Lela Fay McCoy of Dexter, formerly Charter Oak, daughter of the late Eli Harvey and Mary Jane Epperson Bryant, was born in Center Ridge, Arkansas on December 1, 1921, and passed away at the home of her daughter in Dexter, Missouri on October 17, 2016, at the age of 94 years, 10 months and 16 days.

She had lived in Center Ridge, Arkansas before moving to Southeast Missouri in 1952. She had been a school teacher and had taught in Heber Springs and Center Ridge, Arkansas and then in Charter Oak, Risco, East Prairie & Malden schools. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Essex. She had received recognition in "Who's Who in American Education".

Surviving are three daughters, Weatia Jane Cannon of Green Ridge, Missouri, Lela Jeannine McCoy of Lubbock, Texas, Jan Rene Powell of Dexter; one son, William Elwood "Woody" McCoy of Bloomfield; 14 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; one brother, Jimmie Frank Bryant of Morrilton, Arkansas; two sisters, Nina Scroggins of Center Ridge, Arkansas and Murriel Dixon of Morrilton, Arkansas. Other relatives and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by one son, Robert Eli "Bob" Steele; three brothers, Hubert Lane, Doy E. and Afton Bryant; five sisters, Marvel Noakes, Thomasa LaJoy Oliger, Bertie Flowers, Betty Louise Flowers and Mary Rita Sutton.

Visitations will be held on Friday, October 21, 2016, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri with funeral services to follow at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home with Bro. Herman Morse of Dexter officiating.

Interment will be in the Halbrook Cemetery near Center Ridge, Arkansas at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, 2016, with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 or the Southern Children's Home, P O Box 649, Morrilton, AR 72110.