‘At Last’ singer Etta James terminally ill, doctor asks for prayers

Blues singer Etta James, best known for classic songs like “At Last” and “Tell Mama,” is terminally ill and her live-in doctor is now asking for prayers. The 73-year-old has been in fading health in recent years.

James’s doctor, Dr. Elaine James, who is not related and has been the singer’s live-in doctor since March 2010, told the Riverside (Calif.) Press-Enterprise that James’s chronic leukemia became incurable two weeks ago. Elaine James told the paper that she finally released the information publicly to let the world know how she is doing.

“I am Southern and Christian and would just ask for the prayers of her fans and friends,” Elaine James said, adding that her fans “know she’s been sick, but not how sick.”

The Associated Press reports that James is also suffering from dementia and kidney failure. Her doctor told the Press-Enterprise that James is now limited in her communication to “uh-huh” and “no.”

According to TMZ, James was hospitalized back in May due to a life-threatening blood infection.

Elaine James made the comments to the newspaper following a hearing over the fate of James’s $1 million estate. Donto James, James’s son, would prefer to have a conservator taking care of her financial affairs rather than her husband, Artis Mills.

Here is a video of James performing her signature song: