Vesta Williams, born Mary Vesta Williams on December 1, 1957, in Coshocton, Ohio, was an American singer-songwriter known for her soulful voice and powerful four-octave vocal range.

Her father was a disc jockey, and her family moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s, where she and her three sisters appeared on the television show "Jack and Jill" as "The Williams Sisters."

She returned to Ohio for a while but came back to Los Angeles to pursue a solo career. She started as a backup singer for artists like Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Sting, and Anita Baker before landing a recording contract with A&M Records. Her debut album, "Vesta," was released in 1986 and featured her first top 10 R&B hit, "Once Bitten, Twice Shy."

Her career continued to flourish with the release of her second album, "Vesta 4 U," in 1988, which produced top 10 R&B hits like "Sweet Sweet Love," "4 U," and her signature song, "Congratulations." Despite never having any albums certified gold or top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, she scored six top 10 hits on the US Billboard R&B chart from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. Her third album, "Special," was released in 1991 and included the title track, which became her highest-charting song on the R&B chart at #2.

In addition to her music career, Vesta Williams also appeared in movies and television shows, including "Mississippi Burning" (1988), "Posse" (1993), and "Soul Man" (1986).

She struggled with obesity in the 1990s but managed to lose over 100 pounds, becoming an advocate for the prevention of childhood obesity and juvenile diabetes. She was also known for her work as a radio personality, co-hosting a morning show on KRNB in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Her best songs include "Once Bitten, Twice Shy," "Sweet Sweet Love," "Special," and "Congratulations." Her music continues to be celebrated for its emotional depth and vocal prowess. Although she passed away on September 22, 2011, due to complications from an enlarged heart, her legacy lives on through her timeless music and contributions to the R&B genre.