In the afternoon of Sept. 9, 2025, our husband, brother, father, and grandfather accepted the invitation to live with God.
He was welcomed by his parents, Douglas and Ellen McCoy; siblings Blanche, Edie, and Effie; brothers George and James; nephew George Jr.; and other relatives and friends.
He was born Jan. 15, 1934, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and is a graduate of the New York State Institution of Applied Arts and Sciences, earning an AA degree as a Dental Technician.
He proudly joined the United States Air Force, serving as the Supervisor of the Dental Clinic in Guam and the Philippines before retiring in 1989 at George Air Force Base in Victorville, California.
During the holidays in 1955, he met the love of his life, Mary Jane Haley, and convinced her to marry. They moved to California and were married on Aug. 31, 1957. They resided in California until moving to Spokane, Washington, in 1992. They recently celebrated their 68th anniversary!
Ed enjoyed playing bid whist, listening to jazz, and watching sports–especially basketball and football–and was delighted when his teams won.
His favorite activity was making barbecue for the family. He took great joy in participating in the annual St. David’s Steak and Bake as a sponsor. As a servant of the community, he enjoyed the following activities:
Serving as an Anthropos for the National Sorority Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., National and Regional Scholarship Chair
Connecting Link “Honey Do” with the Spokane Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Co-sponsor of the 100 Black Men Chapter in the Inland Empire of Southern California
Ed is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Mary Jane McCoy; daughters Kim Pate (Clay) and Shelley Beavers; four grandchildren, Darrell (Erica), Darren, Daiytion II, and Kari; five great-grands, LaShay (Nofo), Andrew, Shante, Kolton, and Nayomie; and one great-great-grandson, Nyjah. Ed is also survived by his sister, Ethelyn “Sissy” Best of Queens, New York. He leaves to cherish his memory numerous nieces, nephews, and several beloved cousins. Ed will be remembered and missed by many who thought of him as a father figure, fondly calling him Papa McCoy or Uncle Ed.
If you wish, in lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted in Ed’s name to the American Diabetes Association, the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Perpetual Scholarship Foundation (c/o Yvonne Ben, 2717 Riverbend Drive, Violet, LA 70092), or to a charity of your choice in his name.
The family extends their sincere appreciation to Rev. Kimmie Meinecke; the nurses and clergy of Spokane Hospice; St. David’s Prayer Group; The Must Pray Prayer Line; Esther Kelley; Deborah Cano; members of The Spokane Links, Inc.; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc.; as well as all other friends and relatives for their support and kindness.