Coy Neal London, 86, of Jonesboro, departed this life on Thursday, November 25, 2021. He was born November 20, 1935, to Loftin and Berneva (McCoy) London at Denton Island (5 miles north of Grubbs). He was the oldest of three children. His brothers are Jimmy London and Boyce Wayne London.
Coy was a member of the Old Greensboro Church of Christ. He served as a deacon for over 40 years at Nettleton Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Boyce Wayne London.
Coy graduated high school as Valedictorian at the age of 16. After graduation, Coy worked at Denton’s Gin for several years before attending college. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State University, a Master’s degree from the University of Memphis, and his Ph.D. in accounting from the University of Missouri. Coy completed his dissertation with only one revision and earned the highest score in the state of Arkansas the year he sat for his CPA exams. Coy also served in the Army where he was an accountant for the Walter Reed Medical Center.
Most people who knew Coy knew him as Mr. Coy, but those who loved him most knew him as “honey”, “dad”, and “papaw.” He was a kind man with a gentle spirit who was always willing to listen and offer words of wisdom to anyone willing to listen. Coy never met a stranger and always found a way to make anyone feel welcome. You could always count on him to be there with a “hey gal” or a “yeah boy” and if he ever told you he had a job for you, you did it. Throughout his life, Coy had many hobbies. He loved hunting but enjoyed duck hunting the most. He also enjoyed traveling the United States with his wife, Virginia, rockhounding in search of various gemstones. He was the best at making Christmas candy and jelly. He also enjoyed watching the Cardinals. But most of all, he enjoyed family gatherings with his family and grandkids. Later in life, he could be found kicked back napping or reading in his office chair. Those most special to him knew where he kept the good candy.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years; Virginia London, two sons; Gary London and wife Teresa of Jonesboro, Dwain London of Imboden, Rhonda London of Jonesboro, one brother; Jimmy London of Grubbs, one special uncle; Bobby McCoy and wife Betty of Grubbs, five grandchildren; Matt London and wife Nicole, Wade London and wife Morgan, Cole London and wife Brooke, Lyle London and wife Emily, Madison Shelton, and six great-grandchildren; Cameron, Mason, Virginia, Boyce, Walker, and Weston.
Matt London, Wade London, Cole London, Lyle London, Daron London, and Rob Shelton will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Tim London, Barney McCoy, and Robert Wrather.
Funeral Services will be at 2:00 Monday at the Dillinger Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Ballew’s Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Paragould Children’s Home.
