Who Was Peg McKamey Bean? Age, Wiki, Biography, Husband, Kids, Family & Death

Peg McKamey Bean, who passed away on December 27, 2023, at the age of 85, was a renowned Southern gospel singer and the founding member of The McKameys, a family group based in Clinton, Tennessee.

She was known for her spirited style on stage, her signature handkerchief, and her powerful rendition of the group’s hit song “God On The Mountain”. She was also a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, who dedicated her life to spreading God’s message of love and hope through her music.

Early Life and Family

Peg McKamey was born on June 14, 1938, in Clinton, Tennessee, to the Rev. Willis and Ethel McKamey. She was one of 12 children and grew up in a Christian home where gospel music was a part of everyday life. Her mother played the banjo and her father was an ordained minister who planted and pastored many churches and preached at revivals. Peg and her sisters, Dora and Carol, learned to sing in harmony at an early age and formed a trio that sang in their father’s church and at local events.

In 1957, Peg met Ruben Bean, a young man who played guitar for the trio. They fell in love and married two years later, on August 29, 1959. They had two daughters, Connie and Sheryl, who also joined the family’s musical ministry as they grew up. Peg and Ruben were married for 64 years, until Ruben’s death on March 25, 2024. They were a loving and supportive couple, who shared a passion for gospel music and a commitment to their faith.

Peg McKamey Bean Wiki/Bio

Musical Career and Achievements

Peg and her sisters continued to sing as The McKameys and began to travel to different states and perform at various churches and revivals. They recorded their first album, He Didn’t Let Us Down, in 1981, and soon gained popularity and recognition in the Southern gospel industry. They signed with Horizon Records in 1992 and released several albums and singles that topped the charts and won awards. Some of their most notable songs include “Right On Time”, “I’ve Won”, “Unspoken Request”, “There Is Jesus”, and “God On The Mountain”, which became their signature song and a gospel classic.

Peg was the lead singer and the spokesperson of the group, and her distinctive voice and personality captivated the audiences. She was known for waving her handkerchief as a sign of praise and victory, and for delivering heartfelt testimonies and messages of encouragement. She was also a prolific songwriter, who penned many of the group’s songs, such as “Do You Know How It Feels”, “A Borrowed Tomb”, and “The Other Side”.

The McKameys were one of the most successful and influential groups in Southern gospel history, having performed for over six decades and recorded over 50 albums. They were honored with 16 No. 1 singles, the most by any artist in the history of Southern Gospel music. They also received numerous Singing News Fan Awards, including Favorite Mixed Group, Favorite Song, and Favorite Album. In addition, Peg and Ruben were both recipients of the Marvin Norcross Award and the Norcross/Templeton Award, respectively, for their lifetime achievements and contributions to gospel music. In 2016, Peg was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame, joining her husband who was inducted in 2007.

The McKameys retired from full-time touring in 2019, after playing their last concert in Knoxville, Tennessee, on November 23. However, they continued to make occasional appearances and record new music. Their latest album, The Greatest Hits Live, Vol. 2, was released in October 2023 and featured some of their most beloved songs recorded live.

Nationality and Ethnicity

Peg McKamey Bean was born on June 14, 1938, in Clinton, Tennessee, United States. She was an American citizen by birth. Her ethnicity was white, and she belonged to the McKamey family, which had a long history of gospel music and ministry in Tennessee.

Physical Stats

Religion

Peg McKamey Bean was a devout Christian, who grew up in a religious household. Her father, the Rev. Willis McKamey, was an ordained minister who planted and pastored many churches and preached at revivals. Her mother, Ethel McKamey, played the banjo and taught her daughters to sing in harmony. Peg and her sisters, Dora and Carol, formed a trio that sang in their father’s church and at local events.

Peg’s faith was the foundation of her life and her music, and she dedicated her career to spreading God’s message of love and hope through her songs and testimonies. She was a longtime member of Second Baptist Church in Clinton, Tennessee, where she attended and performed regularly.

