Hazel Ruth McCarthy August 31, 1931 - February 23, 2026

Hazel Ruth (Scott) McCarthy was born on August 31, 1931, in the family home next to County Line Bridge, in St. Clair County, Missouri, and departed from this life on February 23, 2026, at the age of 94, at her granddaughter Chelcie Kimzey’s home near Marshfield, Missouri. Throughout her life, she lived in only three homes, all within 20-mile radius.

In 1944, her parents moved from their home next to the river to a farm they had purchased four miles northwest of Lowry City. She attended grade school at Harris Bend and Valley Center. For her freshman and sophomore years of high school, she attended Mt. Zion Bible School, near Ava, Missouri, rooming with her younger sister, Ruby.

Around this time, she was swept off her feet by a dashing young man who lived on a neighboring farm and attended the same church. His name was Daryl Creighton McCarthy. They married on August 29, 1948, two days before she turned 17. After their wedding, her parents moved from the farm into Lowry, and Creighton moved in. They resided on the farm until 1975 when they built a home at the edge of Lowry City where she has lived ever since. As a couple they enjoyed close companionship marked with expressions of love throughout their 58 years of marriage. One thing was evident over all those years, they liked each other and enjoyed being together.

She gave her life to Jesus and was filled with the Holy Spirit at a young age. For her entire life she faithfully maintained her daily devotions—talking to Jesus and reading her Bible. Ruth lived her life by simple rules that worked beautifully: Serve God, work hard, love people.

She attended the Lowry City Church of God (Holiness) ever since her father started the church in 1944. She and Creighton built their life around the church, faithfully attending three times a week—Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday night prayer meeting, and every other time the doors were open. She served as the church secretary and treasurer for decades. She always had a head for numbers and could recite the birthdays of most all her family members and many others as well, right up until her passing. Even though she didn’t finish high school, she spent a lifetime learning and reading constantly, reading through stacks of books.

Ruth understood that serving God is more than going to church, it’s also bringing church with you wherever you go. She was known as a welcoming and gracious hostess. Her home was always open to family and guests, whether expected or not. She was happiest when her house was full. She was an amazing cook and entertained and hosted hundreds of people over her lifetime. She was especially famous for her sumptuous creamy mashed potatoes and her delicious, iced tea—sweet, of course.

She began working at Scott’s Stores, which her father and brother Don had just purchased, when she was 16. She worked there until she was 92. For the last several years she was the owner and sole proprietor and sold the store in 2024. She loved people and she loved helping people find what they needed so their lives would be that much better. Whether at the store, at home, at church, or at Landmark Café, she greeted everyone with a warm smile and a kind word.

She and Creighton enjoyed many road trips, especially with Arthur and Ellen Scott and Ruby and Murl Rice.

She loved and doted on her family, who loved and doted on her in return. She was preceded in death by her husband, Creighton, in 2006, her mother and father, her brothers Robert, Donovan, and Noel, her brother-in-law and sister-in law, Alden and Jerry McCarthy, and her sisters-in-law Ilah Scott and Loretta Scott.

She is survived by her three sons: Daryl (Teri), Paul (Melissa), Michael (Sandra); six grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, Daryl’s family: Lance (Jack, Kempis, and Athena), Lana and Kevin Eklund (August, Lydia, and Tristan); Paul’s family: Zachary and Erin (Lyla, Viola, Nolan, Noa); Tyler; Michael’s family: Josh and Allie (Colby Mae, Willa Ruth, Bear), and Chelcie and Kody Kimzey (Creighton); sister, Ruby Mays Rice; brothers, Harold (Philena), David (Thea); sisters-in-law, Joyce Scott and Betty Scott; cousins, a host of nephews and nieces, along with a whole community which she served for a lifetime.

Michael and Sandra faithfully and lovingly cared for her day after day during the past several months of poor health. For the final six weeks of her life here on earth, her granddaughter Chelcie and husband Kody cared for her around the clock, gently and lovingly providing all that she needed before Jesus took her to the home, He had prepared for her.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Gideons or Lowry City Church of God (Holiness) in care of Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home P.O. Box 384 Osceola, Missouri 64776