BRINKLEYKatie Pearl Jones McKoy, 98 years, 8 months and 25 days old, died Friday evening, June 20, 2008.
She was born on Sept. 26, 1909 at Philadelphia, Miss., to John Henry and Bessie Dennis Jones. Katie Pearl, as she would be known to family and friends, would be one of six children born to this family. At the age of 10 years old, she came to Arkansas with her parents and four brothers.
On May 19, 1926 she was united in marriage to Thomas Henry McKoy. This family would be blessed with two sons and a daughter. She dedicated her life to being a wife, mother and grandmother and assisted her husband at their McKoy General Store east of Clarendon. She always worked the polls at election time and enjoyed the many hot topics that would be discussed by the store patrons.
A member of the Shiloh Methodist Church, Mrs. McKoy served as church trustee and was the church organist for 65 years. She also served as curator of Shiloh Cemetery for 25 years.
A true Southern lady of great character, her philosophy of life was "If you can't say something nice about someone, don't say anything." She loved people and enjoyed visiting with every one. After her husband passed away, she moved to Brinkley to be near her daughter and for many years worked with her family at Low's Bridal and Formal. She worked with the brides and assisted with their weddings and receptions. In her 80s, the state newspaper honored her with an article highlighting her work.
One of the highlights other life was being selected to appear on TV in commercials for Dr. Mike McFarland Eye Clinic. The commercial appeared on TV over 3,000 times. She was a former member of the Pine Ridge Home Demonstration Club, participated in the PTA while her children were growing up, and was a member of the Methodist Church for over 86 years. She was a member of the Area Aging Agency and an honorary member of Riceland Chapter of the Eastern Star where she served in several stations.
In her younger days, Mrs. McKoy would raise large gardens and can the harvest. She was an excellent cook who loved to entertain and her recipes were always sought after. Her favorite TV program was "Wheel of Fortune" and when it came on everything had to wait! She also loved to drive and was fortunate enough to be able to drive until she was 92 years old. She always carried her car keys in case of an emergency and her car is still parked in her driveway today.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 59 years; a son, Usher Bryant McKoy; and three brothers. Henry Ethel Jones, Robert Barren Jones and Bonnie Topel Jones.
Survivors are a daughter, Margo Low and husband, Bob, of Brinkley; a son, Thomas McKoy and wife, Ellen, of Seattle, Wash.; four grandchildren, Dorcas Prince and husband, Stan, Rebecca Low, John McKoy and Chris McKoy; a brother, George Oliver Jones of New London, Conn.; a sister, Margaret Elizabeth Jones Tisdale of Jackson, Miss.; and special friend, Virginia Cook of McCrory.
Funeral services were Monday at the First United Methodist Church in Brinkley with the Rev. David Swift officiating. Burial was in Shady Grove Cemetery at Clarendon. Pallbearers were Bobby Ray, Harry Grubbs, Tommy Miller, Tay Thomas, Wayne Beadles and Robert Beard. Honorary pallbearers were Bobby Henard, Gene Miller, Larry Morris, Edgar Fowler, Harry Newby, Roger Lacefield and Troy McGraw.
