Louise (Smith) McCoy

Mary Louise (Smith) McCoy, 84. Friends and family mourn the loss of an extraordinary member of their circle, Mrs. Mary Louise Smith McCoy, 84, who passed away on October 29, 2024 at Cumberland Valley Manor in Burkesville, Kentucky. Born in 1940 to Jimmie and Mary Smith in a little one-room cabin in Canton, IL, Louise and her family moved to a small farm in Judio, KY in 1946. The eldest sister of six siblings, Louise (“Sissy” to her family) worked hard helping tend the family’s small tobacco and cattle farm and cherished fond memories of growing up in a close-knit family. Friends recall that Louise was one of the prettiest and smartest girls in high school. She had a reputation for kindness and a big heart, someone always willing to do hard work and lend a helping hand. After graduating from Cumberland County High School, Louise was happy to find work at the Alpine Motel in Burkesville, Kentucky where she met the love of her life, Sherman McCoy. They were married on a beautiful March day in 1961 and were blessed to spend the next 63 years living and laughing together as they worked hard to care for each other, their family, and the friends they made along the way.

While she never made a million dollars or earned a lofty degree, Louise McCoy lived an extraordinary life, touching and shaping and improving the lives of generations of people in her community. She had a remarkable gift for helping others, for always being in the places she was most needed and able to provide just the right things to those who needed her. A kind word and a hug to someone in pain, a set of dishes to someone who’d lost everything in a fire, toys for children whose parents could not provide them, a place to sleep for someone who’d lost their home, company for a lonely neighbor–Louise’s kindness was endless. It’s no surprise Louise chose to work as a bookkeeper for local doctors for nearly 5 decades. Along with her talent for numbers, her compassion and kindness were an asset to Dr. Kirby, then Dr. Schickel, and finally, to Dr. Flowers.

Her house was a second home to so many, and it always passed the white glove test. She was an active member of the Burkesville Church of Christ. She and Sherman were arguably the longest serving band boosters in Cumberland County history. On one band trip, Louise helped fix a broken down school bus using just the contents of her purse (where she kept a little bit of everything), earning her the nickname “Miss Wal-Mart.” She was renowned for her peanut butter fudge. A pan of “Louise’s Fudge” once brought more money at a charity auction than a pair of courtside seats at Rupp Arena.

Louise was most in her element when surrounded by family and friends, telling stories and listening. She was a devoted wife and mother; a devout christian; a loving sister; a loyal friend; and a second mother to scores of nieces, nephews, and her son’s friends who knew exactly where she kept the snacks. She loved them all fiercely, and enjoyed every moment she spent with them telling tales, cooking, eating, and shopping until the stores closed. Her home at Christmas was the warmest place in the world (sometimes literally). Anyone and everyone was welcome, and she even kept extra presents on hand just for surprise guests. Louise tried every day to leave the world a little better than she found it, and we are fortunate to have known her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Darlene Fletcher and Viola Hurd, and her infant brother Joseph.

She is survived by husband Sherman; son James Paul, his wife Alexis, and their son Lennox; siblings Betty, Donnie (Sharon), and Ann; nieces and nephews Jay (& Tracy), Greg (& Tammy), Damita (& Scott), Tina (& Barry), Joey (& Ruthe), Michiel (& Shelly), Michelle (& Fred), Ryan (& Jenny); many great nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

Arrangements were managed by Norris-New Funeral Home. The Funeral service was at 11am on Saturday, November 2nd. Internment immediately following at Burkesville Cemetery. Casket bearers were Greg Cary, Jay Cary, Joey Hurd, Mike Smith, Ryan Jaggers, and Scott Proffitt. Honorary casket bearers were Dr. Robert Flowers, Dr. Robert Lynn Flowers, Peggy Flowers, Barry Collins, Fred Shorter, and Donnie Smith. If you so desire, contributions may be made to the Burkesville Cemetery in her memory.

Norris-New Funeral Home in Burkesville was honored to be in charge of all the arrangements.

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