Lee Qulia McCoy, affectionately known as "Lee" was born on Halloween Day, October 31, 1929 in Halls Tennessee, Lauderdale County to the late Van and Lillie M. (Claybrooks) McCoy.  On Thursday, August 13, 2020, God answered Lee's prayer and took her home.  Lee's last earthly home was the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, a Genesis Hospital affiliated facility in Scott County, Bettendorf, Iowa.

Lee was raised in the home of her parents and grew up in Halls, Tennessee.  Lee was the second eldest of four sisters.  Lee was part Indian on her mother's side but stated she loved outdoors and was truly a country girl by nature and glamour girl at heart.  Lee attended and graduated from Armorel Grade School taught by Mrs. Geneva Haraway.  During those school years, Lee loved her debate class, competed and won many Oratorical contests.

Lee's parents later relocated and made a home in Blytheville, Arkansas where Lee continued her education.  Lee's dad taught her  to drive; however, backing up, Lee's bumper hooked the local corner store and brought it down.  Lee played softball but specialized in basketball winning local and state titles.  Lee's favorite movies were "A Raisin in the Sun" and "Gone with the Wind."  Lee left her parents' home at age 16 to move up north with her sister, Lady Mae Davis.  Lee loved school, graduated and received her diploma from Rock Island High School at age 18. Lee's close friends were Betty Logan and Beatrice Barber.  However, Earnice Hines told a loving story that she moved to Rock Island without family.  Lee was the first person who reached out to her who made her feel at home, safe  and not alone.  They kept secrets and remained friends throughout time.  Lee's common-sense education came from older school age "cronies" attending different schools.  That education was imparted to Lee from Earnice Hines, Evelyn Jamison and Darlene Moore.  Lee's first friend was Bennie Mae Harvey, one of many who convinced Lee to stay up north.

Lee then met and dated Beatrice's brother Gabe "Jr." Barber.  Lee later married Gabe on January 8, 1950.  Three children were born to this union, Deborah Jean, Marsha Kay and Gabriel Anthony, IV.  The family resided in Rock Island County, Rock Island, Illinois.  Lee was a homemaker for a short period of time.  Lee's dad died of Pneumonia that same year and Lee's mother, Lillie, joined this family moving from the South.  Lee tried helping and working in the food industry as one of her first jobs. But after considerable thought and deliberation, Lee decided the food industry was NOT for her, working for what we know today as, Jim's Rib Haven.  Lee became gainfully employed by the Rosen Family who owned The Fashions, a high-class dress store, downtown Rock Island and worked as a seamstress.  Lee later studied and became an OB/GYN Assistant in the field of child birth at Lutheran Hospital, Moline, Illinois.

Lee's political aspirations lead her to seek employment with the Rock Island County Court House as a Probate Clerk.  Lee retired from that position.  However, Lee returned to Rock Island County as a Court Bailiff replacing long-time Eastern Star friend, Ethel Schurlock in 2001.  Lee finally retired a second time a short time thereafter.

Lee's political circle allowed her to meet, hug and have a photo opt with, then candidate, Barack Obama encouraging him to keep moving forward and promising him the Presidency with her one vote.  Lee stimulated her community and kept them informed, not only as a political mouthpiece, but served her community as an Election Judge year after year after year.  That inspired Marsha, Tiffany and Deborah to also serve as Election Judges.  Lee was excited with the various candidates questioning their individual platforms.  Lee stayed involved politically under the radar and boldly questioned the Rock Island's bureaucrats.  Lee wrote many letters to local officials which were published in the newspapers.  Lee still read the local newspaper balanced with eyes glued to CNN.  To Lee's end, she still believed she was politically inspired. Due to COVID-19, Lee had access to bedside remote musical interactions.  When  asked what song she wanted to hear, Lee boldly replied, "America the Beautiful!"

Lee advocated 45+ years for citizens in the West End of Rock Island.  Lee and her husband have a designated park area downtown Rock Island acknowledging and honoring Years of Community service actively advocating for progress and change.  Lee felt this would be a historical marker left behind for generations to follow in her footsteps.

