Rev. Dr. Linnard McCoy – Metropolitan Funeral

Rev. Dr. Linnard McCoy was born in Durham, North Carolina on July 9, 1936 to the late Conway Burton and Maggie Odessa McCoy. He was loving raised by the late Atlas and Willie Beatrice McCoy Dunlap who not only dedicated their life but loved him unconditionally. Surrounded by his wife minister Rita McCoy, family and dear friends he transitioned peacefully into the Father’s arms on July 7, 2023 at his residence at the age of 86. In addition to his loving parents, Rev. Dr. McCoy now joins his siblings who preceded him in death: Mildred Rogers, Alando Clark, Jasper Clark Jr, Syndedda Clark. Doc”, “Rev” joined Mt Gilead Baptist Church in Durham, NC as a child.

Rev. Dr. McCoy was a graduate of Hillside High School in 1954 in Durham, North Carolina. After graduating he joined the United States Navy, where he served for four years. He was a Vietnam Veteran.  Rev. Dr. McCoy made many great accomplishments throughout his life. He established a lifelong career in brick masonry until he retired in 2001. With his trade, he trained and taught other young men to master the skill of brick masonry. His skills did not stop at brick masonry. “Doc, Mac, Rev or Mr. McCoy” as he was affectionally known as, dealt in architecture and remodeling. He continued his education and received his Bachelor of Science in 1975 from Norfolk State College {NSU}, Master of Divinity in 1998, Virginia Union University, Doctor of Philosophy from Northwestern International University in 2001. He received recognition from Norfolk Skill Center for 35 years of dedicated service.  In 1995, he was ordained and licensed at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church Norfolk under the leadership of Pastor Ronnie D. Joyner. Rev. Dr. McCoy was a member The Baptist General Convention of Virginia. 

He leaves to celebrate his life and cherish their memories, his wife, Minister Rita McCoy, Mother-in-law Carolyn Gay Joyner. Three sons, Gregory (Shaneca) Norfolk, VA Linnard (Geneva), Maryland, and Patrick Stancil, Stamford, CT; Five daughters, Linda Mitchell, Durham, NC, Elder Katrina Swann (Elder Lynwood), Durham, NC, Tonya Boyd (Rev. Larry), Chesapeake, VA, Sherry Bannister (James) White Plains, NY and Tonya Gantt (Bobby), Norwalk CT, 26 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, three sisters Adeline Maria Young, Atlanta, GA, Patricia Russell Durham, NC and Turisa Bright Raleigh, NC.  Three sisters-in-law, Annette Gay, Vanessa Hamilton, Adrienne Joyner, Kim Ross, Two brothers-in-law, Elvin Gay (Maggie) Bernard Bryant (Janice) and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

I FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT

No time to cry, don’t shed a tear, I am with God, in you I am here,

I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, and I kept the faith:

II Timothy 4:7 “Love you, God Bless and hope to see you soon!”