Estelle Rountree McCarthy

McCARTHY, Estelle Rountree, died at dawn on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010. Ms. McCarthy is survived by her husband, Charles R. McCarthy; her sister, Mattie Moore Rountree Barr (Richard); nieces, Leah Iglehart (Michael) and Elizabeth "Libba" West (Mike), Rachel Getman; and nephews, James Richard Barr Jr. (Suzanne) and Robert M. Rountree IV. Also very close to Estelle were her great-nieces and great-nephews, Grace Iglehart, Mike Iglehart, Matt Barr, James Barr and Hunter West. She was preceded in death by a sister, Beba Rountree; and a brother, Bob Rountree III. Ms. McCarthy was born August 12, 1930, in Valley Grande, Ala., the daughter of Robert Morrison Rountree Jr. and Onezie Hardy Rountree. She attended grade school and high school in Selma, Ala. In 1952, she graduated from Judson College in Marion, Alabama, where she served as president of her class for four years. After graduation from Judson, Estelle taught choral music in the schools of Bay Minette, Alabama. In 1954, Ms. McCarthy enrolled in the Southern Presbyterian Church General Assembly's Training School (ATS) for Lay Workers. Later the ATS School was renamed the Presbyterian School of Christian Education, and still later it was incorporated into Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Va. After graduation, Estelle worked in campus ministry at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Va. Estelle then began work with the Board of Christian Education in Richmond, Va. In that role she gained national recognition for innovative teaching methods in religious education. She collaborated in the writing of numerous books and pamphlets relating to Christian education. In 1971, Ms. McCarthy married Charlie and moved to the Presbytery staff in Washington, D.C. She quickly gained a reputation for helping churches to pool staff and to coordinate efforts to produce stronger programs throughout the Presbytery. In 1972 she co-authored a book with her husband called "The Power Picture." It dealt with motivation and power in the political order available to people who had little money, few connections and strong motivation for change. After becoming a Certified Church Educator, Ms. McCarthy received two major awards: The Margaret Walker Bowen Award for Distinguished Service in Christian Education granted by St. Andrews Presbyterian College in June of 1979 and Educator of the Year by the Association of Presbyterian Christian Educators in January 1980. Ms. McCarthy was in demand as a speaker and teacher on Christian education across the nation at every level of the Church's life. Among activities in which she exhibited powerful leadership were leading workshops, functioning as a church elder, consulting about educational efforts, General Assembly Task Forces, Montreat Workshop leader, author or co-author of several books. In 1992, the Lilly Endowment acknowledged her expertise by awarding a grant for research on the non-ordained minister. Ms. McCarthy served 11 years as associate professor of Christian education at the Presbyterian School of Christian Education. She retired from that position in 1999. In 2002, she was the author of "Valley Creek Presbyterian Church, Her Life and Times 1817-2002." The book is composed of documentary history, as well as reminiscences from many persons intimately connected with Valley Creek Church. In 2009, Estelle McCarthy received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Christian Education from The Resource Center. Estelle had many friends. She was enthusiastic about her family, the Presbyterian church, music and people in general. She was noted for her efforts to promote and create joy and peace throughout the Presbyterian church and across the land. The family will receive friends 2 to 4 and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 9, at Bliley's - Staples Mill, 8510 Staples Mill Rd. A funeral service will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, April 10, at Ginter Park Presbyterian Church, 3601 Seminary Ave., Richmond, with the service conducted by Reverend Carla Keyes. Graveside services will be conducted by Reverend Cecil Williamson at 1:30 p.m. on April 17, at Valley Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Selma, Alabama, near the church established by her forefathers and foremothers in 1816. Visitation in Selma with the family will be at the church after the service. Memorials may be made to the Estelle Rountree McCarthy Scholarship at Union Seminary, 3401 Brook Place, Richmond Virginia 23227, to the Selma-Dallas County Public Library, or to Valley Creek Presbyterian Church, c/o Ms. Llewllyn, 4329 Alabama Highway 22, Selma, Alabama 36703.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.