Rita Lou "Sandy" McCoy

Rita Lou “Sandy” McCoy, 75, of Amarillo, passed away on April 11, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her family.

The family will host a private memorial and balloon release at a later date.

Rita Lou, Momma Sandy, or Mom Squared, as she was known, entered this world on June 13, 1949, in Matador, Texas, to her parents, Maurice and Dovie Alice Richmond McCoy. The family moved to Colorado, where Rita graduated from high school and obtained a Master’s Degree in Communication from Western Colorado University in Gunnison. After University, Rita entered the Peace Corps, and she served the people of Jamaica for her term.

Throughout her life, Rita was drawn to children, especially those who struggled with mental disabilities. She had a passion and patience for those who were sometimes overlooked. Rita knew that, given the proper encouragement, support, and teaching methods, everyone could learn and grow within their capabilities. She had the rare ability to accept everyone. She loved you where you were and who you were unconditionally.

Rita worked for TPMHMR for many years before moving on to Adult Protective Services and eventually retiring from the State Parole Division.

On September 13, 2015, after twenty-four years of being together, Rita married her best friend Lorri. The couple’s love was inclusive and encompassed the entire “tribe” of family and friends. Rita set the bar high, leaving a legacy of genuine love and acceptance of everyone.

She was preceded in death by her father, Maurice, and her brother Michael McCoy.

Rita is survived by her wife, Lorri; four sons, Joshua and Julie Marcellus of Garden City, KS, Tommy and Jamie Marcellus of Liberal, KS, Eric and Amber Marcellus of Amarillo, and Nathan and Amanda Marcellus of Alamogordo, NM; by her beloved mother, Dovie McCoy; her aunt Doris Christian and cousin Tasha; her nieces, Marlene Brunet and her husband, Greg and Tracy McCoy Hansen and her husband Bob; her fur-babies, Mille and Poppy; eighteen grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.