The Legacy of Elaine McCoy Martin as written by Sheila Pool

Elaine was born in Bowie county, Texas on August 31, 1950 to James Howell McCoy and Clovis Inez (Jones) McCoy. 

As a young toddler, Elaine lived in Granbury for a short while, but she spent most of her life prior to adulthood in Cass county at Avinger, Texas.

She was married for twenty-four years with two sons from that union.  Those sons are Chris and Jason.  To further enrich her family, Elaine had five grandchildren: Adam, Rachel, Jared, Ryan, Kyle, plus one great granddaughter, Brandi.

Elaine lived most of her adult life in Gladewater so it was only natural that she started her volunteer work with TXGenWeb in Gregg county and Upshur county.  She often stated that she ‘cut her teeth’ on Gregg county with the help of many other volunteers and especially Sharon Pierce, her Co-coordinator for a number of years.

Elaine also served in many other capacities within the TXGenWeb.  She served on the Surfing Committee and as a right-hand assistant to Shirley Cullum on a Texas state level.  She stated that the Surfing Committee helped so much in knowing what was needed and expected in her own counties.  She thought that everyone working on a county should serve in that capacity, at least for a short term.

Elaine’s health had diminished greatly over the past ten to fifteen years, resulting in less tasks with the TXGenWeb.  She often mentioned different counties that would become available for adoption, stating “that could really be a good site”. Then she would say that she just did not feel she could take on anything more at this time in her life. However, when Camp county was available, she urged a fellow volunteer on Upshur and Gregg to take on that county, promising to help all she could.  She knew it could flourish if done correctly.  When Cass county became available, she took it immediately as it was her home county and she had always wanted it.  She expressed some misgivings, with her health, that she might not be able to give it the time and energy it deserved.  But she immediately started work on it, knowing it could not be done overnight.

Elaine’s constant companion for about the last fifteen years of her life was her Tonkinese cat, Missy.  She told people on numerous occasions that she felt Missy would see her through to the end; however, Missy could not last and died before Elaine.                                     

During her last years, Elaine had a comfortable home with her son, Chris, his wife, Jen, and their two boys.  She loved to brag about how Missy kept Chris’ dogs at bay.  She said Missy ruled every aspect of that home.

Elaine’s name will go down in TXGenWeb history as one that was always willing to help further TXGenWeb in any capacity needed.