Carol Fran, the sassy singer, pianist and songwriter who performed for more than 70 years, died September 1 in Lafayette. A resident of the Amelia Manor Nursing Home since 2018, she succumbed to double pneumonia at age 87.

Variously labeled a blues, rhythm and blues, and swamp pop singer, Fran’s pure, piercing voice leapt to angelic highs and dropped to masculine lows.

“I’m a...