Diane E. McCoy

On March 13, 2024, Diane E. McCoy answered the Master’s call to “Come Home”. Diane was 75 years old. Born on August 1, 1948, in Lynchburg, Virginia to the late John Patillo and Ida Frances Patillo. She was the 8th of 11 children. 

Diane grew up in Philadelphia on the North side. 2308 N. Myrtlewood Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was her home. Her baby sister Cynthia shared that she and Diane would always say that if they ever were to lose their sight to take them back to 2308 Myrtlewood because they knew every “nook and cranny” about that house. After laughing uncontrollably, they would reminiscence on the close, familial ties nurtured on Myrtlewood Street between the Patillo’s, Pouncey’s and Powell’s families. This left a longing for Diane to return home, which she referred to often throughout her illness - for 2308 N. Myrtlewood was home, and she never forgot it. 

Diane always enjoyed listening to music and keeping the house clean. She was the care giver for her baby sisters Joan and Cynthia and her baby brother Donald. Cynthia stated that “Diane took very good care of us. She was our boss – what she told us to do, we did it!”  At the age of 17, Diane married Robert on May 15, 1965. She developed a love for travel as a military wife and mother.  

Arriving in Germany in March of 1974 she became the manager for the Non-Commissioned Officers Club and an Assistant Director for the DYA. She graduated from the Great Plains Area Vo-Tech School in Lawton, Oklahoma in 1982 whereby she became a certified Licensed Practical Nurse. After graduating she joined Comanche County Memorial Hospital in January 1982 in Lawton, Oklahoma. In October 1984 she was employed at Letterman Army Medical Center at the Presidio of San Francisco, California. There she worked in the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit, delivering and providing care for premature babies from birth to discharge. In 1985, Diane moved back to Lynchburg, Virginia and worked at the Medical Care Center where she cared for up to 64 patients on a skill unit. In 1989 Diane served as the Assistant Director of Nursing at Grace Lodge until 1992. Thereafter, she worked at the Oaks Senior Care Home after which she retired from nursing in 1994 due to an on-the-job injury. She was baptized at Court Street Baptist Church by Reverend Carter.

Diane’s hobbies include playing Bingo and Pokeno, providing care for others, traveling, singing, dancing, and listening to music. She provided meals for the Fraternal Order of Police. Ultimately, she personified the spirit of hospitality. 

She is proceeded in death by her brothers John Jr. (Billie), Willie (Toby), Larenzo (Lonnie), James, Donald, and sisters Joan Edwards and Ruby Brown.

She is survived by her husband Robert C. McCoy Jr. of 58 years and to their union three children, Mark McCoy (Nikki), LaTonya Womack (Tim) and Dawn Parker (Keith); 11 grandchildren, NaTasha, Mark Jr., Malcolm, Datez, Daja, Dwayne Jr., Dale, Tevin, Kirstyn, Kyler, and Keith II; 7 great grandchildren, Raedyn, Milani, a new baby on the way, Dwayne III, Dawson, Daniella, and Alyssa. She leaves behind to cherish he memory one brother Robert Sr. Patillo (Janet) and two sisters Loretta Wilson (William) and Cynthia Mitchell; two sisters-in-laws Carla Patillo and Ethel Patillo; a devoted niece, Cathy Haskins (Curtis) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other beloved relatives and friends.