Street renamed after Harry Charles
Published 4:15 pm Wednesday, August 29, 2018
- The Pell City City Council voted to rename a street in honor of Harry Charles McCoy. Pictured (l-r) Pell City City Council President James McGowan, Councilmen Jud Alverson, Jay Jenkins, Blaine Henderson, Jason Mitcham, Harry Charles McCoy, and Pell City Mayor Bill Pruitt. Photo by Danny Moore
Five months ago Mayor Bill Pruitt of Pell City received a request on Facebook to rename a street after Harry Charles McCoy, a long time resident of Pell City.
The Pell City City Council resolved to rename a segment of 23rd Street North between 2nd and 3rd Avenue North Harry Charles Street in honor and recognition of Harry Charles McCoy. McCoy was recognized at the Pell City City Council meeting Monday night.
Initially, the Mayor was skeptical because nobody had ever asked him to do such a thing. The request on Facebook got 25,000 views in just 24 hours. In comparison it took CEPA two weeks to reach 25,000 views back in 2012.
The statistics gave McCoy the upper hand. Pruitt said humorously during the council meeting, “Harry Charles, you are apparently more popular than the theater.”
It was evident from the start the people of Pell City wanted to acknowledge Harry Charles forever.
When it was McCoy’s time to speak, he reciprocated that same love back to Pell City stating, “Pell City is a great place to live. I hope our councilmen and mayor continue to serve. They’re young, and they can help the city grow and make Pell City a great place.”
The mayor said McCoy embodies everything that makes Pell City a great place to live, “He’s always serving people and putting himself last.”
Harry Charles, as he is known, served at Kilgroe Funeral Home since he was 12 years old. He is 62 now, and continues to serve as the funeral home’s longest serving employee, with more than 55 years on the job.
“Harry Charles McCoy is considered a hardworking, dedicated, humble, compassionate ‘gentle giant’ with unfailing integrity by his and co-workers,” the City Council resolution stated.
The truth is, everyone knows Harry. He is always smiling and he has a hug for everyone. Charles is very supportive and his belief and values is to simply serve people.