Wesla Whitfield (born Weslia Marie Edwards, September 15, 1947 – February 9, 2018)[1] was an American singer who recorded more than a score of albums and performed at Carnegie Hall and the White House, among other sites.

She studied at Pasadena City College and received a music degree from San Francisco State University.

"[3] Whitfield's initial public performances came when she was a singing waitress at a Shakey's Pizza restaurant.

[1] Trained as a coloratura soprano, in 1971 Whitfield began to sing in the chorus of the San Francisco Opera.

"[3] When she resumed performing, her husband carried her on stage to sit on a stool or chair because she thought her wheelchair would distract from her singing.

[6] A review in The San Francisco Examiner described the show as "An absolutely marvelous evening of musical theater.

[2] On February 9, 2018, Whitfield died of complications of bladder cancer at her home in St. Helena, California, at age 70.