A Message From Heaven

After Warren died, I wondered what he would be thinking as he looked down on his family. I wrote this poem as though he were saying the words from Heaven. I found this poem tucked away in my baby book - I am pretty sure that I wrote it just after his death.

You'll find things missing in your life for a while,
Such as your happiness, your laughter and your smile.

Your days will be without purpose and your nights very long.
You'll feel that in your heart you'll never hear a song.

Our home will seem silent, empty and blue
Because I am no longer there with you.

But, my love, I am here to tell you these things will pass and go away
Little by little each and every day.

You will feel great comfort knowing I am preparing for our new and wonderful life,
Where you and I will eternally be husband and wife.

Judy McCoy's Baby Book

Born December 9, 1939 at 6:55 a.m. at the Mercy Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Doctor was J. Howard Burns. Weighed 8 lbs 3 oz and was 20" long. Her mom, Ursula William Sandridge, wrote the following comment: "Judy smiled when she was one day old. She has one dimple in the left cheek. A beautiful child!"

Was named Judith Lee Schumaker.

Mother is Ursula W. Sandridge. Grandmother is James William Ramsey and Grandfather is William Robert Sandridge.

Father is Lewis Paul Schumaker. Grandmother is Sara Bell Raikes and Grandfather is Charles W. Schumaker.

Judy's eyes were blue, hair was brown, brows and lashes were light and complexion was fair.

At nine months, she weighed 26 lbs and was 31" tall.

"Judy began crawling at the age of 9 months. She really does fly. Just gets around the house in a very few minutes. I'll be so glad when she walks, for she is so sweet".

"She took her first steps on November 17, 1940. She was so very proud of herself. Bless her little heart".

November 22, 1940: "Judy Lee walked by herself most all evening. She just staggers and wobbles. But bless her heart, she just keeps right on trying until she is exhausted."

Other notes from Judy's baby book: Made her first trip from Baltimore to Washington, D.C. at two months. When she was nine months old, she had her first train ride from Charlottesville, VA to Houston, Texas. She first grasped a small rattler and a chain of blue beads. She chews on it and plays all day. Judy follows me with her eyes where ever I go. Judy now calls me Mummie. She tries so hard to talk. Judy couldn't get over people wearing glasses. She likes all the men. The colors of the funny papers certainly amuse her. On September 6, 1940 her Mom wrote that Judy now had six teeth and loves to eat. On October 28, 1940, she wrote that Judy now has eight teeth and is getting to be quite a lady. On May 20, 1940 Judy put my finger in her mouth and bit it. She is very proud of it. Judy had a grand birthday. I hope and pray she may have as many more as happy as her first."

From Warren's Baby Book

Warren's mother had a baby book for him and she filled in some of the pages.

Born October 28, 1936 at 10:55 p.m. at the Pampa Jarrett Hospital in Pampa, Texas. Doctor was A.B. Goldson. He weighed 7 lbs 7 oz. Eyes were blue, hair was brown and lashes were brown. He had a fair complexion. He held his head up at 1 1/2 months. He was told his prayers at age five and he repeated them at age five.

She wrote the following poem on the "First Birthday" page:

"I know a little blue-eyed boy. A lad just one year old.
But the captivating charm of him I fear cannot be told.

Of teeth, he hasn't many and his words are few.
But he has a way of making a willing slave of you."

March 11, l964

Warren was in Cabimas, Venezuela. The boys and I were at 2411 Rosemead in Pasadena, Texas. Mike was not quite a year old and Donny was almost five. Here is the letter Warren wrote - it is dated March 11, 1964.

Hi Darling,

I tried to write a letter last nite, but remembered the post office is closed today. This is Wednesday and we are not working today. They are swearing in their new president and declared today a national holiday. So, I get a day of rest but will have to work Saturday. These people die, but they don't die because they are overworked. I'd say they are just plain lazy.

