Dorothy Savannah McCoy

Dorothy Savannah Renner McCoy, age 102, passed away at her home on Saturday, March 19, 2011. Mrs. McCoy was born in Greene County, Tennessee September 28, 1908 to William Renner and Louisa Lehann Bible Renner. Her father, a prominent farmer, moved his large family to the Flint Springs Community in Bradley County in 1925. She attended Flint Springs School and helped he brothers in the large farm operations. As a teenager she drove a Model T truck daily to the Cleveland Creamery with cream from the family dairy, as well as neighboring dairies. In 1930, at age 22, she married Joseph Theodore "Ted" McCoy. Ted and "Dot" (as she was known by her husband) acquired their own farm which evolved into Red Bud Dairy Farm which they operated until retirement in 1972. In addition to helping her husband in all phases of farm work, she was actively involved in community life. She was a Charter Member of the Flint Springs Home Demonstration Club, (FCE), a member of Flint Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and served as Sunday School Teacher, Bible School worker and church camp cook. Along with her husband she worked tirelessly on projects for the Bradley Farmers Co-op, Bradley County Soil Conservation District and the Flint Springs Ruritan Club. After retirement from the dairy farm, the McCoys spent many hours working in their large garden and preserving food for family and neighbors. They also traveled extensively throughout the United States. Mrs. McCoy was an accomplished seamstress. Her embroidery was exceptional and her handmade quilts a work of art. She pieced and quilted countless quilts for each family member as well as friends. Each quilt is a treasure. Her husband of 67 years died in 1997 after a lengthy illness. She was also preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Paul, Marvin and Archie; three sisters, Clara Bennett, Sue Ada Clabo, Willie Ruth May; sons-in-law, Warren C. Hale, Doyle Dixon and granddaughter Alisa McCoy. Survivors are sisters, Chassie Hannah and Amy Dean Pinckard; brother James Oscar Renner and many nieces and nephews. Her surviving children and spouses are Mildred Hale, Bill and Mary Ellen McCoy, Helen Dixon, Joe and Ruth McCoy all of Cleveland; Linda and Reani Mattox of Munford, AL and Dwight and Khathee McCoy of Darby, MT. Grandchildren: Deborah Tillman of Glennville, GA, Molly Baker of Savannah, GA, Angela Rimes of Pembroke, GA, Harlan Hale of Pretoria, South Africa, Kathy Smith of Chattanooga, Timothy McCoy of Baltimore, MD, Karen Cox of Knoxville, TN, Jennifer Elwood of Salt Lake City, UT, Eric Dixon of Athens, TN, Vincent Mattox of Lineville, AL, Brett Mattox and April Walker of Oxford, AL, Kelly Hapner of Upatoi, GA, Bobby McCoy, Susan Davidson and Joelle Cavitt all of Cleveland; also surviving are 28 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. Special thanks are extended by the family to all of the dedicated and loving caregivers who allowed Mrs. McCoy to remain at home throughout her confinement. Visitation will be at Grissom Funeral Home Monday, March 21, from 4-7 p.m. The funeral will be held at Grissom Funeral Home Tuesday, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior; Herb Conley and Kevin Wilson will officiate. Burial will be at Flint Springs Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bobby McCoy, Timothy McCoy, Brett Mattox, Tyler Smith, Bill Davidson and Heath Cavitt. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Flint Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 517 Mitchell Road, SE, Cleveland, TN 37323, and Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416. "D.S" as she was affectionately known by her family, will be sadly missed by all who knew her.