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Friends, family mourn victim, 11, of Warren drive-by
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Friends and Family hug outside the church Greater Apostolic Faith Church, in Warren as Lloyd McCoy, the 11-year-old who died in a drive-by shooting, was laid to rest Tuesday afternoon.
By Ed Runyan
‘We loved him, but God loved him best,’ his godfather said.
WARREN — Lloyd McCoy Jr. was “spoiled,” the only boy with three older sisters.
He played numerous sports, including baseball, basketball and football. He had nearly every video game system available, and could make people laugh at the way he talked.
When one of his older sisters, Chelise McCoy, teased him recently by asking whether his girlfriend would still like him if she knew he sucked his thumb, the 11-year-old replied: “If she don’t like me for who I am, then she can leave.”
The Willard K-8 sixth-grader was variously known as “Bones,” “Tweet,” and “Coy” — all terms of affection for a boy who was loved by everybody.
“Due to his sensitivity, Lloyd would touch you in places that don’t get touched very often. Obviously I’m not the only one who feels this way,” said Ed Ashcroft, lead principal at Willard, referring to the hundreds of visitors who came to the funeral.
Ashcroft, Chelise McCoy and numerous others spoke at Lloyd’s service Tuesday afternoon at Greater Apostolic Faith Church on Tod Avenue Northwest.
Lloyd was the accidental victim of a drive-by shooting April 13 at the house of his sister, which is across the street from where he lived on Wick Street Southeast. His sister’s boyfriend, Marvin J. Chaney, was also killed. Three men are charged in the deaths of Lloyd and Chaney.
Lloyd died April 21 in St. Elizabeth Health Center.
“He was a spoiled brat. He got everything,” Chelise said as she stood with one of her sisters, Brittnay McCoy, remembering her brother.
One time, Lloyd got a $50 pair of basketball shoes dirty, but his father, Lloyd McCoy Sr. didn’t get angry.
“We’ll get him another pair,” her father said.
Another time, Lloyd called her on the phone to say that someone had stolen his bicycle. A short time later, she talked to him again and asked him what he was doing. “Riding my bicycle,” he said.
His parents had bought him a new one, she said.
“He loved his sisters, and we loved him,” she said. “We’re going to miss him parking that bike in the driveway like it was a car,” she said.
One time, when she asked Lloyd how his baseball game went, he replied: “We smoked them like hot sauce,” she said, laughing.
The homily offered by the Rev. David Herron Sr. of Monument of Faith church in Warren focused on things Warren residents can do to learn from Lloyd’s death. Most other speakers focused on the joy Lloyd brought to family and friends.
His uncle and godfather, Howard Montell McCoy, said the boy was a “superstar” who didn’t stay on Earth a long time but had a big impact.
“I bless God for letting us have Coy for the time we had,” he said. “We loved him, but God loved him best.”
He added, “Whatever [Lloyd] decided to do, he accomplished. I’m here to tell you he’s not dead. He’s asleep.”
Added the Rev. Mr.Herron, “It seems like we’re confused by so many problems, and we don’t have the answers, but our Lord has the answers. I believe little Lloyd is absent from his body, but I’m here to tell you he is present with the Lord.”
runyan@vindy.com