Net Worth and Income Sources

Peg McKamey Bean’s net worth and income sources are not publicly disclosed, but it can be estimated based on some factors. She was a part of The McKameys, one of the most successful and influential groups in Southern gospel history, having performed for over six decades and recorded over 50 albums. The group was honored with 16 No. 1 singles, the most by any artist in the history of Southern Gospel music at that time. They also received numerous Singing News Fan Awards, including Favorite Mixed Group, Favorite Song, and Favorite Album. 

In addition, Peg and her husband, Ruben Bean, were both recipients of the Marvin Norcross Award and the Norcross/Templeton Award, respectively, for their lifetime achievements and contributions to gospel music. In 2016, Peg was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame, joining her husband who was inducted in 2007. The group retired from full-time touring in 2019 but continued to make occasional appearances and record new music. Their latest album, The Greatest Hits Live, Vol. 2, was released in October 2023.

According to a website that tracks the net worth of celebrities, The McKameys had a net worth of $1.5 million as of December 2023. However, this figure may not be accurate or reliable, as it is based on various sources and assumptions. Peg McKamey Bean’s net worth may be different from the group’s net worth, as it may depend on her personal assets, expenses, and investments. Moreover, net worth is not the same as income, as it reflects the value of one’s assets minus liabilities, not the amount of money one earns or spends. Peg McKamey Bean’s income sources may include royalties, sales, and fees from her music, as well as other ventures or endorsements. However, these sources may vary over time and may not be consistent or stable.

Husband and Kids

Peg McKamey Bean was married to Ruben Bean, a guitarist and vocalist who played for The McKameys. They met in 1957, when Ruben started playing guitar for the trio of sisters, and married two years later, on August 29, 1959. They had two daughters, Connie and Sheryl, who also joined the family’s musical ministry as they grew up. Connie Fortner and Sheryl Farris were also members of The McKameys and sang in harmony with their mother.

Connie’s husband, Roger Fortner, played guitar for the group, and their son, Eli Fortner, was also a guitarist and vocalist for the group. Peg and Ruben were married for 64 years, until Ruben’s death on March 25, 2024. They were a loving and supportive couple, who shared a passion for gospel music and a commitment to their faith.

Personal Life

Peg was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, who loved her family dearly. She was survived by her two daughters, Connie Fortner and Sheryl Farris, who were also members of The McKameys; her son-in-law, Roger Fortner, who played guitar for the group; her grandson, Eli Fortner, who was also a guitarist and vocalist for the group; and her sister, Carol McKamey Woodard, who was a former member of the group. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ruben Bean, who died in 2024; and her sister, Dora McKamey, who was also a founding member of the group.

Death Cause

Peg passed away on December 27, 2023, in the early morning hours, after suffering a stroke on December 11. She was 85 years old. The news of her death was announced by the group on their Facebook page, where they wrote: “We want to let everyone know that early this morning Ms. Peg went home to be with her Lord and is now in the arms of Ruben. We appreciate all the prayers, love, and support you have shown to her and our family during this time. We will miss her greatly, but we know we will see her again. Please continue to pray for us as we go through this difficult time.”

Peg’s funeral service was held on December 30, 2023, at Second Baptist Church in Clinton, Tennessee, where she was a longtime member. She was buried at Woodhaven Memorial Gardens in Powell, Tennessee, next to her husband.

Peg’s legacy lives on through her music, her family, and her fans, who remember her as a faithful servant of God, a gifted singer and songwriter, and a loving and joyful person. She touched many lives with her songs and her testimony and inspired many people with her faith and her courage. She was a true legend of Southern gospel music and a blessing to the world.

A Family Affair

The McKameys started as a trio of sisters: Dora, Peg, and Carol McKamey, who grew up singing in church with their father, a Christian minister. They began performing at local revivals and churches and soon attracted the attention of out-of-town evangelists who invited them to sing in other states.

In 1957, Ruben Bean joined the trio as a guitarist and married Peg two years later. Their daughters, Connie and Sheryl, also joined the group as they grew up, replacing Dora and Carol who retired in 1972. The group’s lineup changed over the years, with Carol, Bonnie White, Roger Fortner, and Eli Fortner (Connie and Roger’s son) joining and leaving at different times. The final lineup consisted of Peg, Ruben, Connie, Sheryl, Roger, and Eli.

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