Cleotha Stalples' the eldest sibling of the renowned Chicago and influential gospel group Staple Singers died Thursday at 78.

Staples struggled with Alzheimer's disease for 12 years and passed away at her Chicago home, according to family friend and music publicist Bill Carpenter.

The eldest sister and member of the group her father began in 1940s consisting of sisters Pervis, Yvonne, Mavis and Cynthia however Cleotha was a vital component, defining herself by being the "strong, silent type," said Carpenter.

"When she was young they used to call her granny because she acted like a granny in terms of being wise and always sure of the best thing to do," Carpenter said.

The group began as their father played a guitar while teaching his children gospel songs at their home in the evenings. Then the group was proficient enough that they were invited to perform at churches on the South Side.

"I credit Pops' guitar and Cleedy's voice with making our sound so different," Mavis Staples said. "Her high voice -- Pops would take her to a minor key a lot. A lot of singers would try to sing like her. Gladys Knight's background singer (in the Pips), William (Guest) would tell Cleedy, 'I'm trying to sound like you.' Her voice would just ring in your ear. It wasn't harsh or hitting you hard, it was soothing. She gave us that country sound. The way we sang was the way Pops and his brothers and sisters would sing down in Mississippi. Those were the voices they would use to sing after dinner out on the gallery."

Mavis Staples shared that she just finished her second record with Wilco's Jeff Tweedy and she will dedicate it to Cleotha's memory.