Carolyn Ruth Jackson McGehee

Carolyn Ruth Jackson McGehee, 79, of Summit, passed away May 25, 2026. Visitation was held on May 29, at Hartman Jones Funeral Home from 9AM until 9:30AM. Graveside services followed at Whittington Cemetery beginning at 10AM with Dr. Larry LeBlanc officiating. Carolyn was born August 4, 1946, in Summit, the second child of Frank Ward and Earline Jackson. She was a graduate of North Pike High School in 1965 where she was a basketball star, not to mention softball. After graduation she furthered her education, becoming a licensed cosmetologist. She "did hair" as she would say for many decades finally moving Carol's Beauty shop to her home. After cutting her days to 3 days a week she would get up at sunrise to work making sure her ladies get to work by 8. She loved her ladies and they became a part of her family. After retiring, she continued her cosmetology at Hartman Jone's providing her service to so many families. She would tell so many stories over the years about her and her friends riding the train from McComb to New Orleans on the weekends. Apparently, she rode on the back of Elvis's motorcycle at Graceland, which she swears she had picture of her on the back of the motorcycle with Elvis until "your daddy made me throw it away." Not to mention she also had dinner one night with Bocephus but of course no picture to document that either. Those who know her will say you do not have to wonder what she is thinking. She says, if it comes up, it comes out. She lived life to the fullest. After her husband, Billy, passed in 2007 she started her travels. She has traveled the country with her girl group we call the Merry Widows, traveling on mission trips, of course their yearly Gatlinburg stay, and their cruises to Mexico and Alaska are just to name a few. Her time with "the ladies" meant the world to her. She loved the zip lines, horseback rides, dining, and just seeing the country. She loved this group so much and made sure to take pictures on those trips so we couldn't doubt her on those stories. Years went by as she worked as a Pink Lady at SMRMC. She absolutely turned that auxiliary around, between the jewelry sales she commissioned, to the scholarships she awarded, those years were here pride and joy. She met so many friends and accomplished so much while volunteering eventually serving as President before the hospital closed the gift shop doors. She eventually purchased a home on Black River Lake which became her getaway. She loved sitting in her recliner watching out the bay window or rocking on the patio watching boats. She made so many friends in Monterey which still call and check on her today. She looked forward to her many Pecan trees there. She annually made us pick up pounds upon pounds of her precious pecans and bring them back to pick out and shell. We all watched them in the freezer for years just taking up space, but she said, "I have them if I need them." Yes, you do mama, yes, you do. She slowed down a bit after her stroke in 2021. She couldn't travel as much as before but we made sure she was still mobile traveling to grandkids' ballgames, eating out, shopping, and riding the golf cart around the neighborhood to check up on things or us to be exact. After the stroke, we tried letting her drive the golf cart, while supervised, she pulled the electric line out of the garage to the shed. That was the last time she drove it or better yet, allowed to drive it. There will never be another Carolyn, nor would we want it to be. She knew what she wanted and she was not questioned. She spoke her mind and she said what she felt no matter if you liked it or not. She was a Christian woman who loved her husband of 40 years and missed him every day after his passing. She loved God, family, life, traveling, pajamas, night-time eye mask and her Merry Widows, these of course are in no certain order. She loved her kids, grand/great grandkids so very much. We are all by no means perfect, but she loved each of us unconditionally and loved us more each day. We will be forever grateful for the life she provided us and will be blessed with all the crazy memories we all hold dear to our heart. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank Ward and Earline Jackson; her husband of 40 years, Charles William McGehee, "Billy"; her grandson, Ty Ford McGehee and his mother Valarie McGehee; her brothers Donald and Ricky Jackson. Survivors include her children, Missy McGehee, Mandy Bryant (Donnie), Bill McGehee (Emily), and Zachary McGehee (Miranda); 8 grandsons, Gary, Gage, Jackson, Tayden, Paxton, Logan, Lawson and Tucker; 3 granddaughters, Baylee, Bella and Corbi Jo; 2 greatgrandchildren, Brynnlee and Braxton Havlin; her sister Audrey Calbert; as well as many bonus grandkids, nieces and nephews that she loved so much. Pallbearers were Jackson, Tayden, Paxton, Lawson, Logan and Tucker. Honorary pallbearers were Gary, Gage, Donnie Bryant, Garrett Ratcliff and Tyler Howell. As hard as it is for us to write our own mother's obituary, we want to share with you a few of her final words with her family Monday, which was appropriate in mamas perfect timing "Memorial Day": 1. I LOVE YOU 2. BE SWEET 3. KEEP MY GRASS CUT and 4. I LOVE YOU STINKY BUTT. Again, in no certain order.