Lee joined a church at the early age of 12 admitting it was more of obedience to her parents than understanding faith and a belief system.  Lee was baptized and became a member of St. Paul Baptist Church in Armorel, Tennessee.  Lee joined Second Baptist Church in Rock Island under the leadership of Rev. A. B. Collins, joined Olivet Missionary Baptist Church, Rock Island where she was a charter member.  Lee dug first dirt beside friends Cherry and Mel Pettus to build the church under the leadership  of Rev. Roy H. Cheers.  Lee later became 1st Lady of Temple Baptist Church, Davenport, Iowa under the leade  rship of her husband.  Heartwarmingly, when asked for comment at the end of the installation ceremony, Lee gently stood up and reminded members of the church the Lord called her husband and not her!  Lee was her own kind of person.  It was not until Lee rejoined Second Baptist Church, Rock Island under the leadership of Pastor Joseph D. Williamson, III, that Lee begun to "really" learn and love the Word of God.  Lee credited her Christian growth to Sunday School; often stating, she came away with a better understanding of the Word and what she thought she already knew was in the Bible!  More importantly, Lee was appointed Mother of the Church along with friend and Mother Ida Bland, Mother Mary Ramsey, Mother Marlene Toney and Mother LaVada Hall.  Lee loved being seated on a special bench up front in the church.  Lee also served on the Second Baptist Church Missionary Society; and, in the early days, Lee served as a member of the Brown Bomberettes, a former society at the church.  As Lee aged and strengthened her Christian walk, she stated she wanted to completely turn her life around and be more and more like Jesus.

Lee loved her beauticians, Evelyn Jamison, Ethel Schurlock but Margaret Woods was considered a part of Lee's family.  Ironically, as much as Lee loved her beauticians, she loved her Masonic sisters, specifically, Rebecca Momon, Clarice Walker, Jean Wilson, Deannie Lomas, Matte Seward, and many more.

Lee longed for societal recognition.  Lee watched and dreamt about sophisticated and fashionable African American women in the Quad Cities.  Lee was a social butterfly inserting herself into a world of status and clout.  Lee's footsteps trailed many locals like Gladys Beck for her fashion and flair, Alberta Pulley for her extraordinary seamstress abilities, Clarice Walker for her money smarts, and others in different categories.  Lee was captivated by their poise and practiced posture with Deborah and Marsha in the living room balancing books on top of their heads for attitude and confidence.

Lee was a member of Adah Chapter #10 Order of the Eastern Star and served as a past Worthy Matron where she also served as Chaplin.  Lee was appointed Grand Chapter Officer of Eureka Grand Chapter Prince Hall Affiliation.  Lee was a chartered member of the Tri Cities Assembly #53 Order of the Golden Circle and past Illustrious Commandress of Masqat Court #167 Imperial Court Auxiliary of Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of Noble Mystic Shrine of North and South America and its Jurisdiction, Inc.

Lee was a member of the Active Club at the Martin Luther King Center and was honored as a "90" year old member in 2019.  Lee loved being served and serving aging citizens who took an interest in various community events.  Lee was also instrumental in the developmental stages of the Martin Luther King Center and part of the groundbreaking ceremony.  Lee loved the fact that her friend, Ida Robinson had a community room named in her honor as another legacy for West End young ladies to follow.

Lee was just recently honored as a local Matriarch of the Quad City area by The Gathering of Women at their annual luncheon in March 2020.   Somewhere down the line Lee developed and harbored a love for the Chicago Cubs Baseball team.  She would say, "Call Nick to make sure the Cubs are playing and on what channel.  Lee did not want to miss any Cub's game.

Lee loved people, even feeding strangers at the back door with sandwiches and sending them on with a roll of toilet paper.  Lee loved to garden growing plants and flowers.  Lee said she wanted her flowers while she was alive.  Lee loved the birds and kept bird feeders full of seed so she could see which kind of bird would come visit her.

Lee was a fun-loving partying type person.  Lee could dance and jitterbug enjoying the atmosphere of Blue Monday at the Morocco Night Club.  Lee's  favorite musicians were Ike & Tina Turner, BB King, Bobby Blue Bland, Al Green and Arthur Prysock - "Everything Must Change."  Lee kept her children close to her, even when she chose to party.  Lee dressed her children in PJ's, fed them, made pallets in the back seat of the car and enjoyed the party gathering to shake a tail feather at the American Legion Hall.  Today, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)  would have been called for failure to properly supervise children.

