Obituary for Barbara Sue McCoy
Barbara Sue McCoy, passed away Sunday, March 21, 2022, at Barstow Community Hospital, Barstow California. Sue was a long-time member of the Barstow Senior Center and recently celebrated 50 years of professionalism in the funeral industry.
Sue was born at home in Tulsa, Oklahoma on February 19, 1943. She was the youngest child of Robert Lee and Dorothy Lee McCoy. In 1944, her family moved to western Oklahoma to be closer to relatives. Sue attended school at Ocina and Delhi and graduated from Mangum High School in 1961. She was always athletic and played basketball and baseball at which she excelled.
Sue knew from an early age that she wanted to pursue a career in the funeral services industry. She worked for two years as an apprentice at the Merritt Funeral Home in Bethany, Oklahoma. Having this experience showed her that this was the career for her. Sue attended the California College of Mortuary Science in Los Angeles, graduating in 1965, the only woman in a class of 80. At her graduation, as she walked across the stage to receive her diploma, all of her classmates gave her a standing ovation as recognition of her accomplishment in a field dominated by men at that time.
After graduation, Sue served an apprenticeship at the Price-Daniel Funeral Home in West Los Angeles. At the end of her apprenticeship, she was able to apply for, and receive her embalmer's license. Her goal was to become a Funeral Director, but at that time in California, one had to be the manager of a funeral home before being allowed to apply and test for the license. Sue received her Funeral Director's license in 1978 when she became the manager at the Gates, Kingsley & Gates Funeral Home in Canoga Park, CA. After several years, she went on to manage other funeral homes to include Pierce Bros. in Canoga Park, CA and Bade Mortuary in Tujunga, CA. Serving families as a Funeral Director was more than a career it was her life and passion.
Sue came to manage Mead `Mortuary in Barstow in 2003, working with many families and retiring in 2009. She spent a few years enjoying her retirement, when another opportunity to be involved in the funeral industry came her way. Tom Runyon, a long time funeral professional had come to Barstow, and was working to open a new funeral home. He was also looking for someone with experience to work with him. Through the friend of a friend, of a friend, he was able to meet Sue, and they have worked together at the Highlands Funeral Home, serving the families of Barstow. Who says age slows you down? Not Sue!
Outside of work, Sue was an avid sports fan. Her passion for sports was part of her personality. Her love for OU Football was deep and she followed the Sooners through-out their careers in Pro Football. She loved baseball, particularly the NY Yankees. Mickey Mantle was from Oklahoma so that's all it took for Sue. Additionally, She was active in the Barstow Women's Club and was a member of the Helendale Community Church in Helendale, CA, where she served in the Food ministry, and as an usher. She was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Ladies Auxiliary, and other community organizations.
On a deeper level, family was very important to her. She kept in weekly contact with her brothers, cousins and aunts. She looked forward to attending her high school and cousins' reunions over the years. Another highlight was meeting her favorite singer, Vikki Carr. Sue became close friends with Vikki and her husband, and was heavily involved in the Vikki Carr Fan Club. Sue attended many of Vikki's concerts.
Sue McCoy will always be remembered for the tremendous compassion she gave to grieving families, They could rely on the assurance that she would always provide "Sincere Service". Her outgoing spirit, true concern for those around her and love of others will never be forgotten.
She was preceded in death by her mother Dorothy Lee Shook; her step-father S.A. Shook; and step-brother Ernie Shook.
She leaves behind to honor her great legacy, her brothers and their wives: Harold and Neggie McCoy of Bethany, OK; Don and Linda McCoy of Alva, Oklahoma; and her step-brothers and wives: Winifred and Carolyn Shook of Pauls Valley, OK; and Carl and June Shook of Meeker, OK; three nephews: Stephen, Kevin, and Casey McCoy, and their daughters, Jessica, Natasha, Caitlin, and Caroline; eight step nieces/nephews, and many cousins and friends who loved her.
The visitation for Sue will be from 1 pm to 2 pm. Saturday, April 2, 2022, at Spring Creek Baptist Church in Willow, OK .
A Celebration of her life will be on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at 2 pm at Spring Creek Baptist Church in Willow, OK . The Committal Service will follow at Willow Cemetery in Willow, OK.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Association PO Box 96280 Washington, DC 20077.
