CULLMAN, Ala. – Former Lynyrd Skynyrd backup singer Deborah Jo White, who performed under her maiden name “Jo Jo Billingsley,” has died at her Cullman home after a bout with cancer. She was 58 years old.
A spokesman for Cullman Funeral Home confirmed her death Thursday and said arrangements are pending.
White toured with Lynyrd Skynyrd for three and one-half years before departing the Florida-based group in August 1977. She was invited to rejoin the group two months later when she warned the band about having a dream about its plane crashing. It did on Oct. 20, killing lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and others.
She later left rock music, becoming a minister and Christian singer in Cullman.
The band’s current lead singer, Johnny Van Zant, said it was tough to hear about another member of the Skynyrd family dying.
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