Helen McCarty

Helen Marie Sansing McCarty, age 94, went to see Her Lord and Savior on January 12, 2025, at Trinity Place in Columbus, MS. 

Services will be held on Friday, January 17, 2025, at First Baptist Church on Bluecutt Road in Columbus. Visitation will begin at 10 am at the Church, with the service at 11 am. Burial will be held at Friendship Cemetery in Columbus immediately following the service. 

Kevin Cuthbertson will officiate, and Memorial Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements. 

Helen was born September 20, 1930, in Phoenix, Yazoo County, MS. She was the fourth of 5 children born to Cynthia Ann Chapman and James Earl Sansing. 

She grew up in South MS and graduated from Stringer High School in Jasper County, as Valedictorian. In high school, she was a cheerleader, played on Jasper County Girls all-star basketball team, and was editor of the school paper. She also met the love of her life there, Melton (Mac) McCarty.

While in college, Helen played tennis doubles, was editor of the college newspaper, majored in English Education, served on the executive council of the Baptist Student Union, and graduated Magna Cum Laude from William Carey University in Hattiesburg, MS.

Helen married Melton Lawrence McCarty June 17, 1951, at Eden Baptist Church, Stringer, MS and celebrated 68 years of marriage before Mac’s death in 2019. 

Helen moved to Fort Meade, MD army base with her husband during the Korean Conflict. While in MD, Helen taught high school and gave birth to their first child Cynthia Marie. After serving in the army, the young couple moved to Laurel, MS for work with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. While there, their second daughter Kimberly Ann was born. 

In 1958, Metropolitan moved the family to Columbus, where Carol Diane and Melton Lawrence, Jr. were born. 

Helen helped Mac build a successful independent insurance agency in Columbus, and she continued to work with him when he ventured into the real estate arena. 

When the McCarty’s moved to Columbus, they joined First Baptist Church. Helen was a faithful member from 1958 to 2025. She was active in various ministries: Director of the nursery for infants for over 40 years; Kids Growing in Christ; Girls in Action Director; pianist for 5-year-old choir; Women on a Mission; Director of the WMU; Love in Deed; prison ministry at Parchment Penitentiary. 

In September 2001, Helen was instrumental in starting Lowndes County School Prayer Walk, which is now an annual event. Helen was also a member of Les Amies Study Club, where she formed lasting friendships. The members did research on topics of interest to the group. Helen’s most memorable paper was on unsolved murders in Columbus that occurred in the late 1980’s. She hosted many church, family, and friend events in her home through the years. 

The McCarty’s second home was at Smith Lake in AL. “Momma Mac” loved playing games and putting together puzzles with all her children and grandchildren. Helen was also a fan of sending her children and grandchildren on scavenger hunts to find their Christmas presents.

She was preceded in death by her husband Mac and son, Melton L. McCarty, Jr., as well as parents and siblings, Janie Sansing Smith, James Earl Sansing, Jr., George Marvin Sansing, Edward Pierce Sansing.

Helen is survived by daughters, Cynthia M Hutchinson, Charlotte, NC; Kimberly M. Davis, Columbus, MS; and Diane M. Jackson (Bert), Ridgeland, MS. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Catherine H. Walker (Bradford), New Orleans, LA; Annah D. McWhorter (Wesley), Houston, TX; Helen H. Kernodle (David), Charlotte, NC; John Hutchinson, Jr. (KC), Nashville, TN: Caleb L. Davis (Amber), Summerdale, AL; Trey Jackson (Parker), Madison, MS; Natalie V. Davis, Lillian, AL; Chris Jackson, Homewood, AL; Hannah S. McCarty (Rae), Chattanooga, TN; Elizabeth Ann M. Williams (Reed), Nesbit, MS. Helen is also survived by 7 great-granddaughters and 9 great-grandsons. She is survived by her beloved sister-in-law and friend, Glaniece M. Roberts, Meridian, MS, and many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family wishes to thank all the kind caregivers, and Trinity Comfort Care, for their loving support to Helen over the last few years. 

Serving as pallbearers with be Helen’s grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made in Helen’s honor to The Lottie Moon Mission Offering  c/o First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 7580, Columbus, MS 39705, or a charity of your choice.