Graveside services will be held Saturday for a woman who was one of the first African-Americans on the reporting staff of the Monroe News-Star.
Services for Eleanor Rushing McCarty, 71, will be held Saturday, January 23rd at the Cedar Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Grayson, La.
Writing under her maiden name of Eleanor Rushing, McCarty, proved to be a highly talented and professional reporter whose accounts of Monroe life in the thirty 35 years of her service changed conditions for African-Americans
She is best remembered for a multi-page in-depth report in which she showed how slum housing in Monroe was owned and operated by prominent individuals in Monroe including many city officials. The report resulted in many changes in housing standards in the city and a few firings. Her attention to detail and accuracy resulted in her promotion as assistant Editor of the daily paper, a first for an African-American.
Her official obituary reads as follows:
Eleanor Rushing McCarty, age 71, of Monroe, LA was born January 11, 1950, in Coushatta, LA. She went to be with God Tuesday, January 19, 2021.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and English from Grambling State University.
Eleanor retired as Assistant Editor with The News-Star in 2013 and was employed there for over 30 years. While employed with The News-Star she also worked as a reporter, covering beats ranging from law enforcement to courts, education, government, and religion. During her journalism career, she was recognized numerous times for her outstanding work. These honors and recognitions include but aren’t limited to: The Louisiana Press Association Better Newspaper Editorial Competition Best Feature Story, Outstanding African-American Women and First Place for The Best of Gannett 1979 Public Service Award: Single Community Project for “Slums: A Look at Substandard Housing in Monroe”.
Eleanor is well-known in Monroe, LA, and surrounding areas for her work and kindness as a journalist and reporter.
Preceding her in death are her father and mother, RL and Veria Rushing, sister, Claire, and brothers Wilson, Willie, and Woodson McCarty.
She is survived by her children, Marvin, Angela, Jared (Kasha) and Gavin (Jessica) McCarty, sister, Janice Bonin, beloved grandchildren, LiTyus, Kai, Micah, Jade, Gavin Jr, and Juliette McCarty, and a host of other relatives and friends. Above all, Eleanor cherished and loved being surrounded by her family.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM through 1:00 PM Saturday, January 23, 2021, at McFarland Funeral Home, Monroe, LA.
Interment will follow at 3:00 PM at the Cedar Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Grayson, LA. There will be no funeral service due to COVID-19.
-Courtesy of McFarland Funeral
