Obituary of Josephine Calhoun McCoy

Josephine “Jo” Calhoun McCoy, age 89 of Bedford, passed away Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at Oakwood Health & Rehab. Center.   She was born on July 24, 1928 in Farmville, a daughter of the late John Leslie Calhoun and Gracie Slusser Calhoun.  She was also preceded in death by her husband, Arnold McCoy, a sister, Elizabeth Linkous, brothers, Robert & J. Alvin Calhoun and foster son, Charlie “Buster” Carroll.

Jo was an ambassador for spreading God’s love to all ages.  She had “triple” love for children. This led to forty years of dedication to many 3, 4 and 5 year old students at McCoy Kiddie Kollege, which was a positive and nurturing step into life’s journey for many in the Bedford community.  Many children, as adults now, remembers, “GOD LOVES YOU AND HAS A WONDERFUL PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE.”  This was always recited after the blessing was said and it was her desire that each child would carry that statement in their heart throughout their life. 

Besides her Christian walk & the children, Jo also enjoyed walks in the rain, yard sales, painting & drawing, playing bridge & whopper burgers.  But most of all, Jo loved Christmas time.  Her home was always decorated beautifully with the nativity at the center of it all.  The celebration of Jesus’ birth was always in her heart.  That day became even more special to her when God called her husband, Arnold, home that day.  

She is survived by her daughter, Kathy L. McCoy; a sister, Marjorie Akers; a foster daughter-in-law, Vickie Carroll; foster grandson, Patrick (Michelle) Carroll; foster granddaughter, Laura (Frank) Kregloe; foster great grandson, Zachary Carroll; sisters-in-law, Rita Calhoun, Dana White, Cleo McCoy & Pauline McCoy.  In addition, she is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends that Jo loved very much.  

Kathy would like to thank everyone at Oakwood Health & Rehab for the excellent care and love shown to her mother over the years.  You became dear friends and she will always hold a special place in her heart for each of you. 
 
The family requests that those wishing to make memorials, please consider Bedford Baptist Church, 1516 Oakwood Street, Bedford, VA 24523 or Campus Crusade “CRU”, 100 Lake Hart Drive, Orlando, FL 32832 or https;/Give.CRU.org

 A funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford with Rev. Mark Griffith officiating.  Interment will follow in Thaxton Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 PM on Wednesday evening at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.