text: Singer Etta James, known best for her iconic recording of "At Last," is gravely ill, diagnosed with dementia and undergoing treatment for leukemia, according to court documents. 
   
   The 72-year-old Woodcrest resident's illness came to light as part of a civil case in Riverside County Superior Court in which Artis Mills, her husband of 41 years, is seeking control of more than $1 million of James' money. 
   
   Her son Donto James wrote in a court declaration that he does not object to money being released for her health care. But he is asking that it be overseen by a third party, "to avoid present and future family conflict and discrepancies." 
   
   A hearing is scheduled for Friday. 
   
   Neither Mills nor his attorney, Bettye Barnard, returned calls seeking comment. Reached by phone, Donto James declined to comment beyond his statements on the court documents. 
   
   The singer gave power of attorney to Donto, her other son Sametto James and Donto's wife, Christy James, in February 2008, according to court documents. Mills has challenged the power of attorney in court documents. 
   
   Mills filed for divorce in April 2008, but the petition was dismissed a few months later. 
   
   James, who merges blues, rock 'n' roll, gospel and jazz in her music, had an impressive string of hits throughout the 1960s, including the soulful "Tell Mama," "All I Could Do Was Cry," and "I'd Rather Go Blind." 
   
   In 1995, James penned an autobiography, "Rage to Survive," which detailed her life, including her drug addiction and rehabilitation. 
   
   James continued releasing music and toured the world, playing high-profile events such as the Playboy Jazz Festival. 
   
   She also battled obesity and had gastric bypass surgery in 2001. 
   
   Beyonce Knowles portrayed James in the film "Cadillac Records" in 2008. 
   
   James hasn't been on stage since suffering a urinary tract infection that led to sepsis in early 2010. 
   
   Dr. Elaine James, no relation to the singer, declared in the court documents that the singer has multiple medical conditions, including dementia, an organic brain syndrome and a recent diagnosis of leukemia. 
   
   The Beverly Hills doctor said she and other medical staff give James continuous medical care and supervision in the singer's home in the Woodcrest area, near Riverside. 
   
   Dr. James said the singer isn't able to sign her name and requires assistance with feeding, dressing and hygiene, but does recognize her husband and children. The doctor said James has been admitted to the hospital on occasion but returns home with round-the-clock care. 
   
   Mills said in court documents that his wife expressed that "if she ever became disabled, she did not wish to be placed in an institutional nursing facility as long as they had the money to keep her at home." 
   
   He is asking to move just over $1 million from three of his wife's accounts to a joint account with him or to him alone with James as a beneficiary of those accounts. He is also seeking the power to close those accounts and transfer the money into his name. In the court documents, he said the money would be used for care, maintenance and support of his wife. 
   
   Staff writer Richard K. De Atley contributed to this report. 
   
   Reach Vanessa Franko at 951-368-9575 or vfranko@PE.com ||||| Etta James Suffering From Leukemia, Dementia 
   
   Email This A court battle over the health and financial affairs of R&B icon Etta James has revealed that the 'At Last' singer is gravely ill with leukemia and is suffering from dementia, 
   
   
   
   Artis Mills, her husband of 41 years, wants control of the money, but son Donto James is asking the court to assign the duty to a third party, "to avoid present and future family conflict and discrepancies." 
   
   
   
   James has not performed on stage since early 2010 and caused a stir in 2009 when she went public with her displeasure that she wasn't chosen to sing at President Barack Obama's inauguration. Beyonce Knowles, who portrayed James in a 2008 film, sang 'At Last' instead. A court battle over the health and financial affairs of R&B icon Etta James has revealed that the 'At Last' singer is gravely ill with leukemia and is suffering from dementia, The Press-Enterprise reports. The news came to light in a civil case between the 72-year-old star's husband and her son, who disagree on who should manage more than $1 million that is being put away for James' home-health costs.Artis Mills, her husband of 41 years, wants control of the money, but son Donto James is asking the court to assign the duty to a third party, "to avoid present and future family conflict and discrepancies."James has not performed on stage since early 2010 and caused a stir in 2009 when she went public with her displeasure that she wasn't chosen to sing at President Barack Obama's inauguration. Beyonce Knowles, who portrayed James in a 2008 film, sang 'At Last' instead. 
   
   The singer's doctor declared in court documents that James has dementia, as well as an organic brain syndrome, and is currently receiving treatment for leukemia. Dr. Elaine James, no relation, said that James can no longer sign her name or feed and dress herself, but does recognize her husband and children.She receives round-the-clock care at her home in Riverside, Calif.In the documents, Mills stated that the primary reason he wants control of the funds is to fulfill his wife's wish not to live her final days in a hospital.According to Mills, James said that "if she ever became disabled, she did not wish to be placed in an institutional nursing facility as long as they had the money to keep her at home."The next hearing on the matter is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 14.Mills filed for divorce from James in 2008 but backed out a few months later.James is a legendary soul, blues and rock singer whose 1960s-era hits include 'Tell Mama,' 'All I Can Do Was Cry' and of course her signature song, 'At Last.'
target: – Legendary singer Etta James is suffering from dementia and leukemia, court documents show. The 72-year-old’s illnesses came to light during a civil case involving her husband, who wants control of more than $1 million of her money, and her son, who wants the money to be overseen by a third party. A doctor said James needs help to eat and dress, and can no longer sign her name. She suffered a urinary tract infection, then sepsis, early last year and hasn’t been on stage since, the Press-Enterprise reports. Click for more on her condition and the court case.