Billie Jo McCarty

Billie Jo McCarty. 88, a lifelong resident of Abilene, Texas, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully Wednesday, October 18, 2017. Born in Abilene, Texas on April 12, 1929, Jo was the daughter of Laura (Sanford) and Frank Griffin. She married Troy Donald McCarty in Hawley, Texas on September 19,1946, following his discharge from the Navy after WWII. She was a devoted wife to her husband and mother to her three daughters. After raising her girls, Jo worked for Dr. Jose Guerra for sixteen years before her retirement in 1989. She was a longtime member of Grace United Methodist Church in Abilene, having been active in both the Spirit Group and GLOW Group at the church. Family meant everything to her, which she consistently conveyed in her love and support throughout her lifetime to her parents, sisters and brother, husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Just her greeting you with her typical "Darlin" reminded you just how much you were unconditionally loved. Jo was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Troy McCarty on January 11,1985; cherished daughter, Donna Fowler on February 21, 2009; her parents; two sisters, Frankie Hodge and Margaret Brecheen; and a brother, Ed Griffin. Survivors include two daughters, June Sanders of Austin, and Brenda Reedy and husband Tom of Denton; three grandchildren, Leigh Cerda of Austin, Shawn Sanders of Kyle, TX, and Grant Reedy of Boise, Idaho; and three great-grandchildren, Lara Cerda, Tucker Reedy, and Avery Sanders. Cherished memories will live on in all who loved her and most importantly, were loved by her. "To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die." Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 21st at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, located at 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. The funeral service will immediately follow at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel officiated by Pastor Stephania Ann Gilkey. Burial will follow at the Abilene Municipal Cemetery, Cedar Hill Section, where she will lay for eternity next to her beloved Troy. Memorials may be made to Rescue the Animals SPCA, 4620 North 1st Street, Abilene, TX 79603, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, National Parkinson Foundation, or a charity of the donor's choice. The family expresses sincere gratitude to Hendrick Hospice Care for the compassionate, loving care provided for their dearly loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Jo McCarty.