fans around the world are celebrating the life arpd the voice of aretha franklin. queen of soul, yesterday s singer s longtime publicist announced she died of advanced pancreatic cancer surrounded by family and friends in detroit. had a career spanning six decades and known for songs like respect, i say a little prayer and you make me feel like a natural woman. barbara siggers franklin and civil right, grew up in detroit and got her start singing during her father s church services. debuting her first album songs of faith at 14 years old. over her career she won 18 grammys awarded the president s medal of freedom and became the first woman inducted into the