Roslyn Singleton, whose battle with cancer went viral nearly two years ago, has died, according to her husband, Ray Singleton. She was 39.
"Our wife earned her wings yesterday while peacefully sleeping right at home where she wanted to be," he wrote on Instagram.
"This road ahead is going to be INCREDIBLY long & difficult! She taught us all SOMETHING…She’s where we’re all trying to get one day so no need to be sad! Now we celebrate her legacy, her impact, her story & HER SPIRIT! She will LIVE FOREVER!!" he continued.
The couple first went viral after Ray posted a video of him serenading Roslyn before she underwent surgery for brain cancer.
The viral video led the local couple to be invited on the Ellen DeGeneres Show just a day before Valentine’s in 2020. During their time on the show, they were awarded $25,000, flowers and chocolate. Ray Singleton also was a contestant on "America's Got Talent" and sang the National Anthem at a recent Carolina Panthers game. Their story was also featured on the OWN Network's "Black Love" show.
Roslyn, who was a Navy veteran, had her first bout with brain cancer in 2013. She developed a rare form of brain cancer called glioblastoma, which is uncommon in younger people. The average age of patients is 65.
She believed she might have developed cancer after exposure to toxic burn pits in Afghanistan, according to a story about her treatment posted by Novant Health. She credited her faith and the people around her for helping her through the diagnosis.
"Whenever there's something going on in my life, God always puts the right people just right in front of me to make it a little easier," she told Novant Health.
Over the years, the couple documented their experience with cancer on social media, from surgical scars and hospital gowns to hospice care. But they posted just as many photos of singing, dancing and laughter.
News of Roslyn's death brought an outpouring of condolences from family, friends, celebrities and others inspired by their story.
Actor Neil Brown Jr. captured a common sentiment that many shared across social media platforms, writing on Instagram: "Dear God she lived magnificently!! You guys were and are a beautiful inspiration of what God intends for us all."
