Obituary of Elizabeth McCoy

Coffeyville - Elizabeth McCoy, 89, died peacefully in her home in Coffeyville, Ks, Tuesday July 10, 2012 after a brief struggle with cancer. Elizabeth Mary Babcock McCoy was born December 29, 1922 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Rolland DeRoy (Sr.) and Elizabeth Florence (Free) Babcock, the first of four children. She was raised in the small Oklahoma oil towns where her father worked as a warehouse manager for an oil company. In 1936 the family moved to Iola, Ks where her father opened a Western Auto Store. She worked with her father and sister in the store during her high school years. She was the piano accompanist for various Iola school choirs.She graduated valedictorian for her class. She then attended Allen County Jr. College and worked at a local movie theater and later for a gas company. On August 10, 1947 she married Harold Ernest McCoy in her parent's home. They moved to Lawrence, Ks where he attended Kansas University. In December 1949, they moved to Coffeyville at which time her father and husband opened a Western Auto Store. She worked side by side with her husband for 30 years. They closed the store October 1979 due to Harold's declining health. She then worked at First Federal Savings and Loan until it was closed in 1989. Following her retirement she volunteered for Meals On Wheels and worked at the Hospital Auxiliary Snack Bar for 15 years. She was raised in the church and was baptized while in high school. She took her covenant vows to God very seriously and faithfully participated in the ministries of the church by her prayers, her presence, her gifts, her service and her witness that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church singing in the choir until her deteriorating eye sight forced her to quit. She was also active in the United Methodist women's group and a member of the Keystone Sunday School class. She volunteered by placing labels on the church newletters and church mailings, and folded the weekly church bulletins until she became too weak. Her hobbies included needlepoint, counted cross stitch and plastic canvas until her eye sight failed. Then she kept busy with her yard work and maintained several flower gardens. She is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth Mae of Denver, Co and Patricia Ann of Coffeyville, one sister, Vivian Ruth Singer of Iola, Ks and her beloved dog, Mandy. She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Mildred Louise Janzen, one brother, Rolland DeRoy Babcock, Jr., and her husband Harold in 1990. Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 14, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church in Coffeyville with Rev. John Collins officiating. Burial will follow in Restlawn Memorial Park. Friends may call on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family will receive friends on Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church.. In lieu of flowers, she requested remembrances, to the First United Methodist Church Playground Equipment Fund; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.