Traci Braxton, the singer and younger sister of Toni Braxton who appeared on reality show 'Braxton Family Values,' dies at age 50 of esophageal cancer

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Singer and reality TV show star Traci Braxton, sister of singers Toni and Tamar Braxton, died on Friday at age 50 after silently battling cancer.

The singer and reality star had been quietly battling esophageal cancer throughout the past year, TMZ reports. Worry about the star came after she posted a picture at her son's wedding in July, where fans pointed out her dramatic weight loss. The star received so many comments regarding her weight loss that she turned the comments off and later deleted the post. The picture, however, still remains on her son's page. 

Her husband announced her death to TMZ on Sunday, saying: 'We have come to a time where we must inform the public that after a year of privately undergoing a series of treatments for esophageal cancer our beloved Traci Braxton has gone on to glory.'

Traci Braxton (pictured in 2013) the sister of singers Toni and Tamar Braxton, died on Friday at age 50 after battling esophageal cancer 

 Tracy's son Kevin Surratt Jr. shared a loving photo hugging his mother, possibly as she was in the throes of her illness

Traci's sister Toni Braxton shared her sad news in an Instagram post on Saturday morning featuring a black-and-white photo of her sisters

She was reportedly joined by her sisters and her mother in her final moments. 

Braxton had been joined by her famous sisters on Braxton Family Values, which she appeared on for its full run from 2011 to 2020.

Last year, Toni had announced that the show would return for an additional season after moving from its original network We TV to a new channel, but those plans fizzled out last month, with Traci's sister Towanda Braxton confirm that the show was done for good last month. 

Like her sisters, Traci was also an accomplished singer who scored a modest hit with her 2014 single Last Call, which preceded her debut studio album Crash & Burn.

Although Traci was a late bloomer with her solo singing career, she wasn't limited to a single medium. She also worked as an actress, playing one of the top-billed roles in the 2018 movie Sinners Wanted. 

Braxton had been joined by her famous sisters on Braxton Family Values, which she appeared on for its full run from 2011 to 2020 (pictured L-R: Tract, Trina, Towanda, Tamara, Toni and Evelyn Braxton in 2013)

Sister act: Traci's music career kicked off in 1989, when she and her sisters scored a record deal as The Braxtons, though the group didn't last long after sister Toni went solo (pictured L–R: Ashlee, Traci, Trina and Towanda Braxton)

Traci's husband Kevin (pictured together) announced the news to TMZ on Saturday 

More recently, she voiced the announcer on the 2020 TV movie The Christmas Lottery.

Traci's sister Toni Braxton shared her sad news in an Instagram post on Saturday morning featuring a black-and-white photo of her sisters.  

'It is with the utmost regret that we inform you of the passing of our sister, Traci,' she wrote in her caption. 'Needless to say, she was a bright light, a wonderful daughter, an amazing sister, a loving mother, wife, grandmother and a respected performer. We will miss her dearly.

Concern for the star sparked in July when she posted a picture of herself and her family attending her son's wedding (pictured). Fans commented on her dramatic weight loss so much the star turned the comments off and later deleted the post 

'Traci passed this morning as the snow was falling, our angel is now a snowflake.'

She asked for privacy as they 'plan to send her home with love, celebrating her life,' while noting that they were 'family forever.'  

Tracy's son Kevin Surratt Jr. shared a loving photo hugging his mother, possibly as she was in the throes of her illness.

'When I heard the news about my mother being sick first thing she said was "I’m going to fight and beat this." She fought to the end and today she’s at peace,' he wrote.

'I love my mother forever and this hurts so much but I’m at peace knowing she’s isn’t in pain anymore.

'I love you ma, I’m going to miss you,' he concluded.

Fans and celebrities alike flooded social media with tribute posts to the star, with singer Halle Bailey writing: 'Oh no. Rest in peace Traci Braxton.' 

Model Briana Roy also wrote: 'Rest In Peace Traci Braxton. Sending my condolences to the Braxton family.' 

Comedian Rickey Smiley wrote with a sad face emoji: 'Rest in peace. #TraciBraxton.' 

The executive producer of Sherri, featuring Sherri Shephard, wrote: 'Saddened by the passing of Traci Braxton. I’ve known she was quietly battling cancer for a while & the truth is, God gave her more time than the doctors had projected. My prayers for Traci’s immediate family & all of The Braxtons! A true loss for them. #TraciBraxton #BFV.' 

Tributes poured in for the star with many saying she was like family and sending love to the family

A fan thanked the star for being the 'being an epitome of black girl joy,; writing on Twitter: '[I thank Traci] for lighting up every room with her infectious laugh. For being authentic and true to herself. For actualizing her dreams in real time. For always trying to pull her sisters together in love, positivity, and harmony.'

Another said it was like losing family: 'Losing Traci Braxton feels like losing an auntie. We love that family yall, and I thank Traci and the Braxtons for being so raw and selfless with her precious family time for us as black people to feel seen, heard and understood through their show. Prayers to The Braxtons.'   

One fan wrote: 'I love all the Braxtons and this one hurt. Rest in peace Traci Braxton.' 

'Sending love to my favorite sisters. RIP Traci Braxton,' another wrote. 

A different fan criticized others for slamming the stars weight last July in the wedding photo, writing: Traci Braxton never [publicly] announced that she was battling cancer for a year...She posted a [picture] last year after losing weight [and] people criticized her so much so that she turned her comments off...STOP JUDGING PEOPLE!! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT [THEY'RE] BATTLING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.'  

Traci's music career kicked off in 1989, when she and her sisters scored a record deal as The Braxtons, though the group didn't last long after sister Toni went solo.

The group later reunited while working as backup singers for Toni, but Traci left in the mid-1990s to start a career as a youth counselor.

In 2011, she reunited with her sisters on their reality series Braxton Family Values, and she would also be seen singing backup at their concerts sporadically in subsequent years.