Born:  7 March 1911 - Palestine, Anderson, Texas Died:  15 April 2009 Father:  Andrew McCoy Mother:  Mattie Ellis Spouse:  Carl McFarland Spouse:  George Dewey Scales - 25 February 1949

Verniece Vairee McCoy Scales was the only daughter and youngest child of Andrew and Mattie Ellis McCoy, and was born on March 7, 1911 in Palestine, Texas. She literally grew up in Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church where she became a Bible scholar.  Following the lead of her mother and father, she developed a deep abiding faith in the Lord and professed her love for Jesus Christ.  Through the years, she served with devotion as musician.  Sunday school teacher/superintendent, vacation Bible school director, mission worker and on the trustee board. Verniece McCoy was valedictorian of her Lincoln High School class and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Wiley College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.  She earned a Master of Education Degree from Texas Southern University. She married Carl McFarland and from 1944 to 1946 they lived in Bremerton, WA where she was employed by the U.S. Postal Service.  One of a few surviving circle of friends and dedicated educators who taught at Flint Hill, Green Bay and Palestine Independent School District, she was a no-nonsense teacher of English who stressed high standards in writing, speaking, correct grammar and perfect penmanship.  In 1976 after 42 years, she retired from Palestine ISD. Because of her efforts and encouragement, many of her students were prepared for and successfully attained high career goals.  Her legacy is the positive parental impact she made on the lives of young people.  Recently, the Palestine High School class of 1978 honored her during their 30th reunion by designating a scholarship award in her name. She  led by example in her personal community service, through involvement in the American Cancer Society, Meals on Wheels, Palestine Housing authority, Sunshine Guild of Trinity Valley Medical Center and United Way. She contributed historical and human interest articles to the Palestine Herald-Press and was a winning participant in senior citizen's spelling bees.  She held membership in the Texas Retired Teachers Association and was a life member of the NAACP. Counted among her honors is the 1997 Sojourner Truth Award given by the Palestine Negro Business and Professional Women's Club, Inc. As a member of the Anderson County Civic League, Mrs. Scales served as director of transportation and was the facilitator of a summer reading program. Her fraternal affiliations included local, state and national positions as Grand Worth and Assistant Supreme Worthy Register of Deeds of the Grand Court and Supreme Court Order of the Calanthe.  Hers was a life of service. Verniece Scales entered Life Eternal on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at Cartmell Home for Aged, Inc.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, George Dewey scales; brothers, Dilley Andrew McCoy, Hansel Darnell McCoy and Edward McCoy, Sr. (whose twin brother Howard died in childhood) Mrs. Scales is survived by her brothers' surviving children, Gwendolyn Sims of Atlanta, Georgia, Hansel D. McCoy, Jr. of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Andrew McCoy of Houston, Mary Catherine Thornton of Houston, Verniece Criddell of Cedar Hill, Carolyn Stewart of Palestine and Edward McCoy, Jr. of Palestine; L.V. McCoy of Compton CA.; all of their children and grandchildren; her beloved sister-in-law, Georgia E. McCoy; cousin, Charles H. Smith of Detroit, Michigan; extended family members and lifelong friends.

The pictures and images used on the Memorial Cemetery pages were
furnished by the Anderson County Historical Commission and the pages
were compiled by Beverly Bailey Odom and Scott Fitzgerald.

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Copyright 2005 -
East Texas Genealogical Society and the Individual Contributors