,” she continued.
“I had attended one of the award shows hosted and organized by the late Brenda Wilson, daughter of legend Jackie Wilson that celebrates the lives of music legends. I remember when The Stubbs Girls performed at The Awards and I was blown away by their performance. She was a phenomenal singer.”
Austin also addressed Stubbs-Mitchell’s religious convictions. “She was also a strong woman of faith. A woman of God. Her essence was Christlike, ratherthan being a judgemental Christian,” she wrote. “The world has truly, truly, truly lost an angel and I feel so, so privileged at have been able to meet someone who touched my life by the love she exuded.”