I got the letter with the pictures in it. They are real good. Your letters and pictures sure help. The boys sure look good. I'll bet they are really growing. The car looks good too. Oh, the license receipt should be with the rest of the papers. If it's not, call Cole and he'll help you. 12 1/2 miles to the gallon? That's not good. When I checked it last, it was around 16. Don't worry about it. Tell Benjie and Billie I think their car is real pretty..

Well, it's been two months and one week since I saw you last, Darling. Seems longer than that. I'll damn sure not going to leave you again. I miss and love you too much and it's not worth it. I'm not making much money anyway. Baby, don't ever think I don't love you. You and the boys are my whole life. I won't be too much longer, I hope.

I don't know if Daddy is coming home or not. He sure needs to. He hasn't felt well since he's been here and he's gotten very quiet. I just don't know. I agree with you, he shouldn't feel sorry for himself.

Darling, I miss you very much. Sometimes I get very depressed and miserable. I love you with all my heart. Don't ever stop loving me. What more can I say? Just telling you I love you doesn't seem like enough. I sure would like to show you.

Well, Charlie Martin is supposed to come in tonight. Guess I'll get my glasses tomorrow. I need those shirts also.

Honey, I guess I'll close for now. My head is all stopped up and I can't breathe so good. Another damn head cold, I guess.

Kiss our boys for me and tell them I love them. Tell Donny to be real careful on that bicycle.

I love you, miss you, long for you and I am homesick. Keep loving me and it won't be long. Goodnight Darling. I'll be dreaming of you.

With All My Love, All the Way. Me

Seventeen

Warren Weldon McCoy

Warren was about 17 (1953) when this was taken. Don't you just know that he thought he would live forever? What an awesome man!

In Memory of Valentine's Day

Warren and Judy McCoy

Taken August, 1960. We had been married just over two years. We were proud parents of Donald Mack McCoy.

This was in the Houston Post after Mr. Mac killed himself.

Warren Weldon McCoy

Birth: October 28, 1936

Death: March 22, 1999

Warren was born in Pampa, Texas. He was the son of Donald Mack McCoy. His mother's name was Loraine Warren. He was named after his uncle, Weldon B. Warren. He had one brother, Donald Eugene. Warren married Judith Lee Schumaker Mruphy on July 19, 1958 and they stayed happily married until his death. They had two sons, Donald Mack and Michael Ray. His grandson's name is Michael Warren and his granddaughters are named Maegan Jo and Madeline Kay. He was a proud, hard-working and honest person. His family was his passion. His death was caused by exposure to asbestos during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lung) in July of 1997. He left us far to early and his is missed very much. He left a great legacy to his sons and grandchildren. His headstone at the Houston National Cemetery reads: Warren Weldon McCoy, US Marine Corp, Cpl. Korean War, October 28, 1936, March 22, 1999. "Ain't too bad, this'll work" is engraved on his stone. This phrase was a favorite of Warren's. This is usually how he responded when his family asked him a question or wanted his opinion. He is buried in section M2, grave #491. This is the next to the last row in his section. This and other pictures, notes and comments can be found on findagrave.com

Mr. Mack

One of the saddest things for me is to walk into an antique shop and see boxes of old pictures and old pictures in old frames. I always wonder who the people were - they had mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, children - but here their pictures sit. Nobody knows who they were or what their names were.

I want you to meet Mr. Mack - this picture will probably end up in one of those boxes someday because Mr. Mack does not mean anything to anybody except me.

Here is what I know of Mr. Mack - he was married and he and his wife had no children. He didn't even really like children. One day his wife threw some hot oil out the back door and the wind blew it back on her. She died from complications of this.

My great-grandmother, Ada Bodie, was good friends with Mr. Mack's wife. After Mr. Mack's wife's death, he did not have anyone to take care of him. My great-grandmother became Mr. Mack's housekeeper.

When I was about four years old, my Mother left my Father (they later divorced) and she brought me to Texas and we lived with my great-grandmother and Mr. Mack. The porch he is sitting on in the picture is the front porch of the house. It is still at 210 Hutchins Street in Houston, Texas.

