Inez Andrews, affectionately known as the High Priestess of Gospel, and the Songbird, died on the afternoon of Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at her home in Chicago. Andrews was 83 years old and had been receiving treatment for colon cancer. Andrews was born Inez McConico on April 14, 1929 in Birmingham, Alabama. In 1957, James Cleveland met Andrews in Nashville, TN, while Andrews was in the Gospel Harmonettes substituting for Dorothy Love Coates. Cleveland notified Caravans leader, Albertina Walker, about Andrews' powerful voice, encouraging Walker to successfully recruit Andrews to join the Caravans. A year later, Andrews led the group on their legendary hit, "Mary Don't You Weep". For 54 years, "Mary Don't You Weep" was arguably her most recognized, most recorded, and most requested song. Andrews left the Caravans in 1962 to lead her own group, the Andrewettes. Andrews returned briefly to the Caravans in 1966 and departed the group again in 1967 to go solo. During the 1970s and 1980s, Andrews recorded solo albums, garnering the crossover song "Lord, Don't Move the Mountain", and recording tunes such as "Stranger in the City" and "Just for Me."
Information about services for Inez Andrews can be found below:
Musical
Salute
Thursday,
December 27, 2012 – 7:00 P.M.
Funeral
Service
Friday,
December 28, 2012 – 10:00 AM Visitation
11:00
AM Service
All services will be held at:
Apostolic Church of God
6320
South Dorchester Avenue Chicago,
IL 60637
(773) 667-1500
(773) 667-1500
Dr. Byron Brazier, Pastor
Andrews will be greatly missed.
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