Jimi LuAnn McCart

An Unconditional Loving Wife

Married for nearly 34 years, she was a wonderful and caring wife who always gave her full support to Rick & Kaylene before thinking of herself. Her homemade pies were absolutely the best they’ve ever eaten—baked with love and shared generously, just like everything else she gave of herself.

The Best Mother

Wisest and most selfless mother, always there for her daughter. Jimi was also Kaylene’s best friend, role model, and greatest encourager. Their bond was filled with laughter, adventures, deep conversations, and much more. Through her faith and example, Jimi shaped Kaylene into a strong, mature woman and a devoted believer in God.

A Follower of Jesus

Loves Jesus deeply; He was and still is the center of her life. Her personal relationship with Jesus was not only spoken, but seen in her everyday life and actions, touching all who knew her. Now, she is rejoicing in heaven.

Philippians 3:20-21

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

Live stream link down below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BstvjTIm7gs

“A Glimpse into Jimi’s Life”

Jimi LuAnn Reynolds was born in Findlay, Ohio, on December 16, 1961, to James and Ruth Reynolds. She was welcomed by her older sister, Terri, who would be turning 3 in March. Jimi Lu became a big sister to Kelli when she was three-and-a-half years old. In 1966, at the age of 5, Jimi and her family set off for Broomfield, Colorado, where her dad started a new job to fulfill her parents’ dream of living in Colorado. That dream was short lived, because after being there about a year, the company moved the family to Wappingers Falls, New York, which was followed by another move two years later, in 1970, to Yardley, Pennsylvania. In case you’re wondering, Jimi Lu’s dad worked for IBM – I’ve Been Moved - and the moves weren’t over yet. In 1974, Jimi Lu’s family moved to Woodbury, Connecticut, where Jimi Lu started 7th grade. Believe it or not, Jimi Lu continued in that same school system until she graduated from Nonnewaug High School in 1980.

Jimi Lu enjoyed singing in the high school chorus and playing saxophone in the band. Jimi Lu’s junior year of high school was highlighted by the family hosting Marit Heiene, an AFS (American Field Service) exchange student from Molde, Norway. That summer, the family embarked on a voyage in their Custom Cruiser station wagon adorned with wood paneling. Jimi Lu had grown up camping with her family, and that summer, they headed across the country to Oregon and then south along the Pacific Coast Highway to California, pulling their trailer and camping along the way, visiting many National Parks, hiking and soaking in the beauty and variety of nature in our country. Marit spent that year with the family, attending Nonnewaug High School with Jimi Lu and Kelli. As both Jimi Lu and Marit had warm, welcoming, and fun personalities, they got along well and developed a good friendship over the year.

Always the adventurer, after her junior year of high school, Jimi Lu journeyed to Sri Lanka as an AFS student and lived with a family there for the summer. The accommodations were somewhat primitive with no indoor plumbing, but Jimi Lu thoroughly enjoyed the experience. She developed a close friendship with her host family.

With never a dull moment, after Marit had gone back home to Norway, the family hosted another AFS exchange student for the following school year, this time a young man from Mexico. Again, Jimi was warm and welcoming toward Mephi Padilla. They participated in AFS and senior activities and graduated from Nonnewaug High School together in June of 1980.

After high school, Jimi Lu set off to attend Anderson College in Anderson, Indiana, majoring in English, putting her wit and prose to good use. Church was a regular part of Jimi Lu’s family life growing up, and she put her faith in Jesus as a child, and at Anderson College, Jimi Lu’s relationship with and love for the Lord deepened, and as she would testify, she was “filled with the Spirit.”

College did not curb Jimi Lu’s thirst for adventure, and after graduating in 1984, she backpacked in Europe for two months on her own, sometimes sleeping on the beach, sometimes on the side of the road.

After returning to the U.S., Jimi Lu intended to move to the Midwest to work at a ministry, but was invited by a friend to move to Southern California and very spontaneously said yes. She found a job and never looked back. She lived in Diamond Bar with a friend or two from college, and later started working for Pioneer Chicken, a fast food restaurant. While living in California, Jimi Lu dropped the “Lu” and started going by simply, “Jimi.” At some point, Jimi started working at Insight for Living, Chuck Swindoll’s ministry. She eventually landed a job with American Funds, where she did very well and worked her way up over a ten to twelve year period, using her gifts and talents.

In 1990, Jimi was invited by her friend Carolyn to a Bible study in the home of several young men. It was there that Jimi caught the eye of Rick McCart. They started off as friends enjoying many activities together, such as Bible studies, hiking, and mission trips to Mexico. In time, Rick formally asked Jimi if she would date him, and she readily said yes. After they had been dating for a time, Rick’s friend Dave suggested to Rick that he go to a Family Life Today Conference. Rick was hesitant, but eventually decided to go and asked Jimi to join him, even though he wasn’t contemplating marriage at that time. After deciding to go to the Family Life Today Conference, Jimi and Rick went to Mexicali on a mission trip. It was on that trip that the Lord spoke to Rick’s heart and he realized that Jimi would be his wife. They attended the Family Life Today Conference, and Rick proposed to her at the end of the weekend. Jimi and Rick were married on June 1st, 1991.

Jimi and Rick were not planning on having children, although in her heart, Jimi was open to the possibility. The Lord changed their heart on the matter, and in 2001, after being married for 10 years, Jimi and Rick received the exciting news that Jimi was pregnant. Kaylene Grace McCart was born on February 28, 2002. What an incredible blessing she was to them! Jimi was excited and dedicated to being a stay-at-home mom, so she quit her job with American Funds during her pregnancy. Her boss pleaded with her to not leave, but Jimi was resolute in following what she knew was the Lord’s high calling on her life to be a stay-at-home mom.

Jimi was a wonderful mom. She was very involved in Kaylene’s life. She led children’s Sunday school classes and taught children on Wednesday nights. She was always very creative and enjoyed doing arts and crafts with the kids. Jimi was involved in Kaylene’s elementary school, volunteering, going on field trips, and substitute teaching. Her commitment to and involvement in Kaylene’s life continued throughout the years, and they enjoyed a deep, close relationship.

The love and dedication Jimi lavished on her daughter was an outpouring of her commitment and service to her family. Jimi cultivated many expressions of care, ranging from making freshly baked pies to attending Christian conferences on prayer and healing with both Rick and Kaylene. Early in their marriage, Jimi bought Rick a kayak for Christmas which led to many outdoor adventures for the whole family. Jimi brought a sense of adventure to extended family gatherings as well. We never knew what to expect when Jimi showed up. From gift exchanges that she organized where she brought all the gifts to the family activities she created, such as her version of the Newlywed Game at our parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, the only guarantee was much laughter and joy all around. Generous of time and spirit, no act was too simple or moment too small for Jimi to use as an opportunity to love and care for her family.

In January of 2025, Jimi was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She trusted the Lord with this and continued to pray about everything, as she always did. She went to the hospital on April 6, and even there, demonstrated a gracious, kind spirit to her care givers. Having been moved to an Assisted Living Home, on Easter morning, April 20, with Rick and Kaylene by her side, the sun rising and the rays coming through the window, Jimi peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.