Rev. Vernia Garrett McCoy Obituary 1938-2022

Rev. Vernia Garrett McCoy ws born in Franklinton, La., to Isaac James Garrett, Sr. and Vander Anthony Garrett. She was batptized at Winans United Methodist Church. She was educated in the Washington Parish School System and earned here hight school diploma from Washington Parish Colored School in 1952. She furthered her education at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., where, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and a Masters of Education in Counselors Education. She taught school for thirty-two years in the Tangipahoa Parish School System. She was united in marriage to Fred McCoy on December 24, 1955. This union was blessed with three of their own children and a niece thy raised as their own child.

She was a faithful, hardworking member of Grants Chapel AME Church. She answered the call to preach and was ordained an Itinerant Elder in the  Eighth Episcopal District in the Louisiana Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She studies at the International Theological Center and earned a Certificate of Theology. Rev. McCoy was licenses to preach in 1996 and was later appointed to St. James AME Church Airport Rd. She served there until her retirement. After retirement, she returned to Grants Chapel AME Church and continued to serve in many capacities.

Rev. McCoy was a member of Shady Grove Order of Eastern Star #134 PHA. She served as  Chaplin and was a past Worthy Matron. She joined Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., and remained active in the Theta Theta Zeta Chapter. She diligently served with North Oaks Hospice for over 20 years. SH was a m ember of the Golden Tones Choir for the Hammond Recreation Department.

Her beautiful life will be forever cherished in the lives of her children: Roderick McCoy Sr., Zander McCoy and Samaria Rose McCoy; one special daughter, Corriene McCoy; siblings Ella Rose Brookins, Catherine G. Brown and Jerry Garrett (Mary); four grandchildren; five great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Fred McCoy; siblings; Purvis Garrett, Isaac Garrett, Jr., Willie Dean Brickman, Betty Blackburn, Shirley Garrett Martin, David Garrett, Melvin Garrett, Sr., Benjamin Garrett and Rodney Garrett; and niece she raised as her own, Johnnie Mae McCoy.

The Paper Trail to Our Grandparents’ Lives

Conducting genealogy research
Tangipahoa Parish Clerk's Office

Have you ever considered how one might begin the process of researching their family history? This question captures the curiosity that led Dr. Valarie Richardson and her brother, Earl Scott Richardson, Jr., to embark on their first endeavor into genealogy research. They were guided in this pursuit by genealogist and local historian Dr. Antoinette Harrell at the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk's Office. The experience marked a significant milestone for them, as it was their inaugural attempt at exploring their familial roots.

One of the most compelling discoveries during their research was the marriage record of their great aunt Hattie Wheat, which piqued their interest. Additionally, they learned of a connection through my paternal great-uncle, Theodore Harrell, who was married to their great-aunt Rosa Wheat. The finding of this particular marriage record was both unexpected and fascinating to them. Furthermore, as they examined the marriage index book, they identified several of their great aunts from the Wheat side of their family, further enriching their understanding of their ancestral lineage.

Richardson's Funeral Home was established by their grandparents, Supt. Alexander Richardson and Aunt Melissa Wheat Richardson. During the 1960s, their grandfather was employed at Good Shepherd Funeral Home, where he contributed to its operations. Additionally, the records of Campbell Funeral Home, an institution founded in the 1940s, were also reviewed as part of this investigation.

In the course of conducting our research, we were accompanied by Susan Roesgen, a WGNO news anchor, and her cameraman. Susan observed as we navigated the courthouse, uncovering valuable historical details within the chattel books, which were so heavy they felt as though they weighed at least 25 pounds. By the conclusion of the day, my arms were sore from repeatedly lifting these cumbersome volumes. Despite the challenges, including a bomb threat at the courthouse, we were able to complete a successful research trip with the assistance of the clerk's employees.