Laura McCarty

Laura McCarty, 58, passed away of a heart attack at her home in Decatur, Georgia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Henry and Mae Thomson, and her husband, Phillip McCarty.

Laura was a 1988 graduate of Wofford College and earned a Master's degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Georgia. She dedicated her career to the Georgia Humanities Council, where she served for 30 years, culminating in her role as president before retiring in 2024. She played a pivotal role in strengthening the National History Day program and supporting numerous humanities projects across Georgia. In 2009, she authored a biography of Coretta Scott King, reflecting her deep admiration for King's legacy.

A lifelong United Methodist, Laura was actively involved in many churches throughout South Carolina as part of a ministerial family. Most recently, she was a devoted member of North Decatur United Methodist Church, where she held various leadership roles and contributed to the church community.

She is survived by her sisters, Rebecca Blake and Mary Jane Thomson; brothers- and sisters-in-law Mike and Sherri McCarty, David McCarty and Marion Barnes; nieces and nephews Mary Grace Blake, Robert Blake, Ted Blake, Kelly Swanton, Hannah Griffin, and Abbey Walker; as well as numerous loved ones from the Thomson, Blackwell, and McCarty families.

A memorial service will be held on February 15, 2025, at 10 a.m. at North Decatur United Methodist Church. The service will also be livestreamed on the church's website. Memorial contributions may be made to the Georgia Humanities Council, North Decatur United Methodist Church, or a nonprofit organization of choice.