Barbara Sue McCoy, nee Craig, age 77, of Fairview Heights, Ill., born February 27, 1940 in East St. Louis, Ill., passed away with family at her side Friday evening, December 29, 2017 at St. Paul's Senior Community, Belleville, Ill.

Barb married the love of her life on February 6,  1960 at St. Patrick's Church in East St. Louis, Ill. Together they raised three beautiful daughters of whom she was very proud. Barb was blessed with six grandchildren and marveled at their unique talents and interests. Then, Barb fell in love all over again with her three precious great-grandchildren. Barbara grew up in Cahokia; she had many jobs in her life, but there were two she thoroughly enjoyed and would talk about most. The first was as a young teenager working two summers on the S.S. Admiral, a longtime fixture on the Mississippi River in St. Louis. She and a friend would take the bus from Cahokia to the riverfront. After their shift, they were allowed to stay on the boat and dance to the live music. The second was caring for her first four grandchildren after her daughters returned to work.

Barb and her family were longtime parishioners at St. Albert the Great. In recent years, Barb enjoyed being a greeter at St. Nicholas Church's Saturday evening service and a member of Yesterday's Kids. On most Tuesdays, you could find her and Dave enjoying lunch and playing the slots at River City. Barb had a knack of turning a profit on her limit. At the end of her life, Barb confirmed for her husband and daughters the presence of God and the enduring power of true love. The family would like to thank the staff at St. Paul's Senior Community and Hospice of Southern Illinois for their loving care and support.

She was preceded in death by her parents Coy and Ruth, nee Gold, Craig; and three sisters Melba Wilshire, Vera Sauls, and Judy Busche.

Surviving are her husband David of Fairview Heights, Ill.; her daughters Cindy (Ross) Scheibel, Kelly Hoffmann, and Shelley (Larry) Mank, all of O'Fallon, Ill.; her grandchildren  Keri (Jon) Hemker, Michelle (Steve) Puzach, Greg and Sophia Hoffmann, and Alexis and Colby Mank; three great-grandchildren Valerie, Naomi, and Ethan, plus one on the way; and her brother Billy (Cindy) Craig.

Memorial donations are strongly suggested, in lieu of flowers or other gifts, to Hospice of Southern Illinois or to St. Paul's Senior Community Foundation.

Visitation: The family will receive friends from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, O'Fallon, and after 9:00 am, Thursday, January 4, 2018, at the church. Yesterday's Kids will conduct a walk-through at 9:15 am, Thursday, at the church.

Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am, Thursday, January 4, 2018, at the church, with Msgr. William J. Hitpas presiding. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Shiloh, Ill.