Our sweet wife and mother, Verna Jeanne McCoy, 87, left for her home in heaven on April 24th, 2024, in Olympia, Washington, four days before her 88th birthday.
Mom was born in the Centralia, Washington, hospital on April 28th, 1936, to her parents, Harold Paul and Nellie A. Inman Ruth. She graduated from Centralia High School in 1954. She married her husband, Deane H. McCoy on August 26th, 1956, at the First Christian Church of Centralia. They would have been married for 68 years this coming August. They moved to Ellensburg, Washington, where he earned his teaching degree at Central Washington University, while she worked in the university treasurer’s office. Dad graduated and they moved to Raymond, Washington, in 1958, where he taught for 40 years. Mom worked in the Harbor Rock office and later at Timberland Regional Library. She also volunteered at Raymond Elementary in the reading program.
Mom had many hobbies including reading, gardening, sewing, crocheting, embroidery, crafts, music, and sang for many years in the Raymond First Baptist Choir and the Willapa Harbor Chorale. She belonged to the Raymond First Baptist women’s Circles for over 60 years, TOPS club for over 50 years, and the South Fork Garden Club for many years. She loved to play board games and cards, especially Pinochle and Canasta. We remember playing with Grandpa and Grandma Ruth and Mom, then with Sue’s kids, and now with Sue’s grandchildren. Mom played any chance she got.
Mom enjoyed traveling with her family and with her church women’s groups. She thought the four summers in Fresno, California, while Dad earned his master’s were great! They enjoyed camping, road trips, even to Chicago and went on several cruises. They made many trips to Centralia to visit her sister and brother-in-law. Mom was always ready to go!
Mom was rarely seen without a big smile on her face! She was truly kind and unselfish and the best mom and grandma ever! She frequently babysat her grandchildren reading to them, playing games with them, taking them to the playground, and playing catch and kickball with them.
Verna is survived by her husband Deane McCoy, her daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Larry Bale, her son Donald and his partner Laureen Bever, her grandchildren Ben (Marie) Bale, Sheryl (Danny) Roth, Joel (Andrea) Bale, Jonathan Bale and Levi (Ashley Huynh) Bale. Her great-grandchildren are Alex and Josh Bale and Donovan, Brennan, Cameron, and Georgia Bale. She was preceded in death by her parents Harold and Nellie Ruth, and her sister Patty (Clinton) Rigg.
A service will take place Saturday, May 11th at 11 a.m. at the Raymond First Baptist Church, followed by a meal.
Memorials may be made to Raymond First Baptist Church.
