Joseph McCoy Obituary

Joseph Bennett McCoy, Jr., M.D., 85, of Davidson, NC died in his cottage at The Pines on June 7th from colon cancer. Joe was born on January 28, 1922 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. He lived most of his early life at the Hotel Wilkes where his father, Joseph B. McCoy of Long Creek was the manager. As a young boy, his mother Katherine Watt McCoy of Steele Creek introduced him to Montreat where he spent every summer through college and which remained special to him throughout his life. Joe graduated from Davidson College in 1943 with a Bachelor's Degree; he remained a loyal and active alumnus. During World War II, he was a Second Lieutenant in the 347th Regiment in the 90th Division of the U.S. Army and received two Purple Hearts in Normandy, France. After a year-long recovery from his wounds, Joe enrolled at The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Joe graduated in 1950 and took his post graduate training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. In 1949, Joe married Helen Virginia Hatton, his medical school classmate. In 1954, they moved to Charlotte where they raised four children and were happily married until her death in 2002. For fifty-three years, Joe was an active member of Trinity Presbyterian Church and served in many capacities, including Elder. Joe practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology at Bradford Clinic in Charlotte from 1954 to 1989, serving as President many times. He was a member of the South Atlantic Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and its President in 1984. He served as Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Presbyterian Hospital and at Mercy Hospital. Dr. McCoy was an active member of North Carolina Obstetrics and Gynecology Society until his retirement. In his retirement, besides traveling the world, Joe spent countless hours restoring the McCoy farm in Long Creek which has been in the family since 1768. His hard work and dedication to the land will be a lasting legacy. Joe is survived by his son, Joseph B. McCoy III and his wife Phyllis and step- grandchildren, Brian C. Pfeffer and Catherine Anne Taryle of Colorado Springs, CO.; son Thomas H. McCoy, M.D. and his wife Robin and grandchildren, Tom Jr. and Arrington of Charlotte; son J. Martin McCoy and his wife Susan and grandchildren, Avery, Blythe and Bennett of Davidson and Mazy of Tampa, FL; and daughter Sarah G. McCoy and her partner, Reverend Rachel Anderson and grandsons Fenner and Nathaniel McCoy of Berkeley, CA.; his sister Emily McCoy Verdone of Charlotte, NC; his sister-in-law Robin N. McCoy of Albuquerque, NM; and seven nieces and nephews; and many friends and colleagues. He was predeceased by his wife, Helen H. McCoy, his parents and his brothers, James A. McCoy and Robert W. McCoy. A memorial service will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, June 12 at 2 o'clock. The family will receive friends in the church parlor following the service. A private burial will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Huntersville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Dr. Joseph McCoy Jr.'s name to Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3115 Providence Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28211 or Crisis Assistance Ministry, 500 Spratt St. Charlotte, NC 28206. Arrangements by Harry and Bryant Company.