Obituary for Mary Sue O'Neal McCarty
Mary Sue was born May 11, 1928 to James Franklin Hamblin and Frankie Pauline Kirkpatrick
Hamblin near Houlka, MS in Chickasaw County. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at
her home in Southaven, MS on February 9, 2022. She was 93 years old. Mary Sue leaves
behind two sons, William Frederick O’Neal (JoAnn) of Olive Branch, MS and Randy Bilbo
O’Neal (Kay) of Benton, AR as well as two daughters, Rebecca O’Neal Vanhoozer (John
deceased) of Southaven, MS and Jennifer O’Neal Sheppard of Hernando, MS. Mary Sue is
also survived by a stepdaughter, Patricia McCarty Hurdle, sixteen grandchildren, twenty six
great grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Lillian
Gertrude Fair of West Point, MS and Sarah Frances Brewer of Senath, MO. Mary Sue is
preceded in death by her parents, her first husband of 40 years, Bilbo O’Neal, her second
husband of 23 years, Errol (Dean) McCarty, her first born infant, Bilbo Jr. and her son James
Dudley O’Neal as well as eight of her brothers and sisters.
Mary Sue was the middle child of her family of eight sisters and three brothers. They grew up in
farming communities first in Chickasaw County and later near Sledge, MS. They worked hard
from a young age chopping cotton and running a farm alongside their parents. They were poor,
but there was never a shortage of love and FUN. The sisters learned to be very creative and
Mary Sue became a highly skilled seamstress, quilter, knitter, crocheter, doll maker, upholsterer
and all around handyman. She was also a great cook with desserts being her specialty
although everyone loved her Candied Yams.
Mary Sue married Bilbo and his two children at nineteen. They soon added more children to the
family and Mary Sue raised them all with her signature mix of fierceness, adoration, practicality
and humor.
Mary Sue worked for the William Carter Company for almost forty years, first as a seamstress
then later as a supervisor. She was always very proud of the quality and design of Carter’s
clothing and indeed no one in her family ever “stayed little until their Carter’s wore out”.
After Bilbo’s death in 1987 Mary Sue was blessed to reconnect with Dean McCarty who had
also grown up in Sledge. They eventually married and spent many happy years together
traveling, spoiling grandchildren and hosting company at their home in Southaven.
Mary Sue was often described as gracious, elegant, warm and beautiful. She made people feel
important and seen, but her true assets were her unwavering strength in the face of adversity
and her ability to take charge of any situation. Her entire family relied on her during challenging
times and she always rose to the occasion. She was powerful yet soft and had a wicked sense
of humor and a sly smile. She was fearfully and wonderfully made and achieved her purpose;
to bring love and light into this world.
The family will receive friends, Saturday, February 12th 6pm - 8pm with services being held Sunday, February 13th 2022 at 10am all at Hernando Funeral Home. Interment will take place at Longtown Cemetery, Longtown, MS.
www.hernandofuneralhome.com
662-429-5260
Hamblin near Houlka, MS in Chickasaw County. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at
her home in Southaven, MS on February 9, 2022. She was 93 years old. Mary Sue leaves
behind two sons, William Frederick O’Neal (JoAnn) of Olive Branch, MS and Randy Bilbo
O’Neal (Kay) of Benton, AR as well as two daughters, Rebecca O’Neal Vanhoozer (John
deceased) of Southaven, MS and Jennifer O’Neal Sheppard of Hernando, MS. Mary Sue is
also survived by a stepdaughter, Patricia McCarty Hurdle, sixteen grandchildren, twenty six
great grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Lillian
Gertrude Fair of West Point, MS and Sarah Frances Brewer of Senath, MO. Mary Sue is
preceded in death by her parents, her first husband of 40 years, Bilbo O’Neal, her second
husband of 23 years, Errol (Dean) McCarty, her first born infant, Bilbo Jr. and her son James
Dudley O’Neal as well as eight of her brothers and sisters.
Mary Sue was the middle child of her family of eight sisters and three brothers. They grew up in
farming communities first in Chickasaw County and later near Sledge, MS. They worked hard
from a young age chopping cotton and running a farm alongside their parents. They were poor,
but there was never a shortage of love and FUN. The sisters learned to be very creative and
Mary Sue became a highly skilled seamstress, quilter, knitter, crocheter, doll maker, upholsterer
and all around handyman. She was also a great cook with desserts being her specialty
although everyone loved her Candied Yams.
Mary Sue married Bilbo and his two children at nineteen. They soon added more children to the
family and Mary Sue raised them all with her signature mix of fierceness, adoration, practicality
and humor.
Mary Sue worked for the William Carter Company for almost forty years, first as a seamstress
then later as a supervisor. She was always very proud of the quality and design of Carter’s
clothing and indeed no one in her family ever “stayed little until their Carter’s wore out”.
After Bilbo’s death in 1987 Mary Sue was blessed to reconnect with Dean McCarty who had
also grown up in Sledge. They eventually married and spent many happy years together
traveling, spoiling grandchildren and hosting company at their home in Southaven.
Mary Sue was often described as gracious, elegant, warm and beautiful. She made people feel
important and seen, but her true assets were her unwavering strength in the face of adversity
and her ability to take charge of any situation. Her entire family relied on her during challenging
times and she always rose to the occasion. She was powerful yet soft and had a wicked sense
of humor and a sly smile. She was fearfully and wonderfully made and achieved her purpose;
to bring love and light into this world.
The family will receive friends, Saturday, February 12th 6pm - 8pm with services being held Sunday, February 13th 2022 at 10am all at Hernando Funeral Home. Interment will take place at Longtown Cemetery, Longtown, MS.
www.hernandofuneralhome.com
662-429-5260