Bessie Smith
1894–1937 (age 43)
Blues singer
Biography
Bessie Smith was born in 1894 and became one of the most influential blues singers of her era, earning the title "Empress of the Blues." Her powerful voice and emotional depth revolutionized American music and left an indelible mark on blues, jazz, and popular culture.
She was laid to rest at Mount Lawn Cemetery in 1937, remembered not only as a legendary performer but as an artist whose courage and talent broke barriers and inspired generations of musicians to follow.