Betty Jean McCoy

Betty Jean, as she was called throughout childhood, was born to the late Lehman Edwards and Esther Patrick-Edwards in Snow Hill, N.C., but raised in Ayden, N.C. on September 8, 1947. She left home at an early age and while visiting an older sister in Washington, D.C. she met and married Robert Christian McCoy in 1962. In 1970 Betty and her husband separated and she was left to raise their three sons, Dwayne, Robert and Barry, on her own. She worked tirelessly and with great sacrifice to ensure her sons had everything they needed to be successful, often times working two jobs.

In 1972 Betty became a Special Education Aide in the D.C. Public School system where she worked until 1995. Under the tutelage of the school’s principal and long-time friend, Ms. Alvira Travis. Betty was very instrumental to the special education program and received many accolades. She was known as a hard worker and very dependable, seldom missing any time from work. Betty had the same work ethic, dedication and attitude when she transitioned to the security services industry working as a both a contractor and a federal gov’t employee (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Pacific Architects & Engineers, U. S. Investigation Services and Navy and Air Force Central Adjudication agencies). As an employee she was praised for her outstanding performance, dedication and can-do attitude. As a coworker she was considered to be “the joy of the organization.” Betty always had a smile on her face and met everyone with a warm greeting. “Happy Friday” was one of her favorite greetings. There wasn’t a colleague who couldn’t wait for the next organizational social gathering because they all knew that they were getting either Ms. Betty’s famous Punchbowl Cake or her Banana pudding.” She retired from the civil service in 2012 and from the security arena altogether in 2014.

As a mother Betty was generous, loving and kind. She raised her sons with patience, discipline and humility. She also raised them to be strong and accountable. She loved them more than life itself and it showed every day. While all three are different in their own ways, all three inherited her work ethic and “tell it like it is” demeanor. Betty also raised her oldest grandson, Leslie Kelly McCoy, which she passionately referred to as her 4th son. They were like two peas in a pod.

Betty loved music, dancing and a GOOD party. Betty also loved cooking, baking, shopping, picnics, taking pictures, entertaining at home, and talking a little trash on the side. Three of her favorite characters were Batman, Mickey Mouse and Betty Boop. She had pictures, posters, and other paraphernalia of two of them all over her home. Her favorite car was a Cadillac and when she purchased her first one it was black, and she had the letters “BMB” on the license plates which stood for the Batmobile. Due to her love of the Betty Boop character her family and friends started calling her “Betty Boo”. Now you know the rest of the story. She was a spiritual person with a strong faith in God.

Betty Boo will be greatly missed by her family and friends, especially her 3 sons and 5 grandchildren: Quishona McCoy, Malik Hamm, Barry Kelly McCoy, II, Trevon Brown and Kaliyah Hines who adore her with all their hearts. We take comfort knowing that she is with the angels looking over us each day. She is preceded in death by her grandson Leslie; her 2 sisters Rothie and Colease; her brother Bud and her parents.

A small memorial service will be held at the Ft Lincoln Funeral Home on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022 by the Rev. Rich Matthews at 1 pm. The gathering with family begins at 12 pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fort-lincoln.com for the McCoy family.