Ms. Ida Mae McBeth

Obituary Ida Mae McBeth was born on November 28, 1952, to the parents of Jessie and Elvira Williams. She was the fourth child out of five. She attended the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools and graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1971. She was baptized at an early age at Olivet Institutional Baptist Church by Rev. O.A. Crenshaw. By the age of five Ida knew she wanted to be a singer. She began singing in the church choir and would often go with her brother, Henry Briscoe when he preached, and she would sing. She was provided early exposure to a variety of talented vocalist by her mother. These singers included such greats as Nancy Wilson, Arthur Prysock, Nat King Cole, Bill Withers, Gladys Knight and Sarah Vaughan. As a child, Ida took an active part in the music program of her church along with school choirs and dance bands. Her professional singing career began at the age of 16. After graduating from high school, however, Ida was undecided about a career in music, so she enrolled at Kansas University to study nursing. In 1972, Ida’s desire to be a singer outweighed any previous doubts about a career as a musician. She followed her aspirations and left college to join Dick Halligan (“Blood, Sweat & Tears”) and soon recorded her first album in Los Angeles. Ida moved to California in 1973, allotting herself six months to attain her goals. Within four weeks of her arrival, she was booked to sing six nights a week at a nightclub in Bel Air. Over the years, Ida McBeth has received many honors and awards. In 1984, she was named by the Kansas City-based International Jazz Hall of Fame as both “Best Female Jazz Vocalist” and “Entertainer of the Year.” In 1990 Kansas City Mayor Richard Berkeley awarded her a special proclamation designating April 27, 1990 as “Ida McBeth’s 20th Anniversary Day.” And also in 1990, Ida was named as one of Kansas City’s “People of the Year” by Ingram’s Magazine, Bronze Sidewalk Medallion Award Honoree, American Jazz Museum Walk of Fame, Kansas City, MO, 2017, Lifetime Achievement Award, American Jazz Museum, Kansas City, MO., 2016, “Most Favorite Kansas Citizen”, The Kansas City/Lawrence Area Music Awards 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, “Best of Kansas City: Entertainment & Culture”, The Note, KC Pitch, 1990-1996“One of 100 Most Influential African-Americans”, KC Globe, 1992 One of Kansas City’s “People of the Year”, Ingram’s Magazine, 1990, “Ida McBeth’s 20th Anniversary Day: April 26, 1990”, Kansas City Mayor Richard Berkeley, “A Uniquely Kansas City Entertainer Award”, The Squire, 1988 “Best Female Jazz Vocalist”, “Entertainer of the Year”, Kansas City International Jazz Hall of Fame, 1984. Most recently, Ida’s outstanding achievements have included performing the national anthem for the presidential nomination of Al Gore at the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, Kansas City’s birthday bash at Arrowhead Stadium with Kenny Rodgers and Walter Cronkite, as well as performing at the Smithsonian Institute in 2001. Ida was Crowned Queen of the Kansas City, Kansas Blues Street Festival for 2005 and given the key to the city. And she was voted “Best of R&B / Soul” in the Pitch Readers Poll for both 2004 and 2005. Never one to rest on her laurels, Ida McBeth gives much of her time and talent to various charities and community services. She has worked with the American Cancer Society, the Nova Center for autistic children, and the Stop Violence Coalition, and the American Diabetes Association to name but a few. After, some 30 + years and several albums later, the critics still laud the talents of Ida McBeth. The New York Times applauded her “technique, taste and sass… her precise intuition, guts and raw confidence.” And Ida’s lithesome vocals continue to embrace the subtleties of jazz, pop, blues and soul, both in her home base of Kansas City and on the road. Ida’s dynamic and magical style is like a light that shines brightly in the world of music, a light that grows constantly brighter with the passage of time. Ida McBeth is still known as song stylist extraordinaire. Ida passed away on the morning of March 1, 2023, after an extended illness. She was preceded in death by her father and mother; husband, Roy Searcy, brothers, Henry Briscoe and Cleveland McBeth. She leaves to cherish her precious memories: one son, Jason Searcy of Kansas City, MO; brother, Ronnie (Connie) Williams of Long Beach, CA, sister, Estella Taylor, St. Joseph, MO, sisters-in-law, Bulah Briscoe, Kansas City, KS and Regina McBeth, Kansas City, KS, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many, many friends in the Jazz community and across the United States and the world. A Celebration of Life followed by a Jam Session will be held on Sat, March 11, 2023, from 1 pm - 4 pm at the historic Gem Theatre located at 1615 E 19th Street KCMO in the historic 18th & Vine district. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 13, 2023, 11:00am at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church 2310 East Linwood Blvd. KCMO. Interment: Highland Park Cemetery, KCK. Visitation will be from 10 am - 11 am at the church. Service conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared our website. All monetary donations can be sent to Wyandotte West P.O. Box 9094, 1310 N. 78th Terrace KC KS 66112- 9498. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ms. Ida Mae McBeth, please visit our floral store. Read More

Ms. Ida Mae McBeth

November 28, 1952 - March 1, 2023