Marchi Mccartney

Marchi Charisse McCartney (née Brown) went to be with the Lord on May 30, 2023, after a five-year battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a debilitating neurological disease. She passed away with grace, surrounded by her family. Although her battle was not winnable, she was undeterred in her faith in God and support of church, family, friends and charities.Marchi was born December 11, 1951, in Wharton, Texas, to Marian and Woodrow Brown. She was born into a loving family of six children, consisting of five sisters and one brother, and raised in the small town of Ganado, Texas. She remained extremely close with her siblings and their children throughout her life.Marchi was an ambitious woman with numerous career accolades. She attended Wharton County Junior College then Texas A&M University, where she earned a B.S. in Biology and a M.S. in Civil Engineering in 1974. After graduation, she worked in the oil and gas industry as a reservoir engineer in Midland, Texas. In the West Texas oil fields, she met the love of her life, John McCartney. They married in 1984 and moved to Oklahoma City, where Marchi was accepted into the University of Oklahoma College of Law. In 1986, during her second year of law school, Marchi and John were blessed with their first-born son, Jonathon. Marchi earned a Juris Doctor in 1988. Then in 1991, they were blessed with their second son, Colin.Marchi spent 23 years working for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. She served the public in various legal and managerial capacities at the OCC, culminating as the Director of the Transportation Division where she supervised and directed 130 employees; though that was just her "day job". At the end of the day (and always), she was the doting mother to two boys and the first to volunteer. Homeroom Mom, Mama Dog (football mom's club), and Beta Mom's Club officer were just a few of her titles.Marchi was an unwavering wife, fierce "Mama Dog", witty sister, cherished aunt, perfect daughter, ideal daughter-in-law, loving Nana, dynamo attorney, welcoming mother-in-law, amusing friend, and celebrated advocate for the less fortunate. The real impact Marchi had on family, friends and neighbors, however, cannot be captured by any written description.Marchi was once asked in an interview (related to an award received) about her philosophy in life; she simply replied with the Golden Rule: treat others as you would like to be treated. There is no question that she practiced this philosophy daily, treating acquaintances and strangers with equal consideration, respect, fairness and compassion.Marchi selflessly gave her weekends and evenings to various charities and professional organizations, including Leadership Oklahoma City Class XXVIII. She also served on the Community Services Committee of the Oklahoma and Oklahoma County Bar Associations, assisting residents of the Family Junction Emergency Youth Shelter. Marchi was a member of the Edmond Women's Club and was a founding member of "Between Us Girls," a women's investment group that she shared with some of her best girlfriends and has met for more than 20 years.She was an active member at New Covenant Church of Edmond and served on its Mission Team, through which she participated in numerous mission trips, and volunteered regularly with Blue Star Mothers, Shiloh Camp and Skyline Urban Ministry. She was a member of the Infant Services Teen Associate Board Committee and regularly volunteered at its facility on Saturday mornings.Marchi's favorite charity was the YWCA Oklahoma City, where she served for years on the Board of Directors and commandeered various fundraising committees including Purple Sash. She could be found stocking clothing and hygiene necessities for YWCA residents every week, even making John join her when she could no longer drive. She logged (conservatively) over 1,100 community service hours at the YWCA. She was recognized for her YWCA service with the 2019 Mission Possible Award and again in 2021 with an award created in her honor, the Marchi McCartney Eternal Service Award. After she was no longer able to volunteer physically, she continued her support financially. She instilled her giving heart in her two sons, and such is her legacy.Marchi was intelligent, selfless, ambitious, generous, witty, charitable, and she loved to laugh even as the lights dimmed. She loved her boys dearly- John, Jonathon, Colin- and the latest and greatest editions, her grandchildren- Maxwell, Miles and Vivienne. Throughout the last difficult years, John never left Marchi's side and was her devoted and compassionate caretaker. Their journey on this earth lasted 39 years- from dusty Midland, Texas until her last breath was taken. In light of their shared faith, John knows that their journey is far from over. Marchi's legacy will live on through her family and generous philanthropic efforts.Marchi is survived by her husband John McCartney of Oklahoma City; sons Jonathon McCartney and wife Shannon and granddaughter Vivienne of Fort Worth, Texas, Colin McCartney and wife Kirsten and step-grandsons Maxwell and Miles of Enid, Oklahoma; sisters Toni Garner of Burnett, Texas, Vickie Shumbera and husband C.J. of Weimar, Texas, Cindi Howell and husband Jack of Katy, Texas, Kristi Browning and husband Randall of Boerne, Texas, and brother Wood Brown of Victoria, Texas, along with numerous nieces and nephews and grandnieces and nephews; in-laws Bob and Kathy McCartney of Fox, Oklahoma, Bill and Vickie McCartney of Davis, Oklahoma along with three nieces and one grandnephew; and mother-in-law, Peggy Ann McCartney of Fox, Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by her mother, Marian, and father, Woodrow Brown of Ganado, Texas, and her father-in-law, Jonathon "J.W." Winston McCartney of Fox, Oklahoma.The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, June 7, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Smith and Kernke Funeral Home located on North May Avenue. Services will be held Thursday, June 8, at 2:00 p.m. at New Covenant Church in Edmond, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the YWCA Oklahoma City under her name.