Yoshiko H. McCarthey

Yoshiko Hokama McCarthey passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning of May 18, 2026. She lived 86 years on this earth. 55 of those years have been in the United States. She is affectionately known as Myga by her grandchildren and Yoyo by her friends.

Yoshiko was born October 25, 1939 in Okinawa, Japan to her mother Usa Hokama and father Koke Miyagi Hokama. She is one of 9 children. Yoshi left her family in September 1971 with her husband Earl McCarthey and their older daughter Vickie Lea. She never felt the need to return to her homeland after learning of the passing of her parents. There are no known living siblings from the 3 living she left behind in 1971. The others had perished either due to war, accidents, or illness.

Yoshiko was a survivor of the last battle of World War 2, the Battle of Okinawa. She was 5 years old and recalled the sounds of bombs all around as she and her family fled to the southern region of the island. She recalled crying for her mother in the crowd of people as she was responsible for only herself and her blanket. After the War and Battle were called to peace, Yoshi recalled becoming ill and having to be ushered to an American military medic tent. There she realized the dream to come to America. Even though she nor her family understood the English language, the universal language of a smile and chicken noodle soup was easy to translate. She knew that one day she would come here to live and thrive. She did so while being married to Earl in 1969 in Okinawa and leaving in 1971 with Vickie and having her baby daughter Karen Kay in 1974 in Junction City, Kansas. The family traveled to Germany in 1976 and returned to the States and settled in Weaver, Alabama near Fort McClellan in 1979.

She lived in Weaver as a single mother and was employed with Tyson Foods for almost 18 years and was recognized as one of their most productive employees. She retired in 2007 and made habit of drinking coffee, caring for her lawn, cooking and spending time with her dogs Casper and Kasey. She had a profound love for Alabama Football and especially Nick Saban, her number one man after Jesus. In 2024 Yoshi moved to The Village at Cook Springs to be closer to her family.

Yoshiko is survived by her two daughters Vickie Padgett (Terry) and Karen (Kris Cardin) McCarthey; granddaughters Shaye Wooten (Blake), McKenna Padgett and Mallory Padgett and one great granddaughter. She is preceded in death by her parents and 8 siblings and her son-in-law Sidney Milner.

Yoshi’s family thanks everyone who touched her life and all the time spent to care for her and her unique needs. She loved her room and the people at The Village at Cook Springs. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating treats, hygiene products and time to the residents at the Village at Cook Springs.

Her service will take place Friday, May 22, 2026 at The Chapel at The Village at Cook Springs. Family greeting time will begin at 1:30 pm with her memorial service to follow at 2 pm. There will be refreshments of cookies and coffee following the service in the common area adjacent to The Chapel.. Special thanks to Kilgroe Funeral Home of Dignity Memorial and Pastor Billy Abrams of Cedar Grove Baptist church for officiating.