Frances McCoy

Frances F. McCoy (“Nee Nee”) passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on August 12, 2013, in Christiansburg, Virginia.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ethel and Raymond Fisher; her husband, William E. McCoy Jr. (“Billy”); sons, William E. McCoy III (“Mackie”), and Stephen Bruce McCoy; and a brother and sister-in-law, Buddy and Jo Fisher. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Dan Myers; two grandchildren, Emily and Tyler Myers; and her cat “Callie.”

Frances was born on January 19, 1925 in Wytheville, Virginia. Her family moved to Galax and then to Christiansburg when Frances was in the third grade. She attended Christiansburg schools where she met and later married Billy, her high school sweetheart. During World War II, Frances graduated from the first class at the Radford School of Nursing. As a Registered Nurse, she did private duty for several years until Billy returned from war and they started a family. She became involved in many of her children’s activities and people still remember her fondly for being their troop leader in the Brownies and Cub Scouts. Frances was widowed in 1972 and chose to go back to work at Montgomery Regional Hospital in the Operating Room, where she eventually became Recovery Room Supervisor for many years. During this time, her son Bruce sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury and Frances started the local chapter of the Virginia Head Injury Foundation. She later helped establish a camp for individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries and, after Bruce’s death in 1986, it was re-named Camp Bruce McCoy to thank Frances for all of her efforts. Frances retired from nursing in 1987 and, while still caring for her mother, was able to travel and enjoy life with her special companion, Owen “Keith” Hall.

Frances will always be remembered as being full of life with a cheerful outlook, even during difficult times. She was beloved by her two grandchildren, who were fortunate to grow up living next door to a wonderful grandmother and a life-long friend. The feeling was reciprocated, as they were the joy of her life. Frances had many friends and leaves behind a wealth of happy memories. She spent a majority of her life caring for others and, in the final years, her family was grateful for the opportunity to care for her. She will be greatly missed.

The family would like to thank the staff at English Meadow, Good Samaritan Hospice, and Dr. Mike Payne for the quality care they gave Frances over the years. Special thanks to Bennie Mensh and Janet Quesenberry for always being there for Frances. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Camp Bruce McCoy, c/o Brain Injury Association of Virginia (BIAV), 1506 Willow Lawn Dr., Suite 212, Richmond, Virginia 23225 or online at: www.biav.net/donate.htm .

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, August 15, 2013, at 2 p.m. at Sunset Cemetery, Christiansburg, with Dan Myers officiating. Frances’ family would like to invite friends to join them at her home after the service.