Lula Mack Chaffin McCoy, age 86, affectionately known as “Mrs. Mac,” departed this life peacefully on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Traceway Retirement Community in Tupelo, Mississippi, surrounded by the love of her family.
Funeral services honoring Mrs. Mac’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, August 13, 2026, in the Heritage Chapel of Ripley Funeral Home, with Bro. Chris Lewellen officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at Ripley Funeral Home and will continue Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow in Tippah Memorial Gardens with no graveside service.
Born February 22, 1940, in Booneville, Mississippi, Mrs. Mac was the daughter of the late Dalton Ray and Lillie Mae Walker Chaffin. A graduate of Thrasher High School, she later married her beloved husband, Mr. Wnzellee McCoy, with whom she shared her life until his passing on August 7, 1984.
A hardworking woman with a special place in her heart for children, Mrs. Mac devoted twenty-five years of faithful service to the South Tippah School District. For many of those years, she served as a kindergarten assistant, a role that seemed perfectly suited for her loving and caring nature. She affectionately thought of the children she cared for as “her babies,” and through the years, countless little lives were made brighter by Mrs. Mac’s patience, kindness, and helping hands. Whether tying a shoe, drying a tear, offering encouragement, or simply giving a child a little extra love when they needed it most, she was always willing to help in any way she could. Long after her working years were over, the children and families she encountered remained special to her.
A Christian, Mrs. Mac appreciated the simple blessings God placed throughout her life. She enjoyed working in her garden and admiring beautiful flowers, sewing, and spending time in the kitchen preparing something good for the people she loved. For Mrs. Mac, some of life’s greatest joys were found not in anything extravagant, but in a home filled with family, a table surrounded by those she loved, and time spent visiting with dear friends. Above all, her family held the greatest place in her heart, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her immeasurable happiness.
Outgoing, loving, and genuinely caring, Mrs. Mac had a way of making people feel welcomed and loved. The same tender heart that cared for generations of children throughout her years at school was freely given to her friends and, most especially, her family. She lived a life centered around caring for others, and the love she gave so freely will continue through the many lives she touched. While her familiar presence will be deeply missed, the lessons she taught, the kindness she extended, and the countless memories she leaves behind will remain treasured by all who knew and loved her.
Those left to cherish Mrs. Mac’s memory include her daughter, Wanda McEwen (Malcolm); her son, Mitchell McCoy (Lynn); Stan Yancey, who was just like a son to her; four grandchildren, Robert McCoy (Lydia), Clayton McCoy (Jessica), Dustin McCoy (Anna), and Logan Rowell; and eleven great-grandchildren, Zayden, Zoey, Zeke, Lincoln, Aiden, Nori, Brody, Colt, Shae, Lula, and Loretta. She also leaves behind many former coworkers, extended family members, dear friends, and generations of children whose lives were touched by her kindness.
In addition to her parents and beloved husband, Mrs. Mac was preceded in death by three sisters, Lois Wallis, Joyce Smith, and Willodean Elder; and one brother, Kenneth Chaffin.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Robert McCoy, Dustin McCoy, Clayton McCoy, Malcolm McEwen, Stan Yancey, and Larry Albright.
The family wishes to extend a heartfelt and special thank-you to the staff of Traceway Retirement Community and Gentiva Hospice for the kindness, compassion, and loving care shown to Mrs. Mac and her family during this season of her life. Their care and support will always be remembered with sincere gratitude.
Ripley Funeral Home invites you to share memories with Mrs. Mac’s family.
