Sandra Lee (Summers) McCarty, 85, of Moberly, Missouri, passed away Saturday, June 6, 2026 at her home.

The daughter of the late Benny and Pansy (Green) Summers, she was born August 23, 1940 in Kirksville, Missouri. She was united in marriage to Mike McCarty on January 31, 1968 in Novinger, Missouri and he preceded her in death in 2008.

Sandra is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Ronda McCarty of Moberly, MO, and two grandchildren, Jarrett (Lacey) McCarty, and Jeremy McCarty and fiancée Naydelin all of Kansas City, MO.

As a child Sandra grew up on a family farm north of Novinger with beloved neighbors that she was friends with until her passing. She was involved in many activities as a youth from performing in band as well as tap dancing while twirling a baton, to later being in trail rides with her beloved Gypsy-Dawn, early involvement with so many activities provided tools that would help her serve the Lord as well as the community where she grew up for many years to come.

Sandra graduated high school from Novinger R-I in 1958, then gained her teaching degree from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College in 1962 (Truman State). She started her teaching career in 1966 at Novinger R-I then moved to Kirksville R-III in 1980, teaching through the 1987 school year. She then went into private sector, working for Family Preservation and receiving her LPC in 1992. Mike and Sandra moved south to Columbia in early 1993, where she was in private practice with Bonnie Riley in Boonville, MO. Until she retired from counseling in 2005.

Sandra was involved with many community and school-based organizations over the years. From being a sponsor on many senior trips and organizing for community-based charities to her cherished Planned Progress, where she and Mike were heavily involved as secretary or president/vice president for nearly 20 years. During this time Sandra was director for the yearly pageant during the once popular Novinger Labor Day Celebration. Sandra took pride and truly enjoyed watching local talent on display during this pageant.

Sandra also served on the Adair County Library Board during the time it was constructed in the late 1980's and was a member of the AAUW in Kirksville.

Sandra was also deeply involved with the Novinger Baptist Church for 3 decades, serving as pianist for several years in addition to teaching Sunday School, serving as director of Vacation Bible School, and directing the Christmas pageant among other duties over the years. Her faith was most important to her, and she enjoyed serving the Lord in various ways throughout her lifetime.

In later years, Sandra continued serving the community as she charged the junior fan club at Moberly Speedway for a few years and loved following her grandson's sports throughout their school career until they stopped as young adults. She followed the Cardinals and Royals consistently and enjoyed the NBA during the playoffs. A full life, well lived.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 12, 2026 with family receiving friends from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m. service time in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville. Pastor Darrell Crooks will officiate the service and interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Green City, Missouri.

Memorial donations in memory of Sandra may be made to Mt. Olivet Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.