Isabel Russell McCarty

Isabel Russell McCarty, passed away peacefully Easter evening at her home surrounded by her family. She was 88. Isabel was a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral in Jackson, MS, and of Zion Episcopal Church in Manchester, VT.

Isabel was born in Mandeville, LA, on July 28, 1924. She grew up in Hattiesburg, MS. In the eighth grade, she and her family moved to Jackson, MS, where her father was expanding his grocery wholesale business. She was graduated from Central High School in Jackson, MS. She was graduated from Converse College in Spartanburg, NC, as an art major. After college, Isabel resided in New York, NY, for three years while working for Vogue magazine. In 1949, she was married to Bill McCarty, Jr. She has resided in Jackson, MS, from 1949 until the time of her death.

Isabel served on the Board of Directors of JFM, Incorporated. She served as a past President of the Junior League of Jackson. She was a member of “The Club,” the Sewing Club, the Elsinore Garden Club, the Mississippi Museum of Art, the Southern Vermont Arts Center, and several bridge clubs. Isabel perpetually enjoyed getting together with her friends, even after her stroke December 5, 2007. Her family and friends were constantly amused by Isabel’s marvelous wit and humor, including her stories of how the garden club doesn’t garden anymore, the sewing club doesn’t sew anymore, and the bridge club doesn’t play bridge anymore; these clubs simply enjoyed meeting and having lunch.

Isabel is survived by her children William B. McCarty III of Jackson, Harrison Russell McCarty and his wife Catherine of Ridgeland, and Beth McCarty Harris and husband Roy of Yazoo City; Five grandchildren: Helen E. Harris of Portland, OR, Harrison Russell McCarty Jr. of St. Francisville, LA, Catherine McCarty (Kitty) Bryant and husband Drew of Ridgeland, Ann Harris King and husband Nick of Yazoo City, and Dr. Laura Harris Thompson and husband Noah of Mobile, AL. She has four great grandchildren: Elle Bryant, Kate Bryant, McCarty King, and Virginia King. Also surviving her is her sister Emily Russell Clark of Madison and her sister-in-law Betty McCarty Edwards of Madison.

The family would like to thank the caregivers who became like family: Shirley, Betty, Dianne, Tanya, Ruby, Mary, Alfredda and most especially Vernon Evans and Larry Lee.

Visitation will be 5-7pm Wednesday April 3, 2013 at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home in Jackson. Funeral services will be 11:00am Thursday April 4, 2013 at St. Andrew’s Cathedral preceded by visitation in the Parish Hall at 9:30am. Burial will be in Lakewood Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to St Andrew’s Cathedral, Zion Episcopal Church in Manchester, VT, Mississippi Museum of Art, or Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester, VT.