Background
McCoy was born August 14, 1942 in Booneville, attended Northeast Mississippi Junior College, and graduated from Mississippi State University.
McCoy was born August 14, 1942 in Booneville, attended Northeast Mississippi Junior College, and graduated from Mississippi State University.
He was the Speaker of the of the State of Mississippi. He has worked as a vocational agriculture teacher and as a loan officer for the Farmers Home Administration, as well as a school auditor for the Mississippi State Department of Audit. He continues as a farmer.
In 2008, he faced (and beat) a challenge by conservative fellow Democrat, now Republican Jeff Smith of Columbus, who was supported by the Republicans in the House and by Republican governor Haley Barbour.
On May 25, 2011, McCoy announced that he would not seek re-election to the State House. McCoy is married to the former Edith Leatherwood.
McCoy became a member of the House in 1980, and was elected Speaker in 2004. He is a Baptist, Freemason, and a member of the Farm Bureau. He has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Northeast Mississippi Community College.
