Myrl Cooper McCarley Rackley
Myrl Cooper McCarley Rackley
Myrl Cooper McCarley Rackley, age 102, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2026, having lived a long and blessed life. She was born on January 30, 1924, in Woodland, Alabama, to Hoyt and Myrtice McCarley. Mrs. Rackley graduated from the University of Montevallo with a degree in Home Economics. In 1945, she moved to Altha, Florida, to begin her teaching career at Altha School. She spent the next 36 years in the classroom, devoting herself to her students and the Altha community. As a Home Economics teacher, she was especially known for teaching countless students how to sew, a practical skill many carried with them throughout their lives. On October 19, 1947, she married Rudolph Rackley. They shared 64 years of marriage together until his passing in December 2011. Mrs. Rackley was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose greatest joy was her family. She loved cooking and always had several desserts prepared whenever family or friends came to visit. She also enjoyed sewing, making all her children’s clothes, as well as many beautiful pageant dresses for her granddaughters. In her later years, she enjoyed reading and traveling with her daughters and granddaughters. Throughout her life, she was admired as a woman of dignity, grace, and class. Her gentle wisdom and gracious example left a lasting impression on her family, her students, and all who knew her. The kindness she showed and the lessons she taught will live on in the generations blessed to call her Mama, Mema, and friend. She was a member of Zion Baptist Church in Woodland, Alabama, and was also lovingly claimed by the congregation of Altha United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hoyt and Myrtice McCarley; her husband, Rudolph Rackley; her brother, Earl McCarley; her sister, Margaret McCarley Golden; and two sons-in-law, Kenny Peacock and Larry Eldridge.
Mrs. Rackley is survived by five children: Rudolph Rackley, Jr., Jay Hoyt Rackley, Harriett Peacock Eldridge, and Hilda Edenfield (Greg), all of Altha, Florida; and Gilda Stewart (Joe) of Woodland, Alabama. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 5:00 PM CT until 7:00 PM CT at the Peavy Funeral Home Chapel in Blountstown, Florida.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 2:00 PM CT at the Altha United Methodist Church, with interment to follow at Mount Olive Cemetery in Altha.
Arrangements are under the direction of Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown, Florida.