John O. McCoy

John Owen McCoy died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, July 27, 2013, one day prior to his 90th birthday. He was the son of the late John O. McCoy and Susie Pruitt McCoy. Although born in Atlanta, John and his family moved to the rural town of Homer in Banks County, Ga. as a result of the Great Depression. After receiving degrees from North Georgia College and the University of Georgia, John served his country in the Army in Europe during WW II. On his return, he entered and received his law degree from Duke University School of Law. In 1949, he married the love of his life, Wilba Chambers Stanfield of Durham, N.C. John was a devoted husband and partner to Wilba throughout their 57 wonderful years of marriage until Wilba’s death in June, 2006. They had two children, four beautiful granddaughters and a precious great granddaughter - all of whom he was especially proud. Also in 1949, John accepted a position in the tax department of Arthur Andersen & Co. in Atlanta, Ga. where he spent his entire thirty-seven year professional career. In 1950, he was admitted to the Georgia Bar and in 1953 became a Certified Public Accountant. In 1960, he became the first tax professional hired in the Atlanta office to become a partner and served as head of the Tax Department from 1958 – 1969. For a number of years, he also held Firmwide responsibility for Arthur Andersen’s Estate and Personal Financial Planning practice. John and Wilba were charter members of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church where they each served faithfully until their deaths. John served on many committees within the church including several terms as Chairman of the Diaconate and taught a Bible class for over forty years. John was also predeceased by his two sisters, Rachel N. McCoy and Susan M. Caudell. Survivors include his son, John O. McCoy, Jr. and his wife Nancy of Houston, TX, his daughter, Melinda M. Hall and her husband, Leon, of Atlanta, GA, granddaughters Cynthia Austin, Margaret Jernberg, Karen Hepfer and Katie McCoy, great granddaughter, Cadence Austin, two nephews, Thomas M. Caudell and Robert M. Caudell and many wonderful friends. Funeral services will be held at the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, 850 Mt. Vernon Highway at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 31st followed by a reception at the church and interment at Arlington Memorial Park, also on Mt. Vernon Highway. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 o’clock p.m. at H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Road, Sandy Springs. (404) 851-9900. Those wishing to make memorial gifts may do so to Mt. Vernon Baptist Church/in memory of John McCoy.