Gertrude McCoy was born February 24, 1943 in Pope County Atkins, Arkansas. She was the sixth child of eleven born to the union of Eddie and Rena Williams. She departed this life on July 22, 2022.

Gertrude professed a hope in Christ and lived her life as a Christian woman. She joined the Diggs Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Blackwell, Arkansas. She was educated in the Pope and Conway County School System in Arkansas where she graduated at the age of 16. She then relocated to Kansas City, Missouri. Gertrude then married Sylvester McCoy Sr.

Gertrude United with Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church in Kansas City, Missouri where she began her Christian service. Her service included: Youth Sewing Class instructor, Usher Board, Sunday School Teacher, Charter member of the O.D. Carson Metronaires, Church greeter, member of Sister Act Liturgical Dance group, Woman's prayer group, the Praisers devotional singing group and for many years she beautified the church landscape with plants and flowers.

Gertrude was employed at Western Electric/AT&T, Henry Wurst and Kansas City Royals. Her joy was working for her Boys in Blue The Kansas City Royal for 18 years. She has an extensive collection of Royal memorabilia. She taught a sewing class to the students at University Academy Charter School. Gertrude was the family historian for her maternal (Swinton) and paternal (Williams) families. She created the first history books for each family which was an enormous undertaking.  A job of this size has not been repeated. For many years she was an avid bowler for many years. Gertrude was also an entrepreneur. She had a cleaning business with her sister Edwinnia and she established her own business called "McCoy's Cultural Quilts".  In this business she was able to express her creativity in making quilts, pillows, throws, bags, etc. Although this was her business, she often gifted many of her sewing projects. Several times a week you could find her at the Bingo Hall.

Something Gertrude enjoyed was traveling which included going to Africa, New York, Washington D.C., all the family reunions, cruising and many other places.

She was preceded in death by her husband, both parents, four sisters Bobbie Sue Williams, Clarice Young, Rutha Jean White and Lutricia Northern, grandson Vincent Otis Lindsay II and great grandson Stephon McCoy.

She leaves to cherish her memories her children Sharon Lindsay, Sylvester McCoy Jr and Lisa (Philip) Cole; two step children Terrence (Mona) Tyler and Gwendolyn Lee; five sisters, Mary Williams, Edwinnia (Luther) McDaniel, Margaret (Jones) Byers, Rev. Janet (Richard) Johnson, Lee Noria Williams; one brother Billy Williams; thirteen grandchildren Antoinette (Russell) Hill, DeAnthony McCoy, Vanecia (Domingo) Codner, Lakeisha McCoy, Sylvester McCoy III, Rickell Lee, Ebone' McCoy-Griffin, Phyllis Cole, Cullen (Valisya) McCoy-Griffin, Terrance McCoy, Calvin McCoy, Grace Cole and Philip Cole; fourteen great-grandchildren with the oldest Ta'Von Tusa, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Services for Mrs. McCoy will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church.  Burial Forest Hill Cemetery.  Friends may call from 9:00 A.M. until service time Saturday at the church.

Thoughtful care and services handled by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc.