Jeannie McCarty

Jeannie Ellington McCarty was born February 26, 1957 to Ed and Mariella Ellington and proud brothers Pat and Pete Ellington. She died peacefully surrounded by loving family February 27, 2026 one day after her 69th birthday. Jeannie attended Rice School from first grade through junior high. She attended high school at Blooming Grove High School where she was chosen as FFA Sweetheart and was Valedictorian of her class> After high school Jeannie married Steve McCarty to whom she remained married for 39 years. They immediately moved to Germany as Steve was in the Army and stationed there. They spent two years in Germany where Jeannie did a lot of growing up and learned independence as they lived off post, she did not speak German, and Steve was absent most of their time in Germany on field training exercises. Jeannie established a legacy of service at an early age. As a child she made runs with the Chatfield Volunteer Fire Department. As an adult she served as President of that organization following in the footsteps of her father who was the department’s first President and her brother who served as president as well as serving for 30 years as Chief. In addition, Jeannie served with the Rice Volunteer Fire Department while working at the First State Bank at Rice where she was honored as Firefighter of the Year. She was also active in the Navarro County Volunteer Firefighter Association where she served as president. She was certified as a CPR instructor through the Red Cross and taught classes at many volunteer fire departments and other organizations. Jeannie also often participated in Fire Prevention Week programs at schools and frequently wore the “Sparky the Fire Dog” costume while presenting those programs and on other occasions such as local parades. In addition, she got her fire instructor’s certification and taught at the county fire school. Jeannie was active in the Chatfield Methodist Church, where as a child she had perfect attendance in Sunday School for over ten years. She later served as church Secretary/Treasurer as well as other posts. Other community activities included serving as president of the Chatfield Cemetery Association and serving on the Board of Directors of the Chatfield Community Center. She worked for the American Red Cross for over seventeen years, most of which was spent as a Disaster Program Manager. As a result, along the way, she made many friends, including firefighters – both volunteer and professional, law enforcement personnel, emergency management personnel, Red Cross personnel and volunteers, and touched the lives of many other people in the process, Jeannie was very proud of her Red Cross Family and felt great pride in being able to help people when they needed it the most. The family would like to give special thanks to our cousin Marianne Ellington Kreason who remained by Jeannie’s side day and night during her last days. In addition, we would like to thank Gail Christie, Nancy Sykes, Charlotte Loper and Hollie Ellington for their invaluable help with the arrangements for Jeannie’s services. We would also like to thank the LVAD teams at Baylor Dallas and Baylor Scott and White Temple for their help and encouragement. In addition, we would like to thank the staff at Divida Dialysis Center for their help and patience. Lastly, we would like to thank the wonderful staff in the STC Wing at Baylor Scott and White Temple for their help and compassion. God Bless You All! In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Jeannie’s memory to the following: Chatfield Methodist Church, PO Box 76, Chatfield, Tx 75105 Chatfield Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 95, Chatfield, Tx 75105 American Red Cross 320 E Reick Rd, Tyler Tx 75703. (Online) www.redcross.org

Jeannie McCarty

February 26, 1957 - February 27, 2026