Kay Riza McCarty

Derenda Kay Riza McCarty, 74, of Burleson, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on February 7, 2026, surrounded by love.

Kay was born on July 14, 1951, in Cleburne, Texas. She grew up with her two younger sisters, Tammy and Teresa, and an older brother, David. She graduated from Cleburne High School in 1969 and soon married her high school sweetheart, Richard McCarty.

As Richard was in the Navy, they began a life of adventure together that would last a lifetime. One of her favorite memories was living in Hawaii, a place she talked about with joy for the rest of her life. By age 20, while stationed in Oak Harbor, Washington, they welcomed their first daughter, Lisa Michelle. Three years later, Christina Lynn was born in Kingsville, TX, and later their son, Marcus Dax, was born in Oakland, California.

Kay spent more than 20 years working in education, mostly with Special Education preschool children. Caring for others was not just her job; it was who she was.

If you needed help, she was there. If you needed food, she made sure you ate. If you needed a place to sleep, her home was open. Kids, grandkids, family, and friends—it did not matter. She took care of people because that was simply how she loved.

Kay was a collector of memories in every sense of the word. She loved photography and scrapbooking, especially when it came to her kids and grandkids. Her walls were covered in photos, and if you ever opened her closet, you would find even more tucked away, because to her, you could never have too many memories of the people you love.

She loved to read and loved to travel, especially going on cruises with Richard and friends. She also loved her cars. First her teenage Mustang, then her precious Lincolns, which the grandkids knew to be very careful in, and later, her beloved pink Volkswagen Bug, Bella.

She enjoyed trips to the casino and loved the slot machines, but her happiest moments were usually the simplest ones, sitting at home with her grandkids, watching crime dramas, laughing, talking, and just being together.

She is survived by her loving husband, Richard McCarty; her children, Michelle McCarty Bickle, Christi Denson, and Marcus Dax McCarty; and her grandchildren, Lauren Brielle Bickle, Cameron Blake McCarty Denson, Dax Wylder McCarty, Grey Maddox McCarty, and Forrest Bodi McCarty.

She was preceded in death by her father, Warren Riza; her mother, Margie Nell Maddox; her stepmother, Kelly Riza; and her brother, David Riza.

Celebration of Life will be held during visitation on February 17, 2026, at 10:00 AM Lucas Funeral Home in Burleson, Texas, 518 SW Johnson Ave, Burleson, TX 76028. Graveside services will follow at 1:00 PM DFW National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX 75211.

In lieu of flowers or donations, the family asks that you take a moment to look at the people around you and realize how much you love them.