A beautiful and vibrant light was taken from our world far too soon on March 25th, 2025. Dee Wayne McBee Jr. peacefully joined his beloved mother, and many others who welcomed him. Dee faced his final battle with the same unwavering strength that defined his life, all while continuing to share his cherished art with the world—a testament to his enduring passion and resilience.
Dee had a deep love for art. He was proud of his artistic creations, always willing to paint anyone and anything. His canvas was not always the standard type. He painted on shoes, recycled wood, walls, and had some of his art pieces made into shirts and bags. A good friend would regularly say, “Dee IS art.” When spending time with him, one could find themselves entranced by the tattoo work that covered his earthly vessel. His artwork had a deeper meaning, as Dee was always on a journey for depth and passion in this world.
Dee was so much more than his art, though. He was intensely compassionate, empathetic, and an intuitive person whose ambitions were immeasurable. He loved people, he loved his work, and he loved to expand his knowledge. In the last year of his life, Dee became a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) at Segue. He generously shared his stories with his peers, offering guidance and inspiration as they navigated their own journeys through life. Dee longed to keep an open dialogue with loved ones and allowed people to talk with him about their own struggles at any time.
In his work as a CPSS, Dee was often advocating for his art students because he wanted them to be heard. He never judged and always had open arms. He desired to understand others so they never felt alone. Dee was vulnerable enough to co-facilitate “Hearing Voices” peer groups at Segue, using his experience to catapult others' healing. Dee was so adored by many and will continue to be an inspiration to those who have encountered him.
At Dee's request, his family will hold a celebration of Dee's life at Art 634, a place that served as his second home for almost half his life. Please save the date of July 19th, 2025 and join us in your finest tie-dyed attire from 12p to 5p to honor his legacy. In addition to wearing tie-dye, please feel free to bring a piece of cloth or thread to add to a community weaving project taking place during the event thanks to Justine Melville. Cloth/thread will also be available on-site.
At the celebration of life, Dee's family will showcase and will be selling Dee's artwork. All proceeds will be donated to Segue Inc. to fund the art program that brought him immense joy during his final year. Dee helped individuals express their trauma through art, and motivated them to live their best life. We are committed to preserving his program and supporting those he helped. In his honor, a bench will be placed at each of his two favorite locations, Art 634 and Segue Inc.
This celebration is an opportunity for the community that loves and misses Dee to come together to honor their dear friend. Please check back to this page for more information on the great contributions being made to create a meaningful event for Dee and those he loved.
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