Beverly McCoy

LIMA -- Beverly Lois McCoy née Owens passed away peacefully in her home in Lima, Oh on May 19, 2024, at the age of 89. Beverly's life was marked by her unwavering commitment to education, community organizing, and her family, especially her granddaughters Chelsea and Lindsay. She was cared for with dignity at the end of her life by her daughters Erin and Kelly.

Beverly was born on July 12th, 1934 to Eleanor T. née Frazier and Newton Owens in Cleveland, Ohio. In her early childhood, Beverly was cared for by family friends, the Peaks, while her mother battled tuberculosis. After her illness, at age eight Beverly was reunited with her mother and siblings.

Beverly attended John Hay High School in Cleveland, Ohio - graduating in 1954. She went on to study Education at Ohio State University. She later obtained a Master's degree in Education from the University of Toledo in 1994.

Her professional career was distinguished by her roles as a Drama Instructor at J. Ashburn Youth Center in Columbus, Ohio, and as an elementary school teacher in the Lima City Schools. Her dedication to learning and literacy was formative for her students and she left an indelible mark on the community.

In 1958, Beverly married the love of her life, Malcolm D. McCoy. Together they raised three children: Malcolm D. McCoy II, Erin Theresa Marie McCoy, and Kelly Lois McCoy Williams. Beverly was a devoted wife and mother and supported her family in all that they did. Beverly's passions included playing the piano, traveling, reading books by Black women authors, and cheering on OSU and Cleveland Browns football games.

Beverly was an active and vibrant leader in her community; she served as Chair of the Allen County Democratic Party for a decade and twice represented her region as a delegate at the Democratic National Conventions in 1984 and 2008. Beverly's dedication to community involvement extended to her work with Lima Metropolitan Housing Authority, the HYHO Club, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (as a proud charter member of the Lima graduate chapter), she served as vice-president of the Sisters in Service Community Foundation and the League of Women Voters.

Beverly is survived by her daughters, Erin Theresa Marie McCoy of Lima and Kelly Lois McCoy Williams of Lima, her granddaughters, Chelsea Alexandra McCoy Williams of New York, NY, and Lindsay Tyler Williams of Chicago, IL. She is also survived by her nephews, Austin- Frazier Owens of Columbus, OH and LeMichael Hollingsworth of Louisville, KY and a host of extended family members who will remember her charm, sense of humor, endless curiosity, and deep love for family.

She is preceded by her beloved husband, Malcolm D. McCoy; her son, Malcolm D. McCoy II; her mother, Eleanor T. Owens; her father, Newton Owens; her siblings Annie E Owens-Boyd, Juanita Justine Owens, Maceo X Owens, Kermit Owens, and Gloria Armentha Owens; and her son-in-law, Eric J. Williams. A nephew; Akram Owens and a niece; Nefesa Owens.

A celebration of Beverly's life will be held on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Second Baptist Church.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, in her honor donations be made to the Beverly O. McCoy Scholarship Fund c/o - SISTERS IN SERVICE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, P.O. BOX 64, Lima, Ohio 45802.

Services entrusted to: Jones-Clark Funeral Home, Inc.

To offer condolences to the McCoy Family visit www.jonesclarkfuneralhome.com