Judith McCarty

Judith McCarty, 74, of Wichita, Kan., passed away November 20, 2022, at Via Christi St. Teresa’s Hospital. Born in Davenport, Iowa, on March 19, 1948, she graduated from Davenport Central High School in 1966 and attended Vennard College where she earned an associate of arts degree and met her husband and ministry partner, John McCarty. They were married on June 7, 1969. After seven years as evangelical methodist ministers in Lubbock, Texas, Assumption, Ill., Columbus, Ind., and Wichita, Kan., the couple began more than 30 years of service with the Salvation Army, commissioned as officers on June 11, 1978. They rose to the rank of Major while serving and ministering to the people of Columbia, Mo., Belleville, Ill., South Bend, Ind., Chicago, Ill., Waukegan, Ill., Indianapolis, Ind., Rapid City, S.D., Hutchinson, Kan., Kansas City, Mo., Hammond-Muenster, Ind., and Marshalltown, Iowa. They served both as pastors of the local church and coordinators of social service centers, as well as administrators of Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers before retiring to Wichita in 2013. Judith is survived by her husband and four children, James McCarty, Joy Kopacz, Katherine Newby and Kevin McCarty; two sisters, Becky Barr and Rachel Riley-Halliday; and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Joel Riley, and one grandson. A celebration of life service will take place at the Wichita West Orchard Salvation Army, 1910 South Everett, Wichita, Kansas 67213, on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please email your favorite story or memory involving Judith to majorjohn47@yahoo.com.