Betty Faye McCarra

Betty Faye passed away March 14, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. Services will be held Monday March 18, 2024 at Webb & Stephens Funeral Home Downtown. Visitation will be 12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will follow at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Paul Raley will lead the services assisted by Chaplain Gary Morris. Burial will take place at Magnolia Cemetery.

Betty Faye Garrett was born in Lauderdale, MS to Eugene and Fredonia Garrett on January 7, 1941. She was the only surviving girl in a family of six children losing a sister, JoAnne, at birth. Having four brothers: Roy, Leon, Cotton, and L.A., she spent most of her time around boys. The only girls she hung around were her cousins: Peggy, Ernestine, Pansy, and Dorothy. Betty Faye was twelve years old when she met Archie "Billy" Ray McCarra. The East End Boys and the Tuxedo Boys were in constant battle with each other, especially over the girls. Since her brothers were East End Boys and Billy Ray was a Tuxedo Boy, they were lifelong rivals. At the age of thirteen, Betty Faye’s heart was won by Billy on a playground in the summer of 1954. When Billy was seventeen, he received a draft notice and enlisted into the Air Force. Betty Faye wrote him letters every day. While Billy Ray was serving his country, Betty Faye worked after school for a local wholesaler, Annie Abraham, to purchase dresses at discount prices because of her love for clothes. She hesitantly let her sister-in-law Sharlene, friend Patsy, and others borrow her beautiful dresses. After service, Billy came home, and they married at the age of seventeen and twenty-one. Soon afterwards, Betty Faye went to work at Cinderella Slipper shop and her love of fashion continued as she managed many other Meridian Icons such as Regent’s Sportswear, The Junction, Lerner’s, McRae’s Men’s Dept., Shoe Town, Lauderdale County Co. Op Clothing Dept., and Simply Fashions. The two love birds had three girls, Debbie, Sharon, and Donna, early in their marriage which lasted 66 years. She became “Mamaw” at the age of 38 and had 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Betty Faye possessed a remarkable ability to keep everyone in line while nurturing a deep love for her family. She endured many family vacations with her children and later grandchildren, not necessarily for her but to make her family happy. Betty Faye, as a working woman, didn’t have many hobbies, but she did enjoy making floral arrangements, doing sewing alterations for family, and keeping up with loved ones daily by phone. After retirement, Betty Faye and Billy did everything together, including watching old westerns, Green Acres at 8:30 every night, and Joel Olstein religiously. They cooked and hosted every single holiday meal until 2 years ago due to a decline in her health. Betty Faye, a loving wife, a gracious Mama, and a “one of a kind” Mamaw is loved and will be missed tremendously.

Betty Faye McCarra is survived by her loving husband, Archie "Billy" Ray McCarra. Two brothers: Roy S. Garrett and Leon Garrett (Beverly). Sister-in-Law's: Jean Garrett and Yvonne Garret. Three daughters: Debra "Debbie" Faye Linton (Dennis), Sharon McCarra, Donna Kaye Baxley (Michael Goetz). Six grandchildren: Chris Linton (Kim), Brittany Crapps (William), Ryan Renfrow (Tuesdie), Daniel Baxley, Jeremiah Baxley, and Kaley Shannon. Nine great-grandchildren: Hannah Faye Linton (Spencer Dickerson), Drew Linton, Rylie Renfrow, Maddox Renfrow, Ayana Baxley, Bryson Baxley, Colton Baxley, Joshua Baxley, Aubrey Kaye Baxley, and many nieces and nephews. 

She is proceeded in death by her Father, Eugene Garret; Mother, Fredonia Garrett; Brother's, Alvis Eugene "Cotton" Garrett; Lamar Alton "L.A." Garrett; Sister-in-Law, Sharlene Garret; Grandson, Blake Renfrow.

Pallbearers will be Chris Linton, Dennis Linton, William Crapps, Michael Goetz, Drew Linton, Ryan Renfrow and Spencer Dickerson. Honorary Pallbearers are Jeremy Baxley, Daniel Baxley, Blake Renfrow (from Heaven).

Honorary Pastor: Roy S. Garrett 

A special thanks to Dianne Ridout and Cathy Corella for loving Betty Faye like your own mother.