Mary Kathryn (Kay) Carter Scroggins of El Dorado, formerly of Warren, passed into glory to meet her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ face to face on January 16, 2026, at Timberlane Health and Rehabilitation. She was born February 21, 1937, in Warren to the late Orlan P. Carter, Sr. and Edna Novella Wells Carter.
Kay graduated as salutatorian from Warren High School, where she made cherished friendships that continued throughout her life. Following graduation, she moved to Little Rock, where she graduated from business school and worked briefly before returning to her hometown and joining Potlatch’s office staff. She took on the role of homemaker while raising her children, then rejoined the workforce, retiring after many years as the administrative assistant for the Southeast Arkansas Education Service Cooperative based in Warren.
Born into a family of deep faith, Kay received Jesus Christ at a young age and united with Emmaus Missionary Baptist Church, where she remained an active member until her move to El Dorado. She learned to read shape-note music and play the piano, and she had vivid memories of traveling as a young lady with her great-uncle, the Rev. Charley Carter, during area revival meetings to serve as pianist. Her musical service continued at Emmaus, where through the years she sang in the choir and ensembles as well as serving as organist. Her years teaching children in Sunday School were some she credited with growing her Bible knowledge, and in later years she served as Sunday School secretary. She also served many years on the Moseley Cemetery Association Board.
Following her move to El Dorado in 2007, Kay joined Immanuel Baptist Church and found a home and many dear friends among the ladies of the Joy Class. She also joined Joy Community Bible Study, where over the years she made many more friends and said she learned more from the Bible than at any other time in her life.
Kay was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Anna Grider; and her brothers, Bill Carter and Orlan Carter, Jr.
Survivors include her children, Lou Anne Emrich (Marc) of El Dorado, Todd Scroggins (Regina) of Warren, and Stacy Scroggins (Kelly) of El Dorado; grandchildren Josh Scroggins (Candys) and Jamie Thomas of Warren, and Matthew Emrich (Sydney) and Mitchell Emrich (MiKayla) of Lowell; bonus grandchildren Maribeth Hicks (Ryan) of Warren and Dr. Lindsey McBride (Brad) of Little Rock; and six great-grandchildren plus four bonus great-grandchildren.
