Carroll Brackett McCartha

Margaret Carroll Brackett McCartha, lovingly known as “Prissy” to her family and friends, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family.

Carroll was born on December 12, 1940, in Anderson, South Carolina to Margaret Harris Brackett and Glenn Brackett. An only child, she enjoyed a wonderful childhood and was cherished by her parents and grandparents, Mama and Daddy Harris and Mama and Daddy Brackett. She was truly the pride and joy of her family.

Carroll left home to attend college at Columbia College in Columbia, South Carolina where she met the love of her life, Joseph Walter McCartha. Who she affectionately called “Mackey”. They were married on October 26, 1960 and shared 65 wonderful years together. They welcomed two children, Cameron Leigh McCartha and Joseph Walter McCartha II, and built a life filled with love, laughter, and adventure. She loved her children adoringly and unconditionally. She loved spoiling her grandchildren and great-grand children no matter the occasion.

Over the years, the family lived in several places on their adventures together but eventually planted roots in Arlington, Texas. Carroll attended the University of Texas at Arlington and dedicated 29 years of service to the Texas Department of Human Services as the Program Manager before retiring in 2001.

Following retirement, Carroll and Joe made their home in Yantis, Texas, on Lake Fork. There, she became affectionately known as the “Queen of Yantis,” a title earned through the countless friendships she cultivated throughout the community. Carroll had a remarkable gift for making people laugh, offering sincere compliments, and making everyone she met feel like the most important person in the room. Her favorite thing to do was to be with her adoring husband and best friend who she lived life with side by side. She loved spending time with her family, fishing on Lake Fork, cheering on the horses at the racetrack, gambling and spoiling her beloved tabby cat, Jenny.

Carroll’s greatest gift was the love and support she gave so freely to others. She was a constant source of encouragement for her family and friends throughout every season of life. Whether offering a kind word, a listening ear, or unwavering support during difficult times, she always showed up for the people she loved. If Carroll loved you, you could count on her to stand by your side no matter what. Her loyalty, compassion, and generous spirit touched countless lives and created bonds that will endure for generations.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret and Glenn Brackett, and by her beloved grandparents.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 65 years, Joe McCartha; her children, Cameron McCartha of Grapevine, Texas, and Joe McCartha II (Summer) of Destin, Florida; her grandchildren, Tripp McCartha and wife Logan McCartha, Dylan Deutsch Highfill and husband Milt Highfill and Alec Deutsch and wife Jordan Paulk-Deutsch and her cherished great-grandchildren, Kade and Cooper Highfill, Memphis McCartha, and Collins Deutsch and son-in-law Darryl Deutsch.

The family is deeply grateful to, Janet, Carroll’s caregiver, for the loving care and companionship she provided to Carroll in her final days, until the very end.

Her legacy of love, kindness, strength, and devotion will live on forever through her family and all those fortunate enough to have known her.

Though many knew her as Carroll, to those who loved her most she was simply Prissy—a woman whose kindness, humor, loyalty, and love left an unforgettable mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Prissy will be remembered, adored, and loved forever by all who knew her. She had a rare ability to bring joy wherever she went, and she simply made the world a better place by being in it. Her absence leaves an immeasurable void, but the love she shared will continue to shine through the lives of those she leaves behind.

There will be a family celebration of life at a later date in lieu of a service.