Remember I wrote that Mr. Mack did not like children? Well, that was true until I came along. According to my Mother, he adored me. He told me stories and he always told me about how he won at dominos when he would go to the domino parlor each week. That is about all I remember about him.

I was told that he worked for the railroad for many years and that he also played baseball.

Mr. Mack committed suicide. The day Grannie told him that she was not able to care for him any longer and that she was putting him in a nursing home, he pulled out his gun and shot himself in the head.

I was given two things of Mr. Mack's. One is a small round gold pin - it had a diamond in it, but that diamond is now in the wedding ring of my daughter-in-law, Tiffany. Someday that ring will probably go to my granddaughter, Madeline and I want her to know the story of one of the diamonds in the ring. I still have the pin.

The other thing that I have is Mr. Mack's pewter baby cup and pitcher. It is engraved with his name and the date - I can barely see them anymore, but I know they are well over 125 years old. They sit on a shelf above the door in my bedroom. This cup and pitcher won't mean anything to anyone after I am gone, but perhaps this story will mean something.

So, to you, Mr. Mack - I say thank you for loving me when I was a child.

Posted by Judith Lee McCoy - wife of Warren Weldon McCoy

Happy Birthday Warren

Thursday, October 28 was Warren's birthday. He would have been 74. On March 22, it will be eleven years since his death. His beautiful family still flourishes and a lot of that is due to Warren. He taught "his boys" how to love a family and how to create pride within the McCoy family. He has missed so much, but as his beautiful Granddaughter, Maddi, says - "It's ok Nana. He can see us." So I know that he is watching Maddie grow, watching Michael become a wonderful man with a wonderful wife. He is watching as Maegan is happy with her life. He is watching me and I feel his presence every day. He sees his son, Mike and his son Donny and I am sure he is smiling and beaming with joy. He helped raise two very fine men. He will always be missed but so many memories of him walk across my mind every day. (Posted by Judy McCoy, wife of 42 years).

Today is July 19th, 2010. On this day 52 years ago Warren and I eloped and married. What a day! We had no reason to elope - Warren was 21 and I was 18 and my Mom really liked Warren. She once told me that he looked like someone had just given him a good scrubbing - Warren was an impeccable dresser. When we were dating, he wore starched jeans and white shirts and his shoes had that Marine Corp shine. He had spent three years in the Corp. I had told my Mom we were going to the Balanese Room in Galveston and we went to Richmond to a JP. We stayed at the King's Motel on Old Spanish Trail that night. We went home the next day and got our things. We rented a $40 a month garage apartment from a friend of Warren's. Warren has been gone 11 years this past March, but I still celebrate my marriage. Had he lived, we would be celebrating together. He was a wonderful father and husband. EVERY year he would give me a card and I still have every one he has ever given me. So, on this day I say Happy Anniversary to me and to my Warren who now is with the Lord.

Father's Day 2010

Father's Day is approaching. Yellow roses of Texas grow in heaven, Lord pick a bunch for me. Place them in my father's arms and tell him they are from me. Tell him that I love and miss him. When he turns to smile place a kiss upon his cheek and hold him for a long time, because remembering him is easy, I do it every day. There's an ache in my heart that will never go away.

Love, Donny

Father's Day

Sunday, June 20, 2010 - Father's Day. I still miss buying Warren Father's Day cards. He was a great Dad. He did not spend a lot of time playing ball, etc. with the boys. He was always working so they could have a good life. Warren made sure his family had a good life. He was kind, honest, caring, hard-working and his family was his passion. The last year he was with us on Father's Day was in 1998. I cannot believe the years have passed so quickly. I know he is looking down from Heaven and he is beaming with pride as he watches his family. His grandchildren, Maegan Jo, Michael Warren and Madeline Kay are making him proud. AND his "boys" - I cannot begin to tell you how proud he is right now. So, my message to Warren today is, "Sweetheart, you are missed so much and we thank you for the values you taught us and for the love you gave us." When I mention Warren to Madeline, she looks to see if I am crying and she always tells me, "It's ok Nana, he can see us."

