Roll Call Tribute

Marchi Charisse (Brown) McCartney 

December 11, 1951 - May 30, 2023 

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 a winnable one, 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 raised in a loving family as one of six children in the small town of Ganado, Texas. Marchi was an ambitious woman with numerous career accolades. She attended Texas A&M University, where she earned a B.S. in Biology in 1974 and a M.S. in Civil Engineering in the following years. After graduation, she worked in the oil and gas industry as a reservoir engineer in Midland, Texas. In the West Texas oil fields, Marchi 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. They were again blessed with a second son, Colin in 1991.

Marchi worked 23 years 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.

At the end of her “day job,” Marchi was always the doting mother and the first to volunteer. 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 she had on others cannot be captured by any written description. Marchi’s philosophy in life was simply following the Golden Rule: treat others as you would like to be treated. She practiced this philosophy daily, treating acquaintances and strangers with equal consideration, respect, fairness and compassion.

Marchi selflessly gave of her time to various charities and professional organizations, including Leadership Oklahoma City Class XXVIII and the Community Services Committee of the Oklahoma and Oklahoma County Bar Associations, assisting residents of the Family Junction Emergency Youth Shelter. She was a member of the Edmond Women's Club and also a founding member of "Between Us Girls," a women's investment group. She was an active member at New Covenant Church of Edmond, serving on its Mission Team and numerous mission trips. She volunteered regularly with Blue Star Mothers, Shiloh Camp, and Skyline Urban Ministry. She served on the Infant Services Teen Associate Board Committee, volunteering regularly at its facility. 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 was recognized for her YWCA service with the Mission Possible Award in 2019 and the Marchi McCartney Eternal Service Award in 2021, an award created in her honor. When no longer able to volunteer physically, she continued her support financially. Marchi 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 caregiver. 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; sons Jonathon McCartney and wife Shannon and granddaughter Vivienne; and Colin McCartney and wife Kirsten and step-grandsons Maxwell and Miles; sisters Toni Garner, Vicki Shumbera and husband C.J. Shumbera, Cindi Howell and husband Jack, Kristi Browning and husband Randall, and brother Wood Brown, along with numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews; in-laws Bob and Kathy McCartney, Bill and Vickie McCartney, along with three nieces and one grandnephew; and mother-in-law, Peggy Ann McCartney. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Marian and Woodrow Brown, and her father-in-law, Jonathon "J.W." Winston McCartney. Donations in Marchi’s memory can be made to the YWCA Oklahoma City under her name.