Mrs. Marie Thornton McCoy

Mrs Marie Thornton McCoy, affectionately known as "Ms. Marie", was born on December 28, 1924, in Terrell County, Georgia to the late Mr. Robert Thornton, Sr. and Ms. Clara Teasley. She was the last  survivor of her siblings: Mr. Robert Thornton, Jr., Ms. Vera Cruse, Ms. Elizabeth Myhand, and Mr. Walter Thornton.  She attended Webster County Elementary School in Preston, Georgia and Carver High School in Dawson, Georgia.

At an early age, she dedicated her life to serving our Lord and the teachings of Jesus Christ.  She met and married  Mr. James McCoy in 1946. To that union were born: twin sons, John and James, who went to their heavenly Father, Faheemah, Wade [deceased], Shirlie, Janice, Donna, Stanley, Edna, Jeannette, Joan [deceased], and Derek. Her legacy is continued with a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was particularly proud of the *family members* that she adopted over the years who affectionately and respectfully called her mother, sister, or auntie. To all, she stressed the importance of God, family, love, devotion, hard work, and education.

She was an active and dedicated deaconess in New Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church and remained a steady influence until her health forced her to relocate to Atlanta, Georgia. There she continued her walk in Christ and joined Neriah Baptist Church and Victory in Praise.

She was active at home, in the community, and the church because she was not one to let life pass her by. She possessed a spirit of giving that was evidence in many ways. In a time when it was not popular, she became the first Black *Pink Lady/Candy Striper* at Stewart-Webster Hospital.  As a volunteer with community action programs, Ms. Marie provided group and individual cooking classes instructing participants on the many ways to prepare food received through various government sources.  Ms. Marie also served on the Board of Directors at Stewart Webster Rural Health Clinic with the esteemed former President Jimmy Carter.  

A prolific gardener, Ms. Marie always had a vegetable and flower garden. She believed that a house was not truly a home unless it was adorned with flowers. Even as she could no longer physically toil the soil, dig the holes, plant or tend, she lovingly instructed children and grandchildren how to do those chores. Thus, she instilled her love for gardening in them.

As a member of the Quilting Circle at the Senior Center in Fairburn, Georgia, Ms. Marie continued her love for quilt-making. This activity was addressed with the same enthusiasm as all endeavors. One of her greatest accomplishments was having one of her quilts win 1st place in a competition to be honored by being displayed at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D. C.

Next to serving the Lord and being a godly woman, family was the most important thing to Ms. Marie. She enjoyed family activities and exploring different sites with her family.

*May the life I live speak for me. Say what you will as long as you tell the truth. I*m not ashamed of the life that I*ve lived.*  Marie McCoy

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