Ernest "Coach" "E.W." Foy

On June 7th 2014, E.W. Foy, 77, a loving husband, father, grandfather, coach and teacher entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. E.W. was born on February 6, 1937 in New Orleans, Louisiana and grew up in Osyka, Mississippi. He was the son of W.A. and Willie Lou Priest Foy. Visitation is 5pm until 8pm, Monday June 9th at Catchings Funeral Home in Summit, Mississippi and 1:00 PM June 10th until services at 2:00PM at Terry's Creek Baptist Church conducted by Brother David Millican and Brother LaVerne Summerlin. E.W. graduated from Osyka High School in 1955, attended Southwest Mississippi Junior College, where he played basketball under the leadership of Coach Horace Holmes. Mr. Foy graduated from SMJC in May 1957, continuing his educational career on a basketball scholarship at William Carey College, graduating with a BS degree in Math and a minor in Health and Physical Education. He earned a Master of Science degree from LSU in 1969. Coach Foy accepted his first teaching and coaching position with EBRP Schools, beginning at Baton Rouge Jr. High School from 1959-1962. In September of 1962, he took the position of Math teacher and Head Basketball Coach, building a championship basketball team, winning the State 4A Championship in 1968 going undefeated and was named Coach of the Year. In 1969, he became Head Basketball Coach at Southeastern Louisiana University. Coach Foy won the first Conference Title in the history of the University during the 1972-1973 and was named Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year. From 1974 - 1977, he served as Head Basketball Coach at McNeese State University, where he guided his team to its first Southland Conference Championship. Mr. Foy was also named Coach of the Year at McNeese State. In 1977, Coach Foy completed his successful coaching tenure and entered the Private Business sector, moving back to where he grew up. He was a dedicated businessman in the community, owning and operating the Western Auto Associate Store in McComb, Mississippi. After 23 years away from the game, the competitive fire still burned. In 2000, he became the Head Basketball Coach at Parklane Academy in McComb. While at Parklane, Coach Foy guided the boy's basketball team to the State play-offs for the first time in ten years. In 2012, he concluded his coaching career at Amite School Center in Liberty, Mississippi. Coach Foy was recognized for many awards over his career. In 1980, he was inducted into the SMJC Sports Hall of Fame. In 2012, he received the Mississippi Association of Community College Sports Hall of Fame award, along with the William Carey University Sports Hall of Fame award. He touched many lives throughout his career as a coach, teacher and mentor. He was a member of Terry's Creek Baptist Church and Rising Glory Lodge 215 in Osyka. He is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Betty Jane Beregi Foy; daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda and Les Caraccioli of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; daughter and son-in-law Lori and Bruce Hopkins of Brandon, Mississippi; son and daughter-in-law Michael and Deanna Foy of Nashville, Tennessee; sister Leonda Foy McDaniel and her husband Gene of Gautier, Mississippi; sister Mavis Foy Wilson of Summit, Mississippi; 7 grandchildren, Kristin Robichaux and her husband Schaffer, Kyle Cantrell and his wife April, Derek Caraccioli, Lance Caraccioli, Barbara Jane Hopkins, Foster Foy and Carson Foy; 7 great-grandchildren, Caydi Caraccioli, Hudson Caraccioli, Logan Caraccioli, Gabriel Cantrell, Elijah Cantrell, Jameson Robichaux and Victoria Grace Cantrell and a host of nieces, nephews and special friends, especially his life long best friend, Eldredge Boyd. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be sent to the SMCC Foundation In Memory of E.W. Foy at 1156 College Drive Summit MS 39666. This Foundation will help student basketball players attending Southwest MS Community College. To share condolences visit www.catchingsfuneralhome.com.