Mrs. Susie Belle Beasley McCoy, 100, died peacefully surroundedby her family on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at Landmark AssistedLiving Center in Booneville, where she had resided the last year.Mrs. McCoy was born on Nov. 10, 1908, in Hazlehurst, and is thedaughter of the late George W. Beasley and Fannie AinsworthBeasley.

She attended Whitworth College in Brookhaven and graduated witha Bachelor of Science degree in education from MississippiTeacher’s College, now the Univeristy of Mississippi. She met herfuture husband, Elmer E. McCoy, while at Southern and they marriedon Aug. 19, 1933, a union that lasted 62 years until his death inNovember 1995. They purchased their home place in Booneville in1938 and “Miss Susie”, as she was affectionately known by many,taught the fifth grade at Thrasher and Jumpertown schools forseveral years. Later, she became a homemaker, staying home with herhusband and children, a job she dearly loved. She was a longtimemember and former financial secretary for First Baptist Church inBooneville. She and Elmer left First Baptist to start a missionchurch, Crestwood Baptist in east Booneville. As a charter member,she remained active and faithful until she suffered a stroke at age98. She taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School for many,many years. Her love for the Lord was evident in everything she didor said. A woman of deep faith and a staunch prayer warrior, shelet everyone know her friend, Jesus. Her life was best described inProverbs 31. “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husbandalso praises her. Many women do noble things, but you surpass themall. Give her the reward she has earned and let her works bring herpraise at the city gates.” She actively participated with herhusband and son, Billy, in the family business, Willow Dale WormFarm, helping pack the worms and package them for shipping. Shealso cooked lunch for her family and the farm crew daily. She was awonderful cook, who didn’t know the meaning of cake mix. Mrs. McCoyloved gardening and was a master green thumb taking care of herflowers, plants and garden with expertise and love. Hergrandchildren and great-grandchildren were the joy of her life andshe greatly enjoyed their visits, educational accomplishments andtheir contributions to humanity. Miss Susie blessed many and willbe sorely missed by all.

A service celebrating her life will be held at 4 p.m. Monday,March 9, 2009, at the Gaston Baptist Church with Bro. JackieSpencer officiating. Her granddaughter, Kim McCoy Eubank, willdeliver the eulogy. Burial will follow in the Gaston Cemetery.Booneville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Surivivors include her two sons, Edward McCoy and wife, Barbara,and William J. “Billy” McCoy, Speaker of the Mississippi House ofRepresentatives, and his wife, Edith; a daughter, Sue McCoyAnderson and husband, David, all of Booneville; her sisters, BessHood, of Norman, Okla., and Jane Brown, of Hot Springs, Ark.; hersix grandchildren, Sam McCoy (Jamie), Kim Eubank (Kevin), RustyMcCoy, Jason McCoy (Cheryl), all of Booneville, Bobby Anderson(Catherine), of Madison, and Brad Anderson (Mary) of Phoenix,Ariz.; her 13 great-grandchildren; Molly Beth and Chloe Eubank,Lee, Tate and Jackson McCoy, Margaret and Stephen Anderson, Carleyand Colton McCoy, Louis Anderson, Gabbie and Gabe Hall and JustinMcCoy; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, formerPrentiss Co. Representative Elmer E. McCoy; her sisters, HazelHigdon and Frances White Brown; and a brother, Sidney Beasley.

Memorials may be made to Crestwood Baptist Church, P.O. Box 172,Booneville, MS, 38829.