That Flying Sucker Frog Again

We had gone back to Venezuela. We were having so many problems with everything. Nothing worked and I hated it! This was one day in 1994, not too long after we arrived. I wrote this story while I was waiting for the frog to leave.

THE RETURN OF THE FLYING SUCKER FROG

A flying sucker frog on the back gate! How in the world am I going to get that gate unlocked so I can pick up 500 rotten mangos? I have a decision to make. Do I risk the frog flying at me or do I leave the mangos and fight the flies and ants? This is a major decision!!

I need to do the laundry, but the washer and dryer are on the patio-just a few feet from the frog. What if he decides to leap at me because I am disturbing his sleep. Is it worth it to sneak onto the patio and risk my life to put clothes in a dryer with a door that needs to be taped shut in order to dry my clothes? The washer will make a lot of noise and, perhaps, wake my friend and cause him to leap at me. Guess I have enough clean clothes to last until he decides he wants to leave us. I don't know though, he looks to be settled in for the rest of the century.

But, then there is the water! My bottled water is on the patio. Yeah, just a few feet from my friend, the frog. Do I dare to risk it? The tap water couldn't be that bad. Well, that is, if you could get the faucet to turn on. Wonder if the frog had anything to do with that? Maybe he wants me on the patio - that's why the dryer door clip the repairman brought me won't work. The frog wants me out there. Perhaps I could go out the front door - now what good would that do me? My water and dryer are on the patio. I wish I had taken survival training. Is it twenty-four hours or twenty-four days that a person can go without water? As my Mother looks down from Heaven, what would she say if I had an accident and didn't have on clean underwear?

And my broom! And my mop! How am I going to get them. My arms aren't long enough to reach them from the doorway or the window. Couldn't reach them through the window even if my arms were long enough. The window is made of four-inch glass panes and they won't open anyway - they are supposed to though.

What about my salt? I was going to put it on the patio to dry out. Well, I guess if the rest of the people here can live with wet salt, so can I.

Maybe I can throw something at him. But what if I actually hit him and he squirted all over the patio?

He's in the wrong place! It's not me he came to terrorize. He remembers a day twenty-five years ago when my husband distrubed him in a little bathroom over a Chinese restaurant in a small town not too far from here. He has come back for revenge. How do I let him know that my husband is a few miles away from here and that I would be delighted to show him the way?

Every once in a while he moves. His positions take on meaning. What meaning? Attack now or later? Am I to live as a prisoner in this house?

What if something goes wrong with the water pump that is on the patio? Well, I already know how long I can live without water - or do I?

The trash needs to be put out. Why did I decide to leave those bags on the back patio anyway? Trash pickup is out front. Without a garbage disposal, you can imagine what the trash will smell like in a couple of days. It will be interesting to see how long I can hold my breath at one time. Wish I had taken survival training. Well, the smell of rotten mangos and garbage can't be that bad, can it? There is a difference between garbage and trash, you know. What I have is garbage!

I wonder how he flys. Is he stuck like glue? Is he waiting until 500 more mangos drop and rot? How do I let him know that if he will just leave and give me a forwarding address, I will send the mangos to him?

Night falls and the laundry is not done and I have discovered that I can go a full day without water. The grit and dirt on the floors seem to add a "lived in" look to the house. I have twenty-four pairs of underwear and I know he can't last twenty-four days without food or water. All I have to do is wait him out. I have a television that I can't understand, newspapers that I can't read - what more do I need?

So, Mr. Flying, Sucking Frog - stay there! You don't know who you're messing with. I am a hard-headed, stubborn woman from Texas with German ancestors.

10-27-91 Donny, Warren & Mike McCoy

Warren McCoy - he always made sure Judy was driving a clean car.

Warren Weldon McCoy

Warren Weldon McCoy and Adam Lowry. Taken in October of 1998. Warren passed away the following March.

Another classic Warren McCoy!

Warren, Donny and Mike entertaining at Christmas!