Betty Jo Spence McCoy, 80, of Beaumont, died Sunday, July 24, 2011, at Jefferson Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Beaumont.

She was born April 28, 1931, to Florine McClelland Richardson and Joe Richardson in Hallsville, and had been a resident of the Beaumont area most of her life.  She was a secretary with the State Farm Insurance Claims Office in Beaumont.

Betty enjoyed writing and was the author of many short stories about growing up in the Northeast Texas area.  She realized a lifelong dream when she completed a novel and had it published.  Betty was a devoted wife and mother and loyal friend.

Survivors include her husband, Emery L. McCoy of Beaumont; daughters, Gail Spence Abshire and Judith Ann Philen and her husband, Richard all of Beaumont; step-daughter, Ann Richardson and her husband, Kenneth of Lumberton; step-grandchildren, Lora Richardson of Mooresville, Indiana and Kelly Mullins and her husband, Michael of Clinton, Indiana; great-step-grandchildren, Summer Mullins and Mathew Mullins both of Clinton, Indiana; uncle, John Richardson of Waco; nieces, Patti Bryan of Henderson, Jeri Coke of Bullard and LaQuita Knox of Pflugerville; and her nephew, Billy Capps of Henderson.

She is preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Herman Spence; and sister, Ann Capps.

Her funeral service will be 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont with a graveside service at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Highway 323, Henderson.  A gathering of her family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at Broussard’s.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 700 North Street, Suite M, Beaumont, Texas 77701.