Rita Ethylene McCoy

Rita Ethylene Dry was born June 16, 1932, in Commerce, Oklahoma. She married Cowan “Joe” McCoy, October 10, 1955. Shortly after their marriage, they moved together to Washington State. She is survived by three of her four children: Gary (deceased), Danny, Sharon, and Tonya. She was blessed with 14 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. Sister, Glynda, and many nieces and nephews.

Mom loved to learn. She loved school and was proud of herself for her grades and perfect penmanship certificates. She was disappointed when she had to quit school to help her family financially, but she never stopped learning. She went on to get her GED along with other educational pursuits. Mom’s many jobs included: waitressing at Bob’s Chicken Dinner house; working at Edmonds Unemployment Agency; working at Boeing during the year the first 747 rolled out; cosmetologist and realtor/property manager. She was one of the first to have an in-home computer and the she loved learning how to use it. By far her favorite “job” was hair and make up. She learned to cut hair by listening to a 45 record in 1965. She was amazing. She eventually joined the Snohomish High School cosmetology program and became an official cosmetologist in 1976.

Our mom had many talents. From an early age, music was a major part of our mother’s life. She learned to play by ear and started playing the piano at around age 6. By 12 years of age she was playing in her church. Our mom played the organ, piano, and accordion, as well as the guitar and drums. She would play in the most beautiful melodious fashion, adding her own style that would stop you in your tracks to listen. She had a beautiful voice as well. Her sisters, Goldie and Glynda, would sing together with such gorgeous harmony. A favorite song of theirs was ‘Sentimental Journey’. Her musical talents were passed down to her kids and grandkids alike. She instilled a love for all kinds of music, but especially gospel. Our mother also blessed her children and grandchildren with beautiful crocheted, blankets, pillows and doilies. They are treasured gifts of love that were given from her heart.

Our beautiful, kind and caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother will be missed, but knowing that she is free from pain and has now been joined with her husband of 58 years and older son, Gary, and all those who have gone before brings comfort. Her faith in God and looking forward to meeting Jesus is a consolation that brings peace and joy to our hearts.