Lee loved to take chances at the Casinos with her friends; mainly, Darlene Moore and Clara Ann Jenkins.  Lee said this group always shared the winnings or borrowed the money won from each other to pay back later.  Lee slowly lost interest in that phase of life the more she read her Bible.

Lee loved to bowl.  Lee bowled on TV and was presented a 1st Place trophy with her doubles partner, as well as, many other bowling tournaments.  Lees favorite bowling spot was Town & County Bowling Lanes owned by Buddy Bateman, long time friend.  Lee's city team were consisting of her daughter Marsha, Roberta McCarroll, Nellie Jones and Carol Hanson.  Lee's original bowling team included Naomi Randolph, Josephine Shelton Harris, Nellie Glass, and her sister, Edna Allbritton.  Other bowling teams included Odelia Cotton, Dixie Tinsley, Pearl Valentine and many more.  Lee loved her friends so deeply she incorporated several of their children as a part of her family.  Lee loved Michael Jacobs, Betty Logan's son.  Lee loved Michael's display of a gentle spirit and respectful demeanor when around her.  Dorothy Cotton, Odelia's daughter, overcame obstacles during growth years that Lee was very proud to witness.  Lee loved Reverend Doctor Melvin Grimes and his development into a Religious man and how he would listen to her, lastly, Lee loved to see "that look" from Janet Lockhart's eyes.  It would give her joy whenever she caught those eyes cutting from the side.  Lee certainly was a giver, genuinely cared for and loved the people around her.  Lee's personality let you know it.

Lee wore every hair color you could imagine and surprised you when she came home from Ms. Evelyn's beauty shop.  From purple to blue to red and even streaked; blond was a little different but eventually age settled Lee with a beautiful Crown of Glory full of silver-gray locks.  Lee stated her busy life was fun, but she would sometimes say she would really prefer a drive-in movie and boat race any day.

As Lee grew in age, she begun to develop relationships with Marsha's and Anthony's friends.  Debbie and Deacon Atwater brought a quilt, and which had a permanent place on her regular and hospital bed.  Lee was so happy.  Eddie Fowler, Anthony's friend, Lee deemed a family member.

Lee was preceded in death by parents, Van and Lillie McCoy, sisters, Lula Mae McCoy, Lady Mae Davis and Edna Forest (Rock Island, Illinois), Imogene Holloway (Blytheville, Arkansas); a play sister, Estella Banks (Rock Island); first Granddaughter, Tiffany L. Holmes Lewis (East Moline); and daughter, Deborah Jean Barber Harrison (Rock Island, Illinois).

Cherishing Lee's memories, her inspiring words of wisdom, her short (…) phone messages, and her thought-provoking lectures are her husband of 70 years, Reverend Gabriel Barber, III and children, Marsha Barber Jones (Allen) and Gabriel Anthony Barber, IV of Rock Island, Illinois; Grandchildren SFC LaRance Gabriel Barber Holmes (Sharon) of Harlem, Georgia, Nicholas and Brittany Jones, Ashley Barber-Morgan all of Rock Island; Great Grandchildren Treasur and Travis Lewis of Silvis, Illinois, Alexis, Vanessa and Gabrielle of Harlem, Georgia and Aunah, Alaya, Gavin, Chandler and Gabe of Rock Island.  Sister, Elma Gray of Toledo, Ohio; Brother-in-law, James Forest, Son-in-laws, William Harrison and Allen Jones of Rock Island; Grandson-in-law, Turamiere Lewis of Silvis, Illinois. Great Niece, Traci Boling (Jeff) of Fayetteville, Georgia; and second cousin, Tony Gilbert of Clinton, Mississippi.  Lee's special loving friend and neighbor, Augustine and Ellie Flores and one daughter-like friend and neighbor, Theresa Johnson. Lee leaves scores of McCoy relatives, extended Barber families and acquaintances along the way.  More importantly, Lee talked about those old-time friends whose friendship longevity cannot be ignored; Dixie Tinsley, Pearl Valentine, Wanda Faison and, especially, Ernestine Craig.