Ova McCoy, in honor of her 109th birthday Sunday, Jan. 10, was honored with a pizza party, courtesy of Pizza Hut, plus some special cupcakes and balloons, for the birthday girl and her guests.
Originally from Eureka Springs, Ark., the former Ova Tallant served as a telephone operator for many years. Her job was transferred to Monett. She married Clarence McCoy Sr. in 1939 and moved to Moniteau County in the mid 1970s. From senior housing, where she lived by herself, she became a resident at Moniteau Care Center in 2012.
McCoy recalls that she saw her first automobile when she was eight years old, but has never had a driver's license. She starts the day with coffee, then drinks water for the rest of the day, except for an occasional 7-up.