Joyce E. Mccarty

Joyce Ellen Pults Brink Schroeder McCarty died March 29, 2018, at Menorah Medical Center. The daughter of Henry Carel and Ethelyne Hegenderfer Pults, she was born December 29, 1934.

Joyce grew up on a dairy farm and was active in 4-H from age nine until she graduated from Horton High School in Horton, Kansas, in 1952. In 1951, her 4-H dairy judging team placed second in the nation, missing first place by only two points. She graduated from Cottey College in 1954 and from Kansas State University in 1956. She completed graduate work in education through K-State and Emporia State University.

Joyce married John Jackson Brink at Horton United Methodist Church on June 9, 1957. The couple had three children, Susan, Tom and Philip. "Jack" was killed in an accident in July 1971. Joyce married Doyal Schroeder November 21, 1973, and became stepmother to his two children, Richard and Christine. Doyal died in a car accident in 1996.

Besides being a public school vocal and elementary teacher in Kansas and Nebraska for 26 years, Joyce taught piano for 47 years, giving many children their start as pianists. Many of her students have said she was their favorite teacher. She retired from teaching elementary school for USD #430 in Horton in 1996.

After moving to Leawood, Kansas, in 1997, Joyce met Ed McCarty. They married January 2, 1999. In their nearly 20 years of marriage, Joyce and Ed traveled internationally, enjoyed great adventures in their motor home and reveled in their children and grandchildren.

Joyce was a licensed Kansas funeral director and a member of the Kansas and National Funeral Directors Associations. She operated two funeral homes after Doyal's death. She was a member of PEO for more than 60 years, an active member of Blue Valley Baptist Church and a former organist and choir member. As a volunteer at St. Luke's South Hospital's gift shop, she was a warm and joyful presence.

Joyce was fiercely loyal to her family, an eternal optimist and her family's and friends' greatest cheerleader. Her unwavering Christian faith in every phase of life, even through the sudden loss of two husbands, was an example that inspired a legacy of faith in her children and others.

Joyce's survivors include her three children, Susan Parker (Marshall), Overland Park, Kansas; John Thomas Brink (Mindy), Brighton, Colorado; and Philip Brink (Suzanne), Erie, Colorado; four stepchildren, Richard Schroeder, St. Joseph, Missouri; Christine Montalvo (Hector), Fort Mills, South Carolina; Tammy Culver (David), Merriam, Kansas; Tim McCarty (Tracy), Merriam, Kansas; a foster son, Dr. Randy Cottingham (Caroline), San Antonio, Texas; eight grandchildren, eight stepgrandchildren and 11 foster grandchildren.

Visitation will be on Saturday, April 7th, from 10:00 - 11:00 AM at Blue Valley Baptist Church - Ridgeview Campus, 1325 S Ridgeview, Olathe, KS 66062.  Funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM.  Burial will be at Horton Cemetery in Horton, KS at 3:00 PM.

Memorial donations in Joyce’s name may be made to Blue Valley Baptist Church, 8925 W 151st Street, Overland Park, KS 66221.