Country singer known for duets dead at 86

Melba Montgomery, a country singer known for her duets, died at the age of 86.

Montgomery, who sang with the likes of George Jones, Gene Pitney and Charlie Louvin, died after a long fight with dementia, according to her daughter Melissa Solomon Barrett.

Solomon Barrett confirmed the news in a Facebook post on Jan. 15. 

“It is with great sadness that we announce our family has lost our mother, Melba Montgomery Solomon,” the post reads. “She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister to my uncle, sister-in-law to my aunts and aunt to my cousins. …

“We know mom has been waiting to hold dad for over 10 years. We will provide visitation and funeral arrangements as we learn more in the coming days. Thank you for loving our mom as much as we have. She was an incredibly talented, kind and generous woman.”

Montgomery, who was born in in Iron City, Tenn., in 1938, was raised in Florence, Ala..

Her big break came in 1963 when George Jones brought her to United Artists.

According to PEOPLE, the pair had several hits including 1963′s “We Must Have Been Out of Our Minds.” There was lso 1963′s “Let’s Invite Them Over” and “What’s in Our Heart,” 1972′s “Party Pickin.’”

Montgomery also scored hits with Charlie Louvin, including 1970′s “Something to Brag About” and “Did You Ever,” as well as 1965′s “Being Together,” which she sang with Gene Pitney.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.