Esiyah Dixon-Waheed, 26, was known for her powerful voice and traveled the country sharing her talent.
"She was like a light to everybody, and it didn't matter if she was from Camden, New Jersey," said her mother, Mahasin Waheed-Parker.
Dixon-Waheed died from severe injuries sustained in a head-on collision in Ralls County, Missouri, on July 24.
According to court documents, 61-year-old William Strausbaugh was allegedly drunk and driving the wrong way when he caused the crash.
Three others in the vehicle with Dixon-Waheed were injured.
Prosecutors have charged Strausbaugh with multiple counts, including driving while intoxicated and driving with a suspended license.
"She was a success, and she had work to do, and he took all of that from us," Waheed-Parker said.
She added that her daughter was on a church retreat, strengthening her relationship with God, when her life was tragically cut short.
Now, the family is focused on raising awareness about the dangers of drunk driving.
"Knowing her and the type of person she was, she would want us to come together as a family and fight this together, make sure she gets justice," said Dixon-Waheed's cousin, Falontah Waheed-Tay.