Ruby Jean McCarty was born on March 12, 1950, in Red River County, Texas to the union of the late   Aaron Johnson Sr and Rosetta Johnson. She attended Detroit Public School and was a member of Pine Hill Baptist Church in Kanawha, Texas under the leadership of Rev. Joe Liggins.

In 1967, Ruby married Roy Lee McCarty, whom she lovingly referred to as "Little Roy Lee." They had three children together.  They were married for 57 years before his passing on March 4, 2024. Ruby worked at Campbell Soup for over 40 years until she retired. After that, Ruby found joy taking care of residents at Colonial Lodge Retirement Center for several years. Ruby loved cooking for her family; there was no holiday like a holiday at Ruby Jean's house filled with friends and family. She also enjoyed gardening, sewing, and traveling. Ruby cherished nothing more than the nights she would get off work and come home to her husband and her baby, Cindy, waiting up for her.

She was preceded in death alongside her parents and husband, (3) siblings: Aaron Johnson Jr., Earnest Johnson, and Dorothy Washington; (5) brothers-in-law: Roy Washington, Jim Bowers, Vernon McCarty, General McCarty, and Eugene Braxton; sister-in-law Ruby Johnson; mother-in-law Louise Lewis-McCarty; and father-in-law John McCarty.

Ruby leaves behind to cherish her memories (3) children: Delois McCarty, Derek (Pamela) McCarty Sr., and Cindy McCarty; (5) grandchildren: Kameka Savage, Shameka (Brandon Ray) Savage, Quintessa Savage, Shaderika McCarty, Derek "DJ" McCarty, Jr.; (13) great-grandchildren: Quiniya, Garrius, Brayden, Zaiden, Janya, Kamari, Kameron "KJ", Patience, Serenity, Kamden, Bronson, Khyrie, and Kaiden; (1) great-great grandchild Aziah; (9) siblings: Charles (Florida) Johnson, Bobby (Faye) Johnson, Tommy (Donna) Johnson, Rev. James (Velma) Johnson, Glenn (Shelia) Johnson, Vera Bowers, Linda Johnson-Hicks, Carolyn (Jimmy) Brown, Minister Rebecca (Rev. Thomas) Owens; sister-in-law Delores Braxton; along with other relatives and friends that will miss her dearly.