Emma "Sally" McCoy Bates

Emma McCoy Bates died Tuesday, March 1, 2022 in her home in Mountain Brook, Alabama. "Sally," as she was known, was born on June 3,1930 in Snow Hill, North Carolina to Waddell and Rosa Beaman. She moved various times during her life with her husband, Mark McCoy of Arba, North Carolina.

Sally and Mark raised three children in both Birmingham, Alabama and Little Rock, Arkansas. Sally was a devoted wife and mother known for her homemaking talents, especially cooking and sewing. She was once on a cooking show in Birmingham showcasing one of her favorite recipes. She provided a home that was beautiful, warm, and happy. She had many friends that enjoyed her joyful and fun loving spirit.

After Mark's death, Sally remarried George Bates of Birmingham. They remained happily married until his death.

Sally is survived by her three children, Cindy McCoy Farquharson (Ernie) of Little Rock, Mark McCoy Jr. of Birmingham, and Tracy McCoy (Cheri) of Birmingham; and five grandchildren, Amy Adams (Jason) of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Clay Beckett of Sherwood, Arkansas, Jill Beckett of North Little Rock, and Mary Katherine and Sarah Leos of Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Sally is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Lauren, Morgan, and Andrew Adams of Fayetteville, and Ben Orton of North Little Rock; one sister, Rebecca Hardison of Frederick, Maryland; and two step-daughters, Judith Bates Sasser of Pensacola, Florida and Robin Bates of Longview, Texas.

The family would like to thank Sally's loving caregivers from Sitting in Love Sitting Service: Quatisha Gooden, Geraldine Gooden, and Imani Hooks. They loved our mother and grandmother as their own. Much love, always.

The family will greet friends from 10-11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at the Rutland Memorial Chapel at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, 2061 Kentucky Ave., Vestavia Hills, AL 35216, immediately followed by the memorial service at the chapel at 11 a.m. The service will be livestreamed at the Facebook page of Southern Heritage Funeral Home, Pelham, Alabama. Burial will be at Southern Heritage Cemetery, 475 Cahaba Valley Rd., Pelham, AL 35124.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org.