Obituary

Sylvia Ann McCoy, age 86, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 12, 2021 at her home in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She was born January 8, 1935 to Henry W. and Alpha G. Shore in Warrensburg, Missouri, at their home in the middle of a snow storm. She was the middle child of her 4 siblings, two sisters and two brothers. While working hard on academics her junior and senior year of high school, she also completed an apprenticeship at a salon in Warrensburg owned by Margaret Kimsey. Sylvia passed her State board in April of 1953, received her cosmetology license and graduated from high school in May of 1953.

In the early 50’s Elizabeth Stoneking was a client of the beauty salon where Sylvia started her career. Elizabeth introduced Sylvia to her grandson, Marion Shaw. Marion and Sylvia married on June 26, 1953. In 1960 the family moved to Lee’s Summit, Missouri where they planted a new home for their 3 daughters. Shortly after moving to Lee’s Summit, Sylvia waitressed at Cozy Corner Café (Neighbors Cafe) for a few months until she joined Lee’s Summit Beauty Shop.

Sylvia made her next advancement in 1963 at Glamorette Shop and worked for Veda Russell. Sylvia had no idea she would meet a best friend for life working for Veda; her three daughters always called Veda “our other mother.” In 1967 she opened her own beauty salon in the family’s home not far from downtown Lee’s Summit, Sylvia’s Beauty Shop. On May 30, 2003 Sylvia was on the front page of the Lee’s Summit Journal as she moved to partial retirement. The shop and her incredible leadership was recognized as a successful 40-year small business. She spent majority of her career in the beauty shop she worked hard to build. In 2014, Sylvia sold her home and moved to the Lion’s Den; until moving to her final salon Be Inspired, LLC where she finished her 60 plus year career on September 29, 2020.

In the early 70’s Sylvia had a blind date where she met Don McCoy. They married in August of 1975. Don was a good husband and incredible step father to Sylvia’s three daughters.

Sylvia was a woman who loved her family unconditionally. She was a very caring and a generous woman who always put her family first. Family time was important to Sylvia, she went above and beyond for birthdays and holidays, having a big family gathering full of excellent food and card games. She passed the family dinners down to her granddaughters once she moved to Lee Haven. You would always find her walking around downtown Lee’s Summit with her youngest daughter. She would look for change on her walks to stop at Dairy Queen to get a cherry Pepsi, her favorite drink.

Sylvia is preceded in death by Henry and Alpha Shore (parents), Henry Shaw (brother), Mary Laughman (sister), Nettie Simpson (sister), Bobby Merrified (son-in-law).

Survivors Wayne Shore (brother), Donna Merrifield (daughter), Marti Margo (daughter) Allen Margo (son-in-law), Peggy Shaw (daughter), Shawna McDuffy (granddaughter), Lindsey Conrad (granddaughter) Shawn Conrad (grandson-in-law), Ashley Williams (granddaughter), 5 great grandsons, 5 great granddaughters, and one great great grandson.

Sylvia’s Celebration of Life will be held at Langsford Funeral Home (115 SW 3rd Street, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063) on Monday, February 22, 2021 starting with visitation from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., service at 11:00 a.m. and graveside service directly following at Lee’s Summit Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to First Baptist Church of Lee’s Summit or Crossroads Hospice.