Marie Mccoy

Marie McCoy was born in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1949, during a time when segregation shaped the daily lives of Black families in the South. As the oldest daughter of Franklin McCoy and Hattie Mae Young-McCoy, she learned early the value of strength, faith, and perseverance. Her family was a pillar of pride and stability. Her father, Franklin McCoy, was a highly respected brick mason known throughout Columbia, serving as one of the foremen who helped build Williams-Brice Stadium, a lasting symbol of his craftsmanship and dedication.

Determined to build her own legacy, she served honorably in the United States Coast Guard, and later worked for BellSouth, where she was one of only a handful of Black women employed during that era. Despite the challenges of the time, she carried herself with professionalism and resilience, opening doors that had long been closed to women of color. In 1980, she stepped boldly into entrepreneurship, and later earned her Paralegal Certification from Atlanta Area Technical College, expanding her knowledge and career opportunities.

A woman of deep faith, she is a dedicated member of Greater New Hope Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, where she continues to grow spiritually and support her community.

Through every chapter, her love for her family has been her anchor. She is the devoted mother of Robyn McCoy and the proud “Ya-Ya” to her cherished grandchildren, Joshua (22) and JaDa (16). They are her joy, her motivation, and her greatest blessings.

Over the years, she has come to understand that life is a journey of reflection, growth, and grace. She often says that there are days when you want to stop, days when doubt creeps in, and days when you wonder whether you’re moving in the right direction. But she believes firmly that taking the time to sit down, reflect, and analyze your life brings clarity to your values and strengthens your spirit. She acknowledges her mistakes with honesty, knowing that mistakes are not failures — they are lessons, stepping-stones, and opportunities for the next breakthrough.

This is the wisdom she passes on to her daughter: “You will have good days, and you will have bad ones. It’s how you come through those bad days that makes you stronger. Your bad days may sometimes outweigh your good days, but each day is a new story, a new blessing that God has already prepared for you. I’ve laid the foundation — now it’s time for you to make your footprints.”

Her life is a testament to courage, grace, resilience, and faith — a legacy built not only through accomplishments, but through love, perseverance, and the wisdom she has shared with those who follow.