Cheryl McCarty

Cheryl Barnes McCarty was born on March 5, 1953, to Bernice Lover Barnes Phillips. She was the cherished granddaughter of William B. Lover and Bernice Hillhouse Lover and the beloved great-granddaughter of Helen “Mamee” Lover, all of whom preceded her in death. Cheryl was a gentle, steady light in every room she entered. She never met a stranger, and people were naturally drawn to her warmth and genuine smile. Doing for others was her greatest delight. If you mentioned that you liked something, she remembered—and more often than not, it would quietly show up from her, given with love. When she saw someone in need, she would stop, speak a kind word, and slip a few dollars into their hand. Cheryl believed that every person had value and treated everyone with dignity and respect. 

As a wife, Cheryl was devoted to her husband, Dr. Jimmy McCarty. When he pursued his master’s degree at Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University), she worked there as secretary to the Assistant Dean of Education, standing beside him and supporting his dreams. Later, when he studied at Virginia Tech, Cheryl again used her talents to serve as secretary to a Distinguished Professor of Statistics. Wherever life took them, Cheryl created a home grounded in encouragement, loyalty, and love. Cheryl was a proud, loving mother and an absolutely priceless grandmother and step grandmother. Her grandchildren were her heart. She wanted them to call her “Nanna,” and when the oldest grandchild couldn’t quite say it and began calling her “Anna,” the name stuck. From that moment on, she was “Anna” to all of them—the one they could count on, confide in, and be lovingly spoiled by. She even grew to have a special love for Sheeba the granddog, whose presence brought her comfort and a sense of calm, especially near her untimely end. Education was one of Cheryl’s greatest achievements and passions. 

As a first-generation college student, she paved the way for those who would come after her. She attended Wallace Community College and Troy University in Dothan, earning her Bachelor of Science degree and  later receiving her Professional Educator’s Certificate. She went on to teach in the Dothan City Schools system at Honeysuckle Middle School, Southside Elementary School, and Cloverdale Elementary School. Her students knew she expected their best, and she worked tirelessly to help them reach it—often staying late to  prepare lessons and materials. She embraced technology, loved learning new things, and was famous in the family for saying, “You can’t break it, so let’s see what it can do.” At home, she was the go-to “tech support” for          computers, phones, and televisions. Cheryl also had a deep love for music and dancing. She enjoyed many different genres and loved to move when a good song came on. At her retirement party, she proudly led the line for the Electric Slide, smiling and dancing at the front—perfectly capturing her spirit: full of life, fun, and unafraid to celebrate every moment. 

Cheryl leaves to cherish her memory her loving and devoted husband, Dr. Jimmy McCarty of Dothan, Alabama; two sons, Kenya McCarty, ChFC (Patricia) and Casey McCarty; three grandchildren, Zachary, Kiley, and Savannah McCarty (mother: Joy); and two step grandchildren, Solana Escoffery and Sayidana Escoffery. She also leaves her devoted brother-in-law Everett (Rose) McCarty of South Carolina; her brothers and sisters: Ronald (Gail) Lover of Houston, Texas; Kenneth Barnes of Decatur; Keith Barnes of Decatur; Helen (Edward) Stallworth of Lowndesboro, Alabama; Susan Barnes of Mableton, Georgia; Angela (Fernando) White of Atlanta, Georgia; Toni Barnes of Montgomery, Alabama; Linda Barnes of Montgomery, Alabama; and Christopher Phillips of Montgomery, Alabama. She was preceded in death by Andre’ Foster and Alfreda McHenry. Cheryl is also remembered with love by a host of special nieces and nephews, along with many other nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and countless dear friends. She also leaves her beloved Sheeba the granddog, who brought her comfort and smiles. The eulogy will be delivered by Marsha Evans and Dr. Nicole Ross. Cheryl’s life was a gift to everyone who knew her. She was an amazing mother, a trailblazing educator, and a priceless grandmother and step-grandmother. Her legacy of love, service, faith, and family will live on in all who were blessed to be part of her life. Though she is no longer with us in body, her voice, her laughter, and her example will remain in our hearts forever. 

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