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Sue was born at home in Tulsa, Oklahoma on February 19, 1943. She was the youngest child of Robert Lee and Dorothy Lee McCoy. In 1944, her family moved to western Oklahoma to be closer to relatives. Sue attended school at Ocina and Delhi and graduated from Mangum High School in 1961. She was always athletic and played basketball and baseball at which she excelled.
Sue knew from an early age that she wanted to pursue a career in the funeral services industry. She worked for two years as an apprentice at the Merritt Funeral Home in Bethany, Oklahoma. Having this experience showed her that this was the career for her. Sue attended the California College of Mortuary Science in Los Angeles, graduating in 1965, the only woman in a class of 80. At her graduation, as she walked across the stage to receive her diploma, all of her classmates gave her a standing ovation as recognition of her accomplishment in a field dominated by men at that time.
After graduation, Sue served an apprenticeship at the Price-Daniel Funeral Home in West Los Angeles. At the end of her apprenticeship, she was able to apply for, and receive her embalmer's license. Her goal was to become a Funeral Director, but at that time in California, one had to be the manager of a funeral home before being allowed to apply and test for the license. Sue received her Funeral Director's license in 1978 when she became the manager at the Gates, Kingsley & Gates Funeral Home in Canoga Park, CA. After several years, she went on to manage other funeral homes to include Pierce Bros. in Canoga Park, CA and Bade Mortuary in Tujunga, CA. Serving families as a Funeral Director was more than a career it was her life and passion.
Sue came to manage Mead `Mortuary in Barstow in 2003, working with many families and retiring in 2009. She spent a few years enjoying her retirement, when another opportunity to be involved in the funeral industry came her way. Tom Runyon, a long time funeral professional had come to Barstow, and was working to open a new funeral home. He was also looking for someone with experience to work with him. Through the friend of a friend, of a friend, he was able to meet Sue, and they have worked together at the Highlands Funeral Home, serving the families of Barstow. Who says age slows you down? Not Sue!
Outside of work, Sue was an avid sports fan. Her passion for sports was part of her personality. Her love for OU Football was deep and she followed the Sooners through-out their careers in Pro Football. She loved baseball, particularly the NY Yankees. Mickey Mantle was from Oklahoma so that's all it took for Sue. Additionally, She was active in the Barstow Women's Club and was a member of the Helendale Community Church in Helendale, CA, where she served in the Food ministry, and as an usher. She was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Ladies Auxiliary, and other community organizations.
On a deeper level, family was very important to her. She kept in weekly contact with her brothers, cousins and aunts. She looked forward to attending her high school and cousins' reunions over the years. Another highlight was meeting her favorite singer, Vikki Carr. Sue became close friends with Vikki and her husband, and was heavily involved in the Vikki Carr Fan Club. Sue attended many of Vikki's concerts.
Sue McCoy will always be remembered for the tremendous compassion she gave to grieving families, They could rely on the assurance that she would always provide "Sincere Service". Her outgoing spirit, true concern for those around her and love of others will never be forgotten.
She was preceded in death by her mother Dorothy Lee Shook; her step-father S.A. Shook; and step-brother Ernie Shook.
She leaves behind to honor her great legacy, her brothers and their wives: Harold and Neggie McCoy of Bethany, OK; Don and Linda McCoy of Alva, Oklahoma; and her step-brothers and wives: Winifred and Carolyn Shook of Pauls Valley, OK; and Carl and June Shook of Meeker, OK; three nephews: Stephen, Kevin, and Casey McCoy, and their daughters, Jessica, Natasha, Caitlin, and Caroline; eight step nieces/nephews, and many cousins and friends who loved her.
The visitation for Sue will be from 1 pm to 2 pm. Saturday, April 2, 2022, at Spring Creek Baptist Church in Willow, OK .
A Celebration of her life will be on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at 2 pm at Spring Creek Baptist Church in Willow, OK . The Committal Service will follow at Willow Cemetery in Willow, OK.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Association PO Box 96280 Washington, DC 20077.
To send flowers in memory of Barbara Sue McCoy, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Saturday
2
Apr
1:00 PM
- 2:00 PM
Spring Creek Baptist Church
19769 East 1310 Road
Willow, OK 73673
Funeral
Saturday
2
Apr
2:00 PM
Spring Creek Baptist Church
19769 East 1310 Road
Willow, OK 73673
Cemetery Details
Location
Willow Cemetery
33505-33533 N. County Road 1940
Willow, OK 73673
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