by T R Causay
Legendary singer and R&B legend Eddie Levert is mourning yet another loss in his family: the passing of his youngest child, daughter Ryan Levert, who reportedly passed away at the age of 22.
After reports were making their way on social media with the sad news, it was confirmed by Carlysia Levert, the daughter of Eddie’s late son Gerald Levert. She shared some photos in her Instagram Story of Ryan with the caption, “Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers for my family. please send extra love up for my papa and nana.” She also reposted a post from the page The RNB Talk Show that stated that Ryan passed after a battle with lupus. Ryan was featured in a fun podcast, The Levert Opinion, with her father and grandson LeMicah (Gerald’s son).
Industry insider, Donnie Simpson also confirmed the news.
“I was heartbroken to learn that Eddie Levert’s 22-yr-old daughter, Ryan, passed from Lupus this weekend. Every parent’s greatest fear is the loss of a child and this is the third time Eddie has had to deal with this unimaginable pain.”
“I’m so sorry Eddie, but I know how strong your faith is and I know that even with this loss, your faith will remain unshaken. May God’s comforting hands bring you and your family Joy in the morning. 
RIP Ryan”
Eddie Has a Series of Deaths in his Family
Eddie, known for his vocal talents with the O’Jays, has dealt with immense loss over the years. As mentioned, Gerald, known for singing with Levert and LSG, passed away abruptly in 2006. He was 40. Eddie’s younger son, Sean Levert, passed away in 2008 at the age of 39.
Not to mention that Gerald and Sean’s mother, Martha LeVert also died in 2020. Carlysia was also the one who broke the news.
Her post read:
Martha and legendary O’Jays singer Eddie Levert were married in 1966. Together they had sons Eddie and Sean, and daughter Kandice. Martha was described in Eddie Levert’s book with Gerald, I Got Your Back, in the following way: “She’s petite, and soft, and exudes the spirit and resilience of a woman six feet tall.” She and Eddie later divorced and he remarried, wedding Raquel Capelton.
Eddie First Thought He was Being Punished with Death Around Him
Amidst what some may call “extreme unluckiness”, Eddie makes one thing clear: “If it wasn’t supposed to be, then it wouldn’t have happened.” But this doesn’t eliminate his confusion. “I wish I could tell you that I had a sense of why, but I don’t…I still wonder: Was it something I did?” After Gerald passed, to avoid dwelling on the loss, Eddie threw himself into his work – performing with and even releasing a grammy-award-winning album with the OJays.
But when Sean passed, Eddie had to take a break. He credits his wife at the time for keeping him grounded. “Her stability helped me get through all of that. She’s been a rock for me, a real live crutch I can lean on. She helps keep me focused. She says that I still have a purpose here, that I still have things that I have to do.” Also, Eddie supported himself by thinking positively. “I lost two sons. It’s not trivial. But compared to somebody who lost their whole family – do you understand? – I was left with something.”
When asked about Eddie Levert, Stevie Wonder said, “His tenacity is really important. He has made a choice, through all of everything, to live and do the very best that he can do. You can wallow in your pain, or you can celebrate the blessings that you’ve received. He’s one who chooses to do the latter.”
Eddie is also the father of Kandice Brooks, who he shares with the late mother, Martha.
