Detroit R&B-jazz singer Ortheia Barnes-Kennerly has passed

Sad to hear about the passing of legendary Detroit singer Ortheia Barnes-Kennerly. She died Friday in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, where she went for a performance.


Ortheia recorded in the 1960s for Detroit's Mickay Records and Coral Records. While never signing with Motown Records, she opened for a number of its stars, including Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight.

In the early 90's she owned a small club on 8 Mile where I worked for her as a DJ. I remember her as being a sweet person with a voice that could blow the doors off the place nightly.

RIP Ortheia.

Very sad news. She sang at my mother's funeral. RIP....

Very sad news indeed. She was a wonderful singer and wonderful person. I saw her many times in the 80s when she sang at Doug's Body Shop in Ferndale and her off-stage presence was warm and friendly as well.