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November 19, 2012

Dorinda and Malinda, the Wheat ladies

Hiram Taylor Wheat and his wife Elizabeth Richards, both of Russell Co., KY, had a number of children, including Dorinda, born Nov. 20, 1881 and, Malinda, born Nov. 8, 1884. Both of these ladies married into the Edward Coffey line of descent.
James & Dorinda Wheat Mar Record

Dorinda L. married James W. Coffey, a son of Golson Wilson and Mary C. Allen Coffey, on Jan. 30, 1902 in Adair Co., KY.  Compared to the "normal age" of about 20 for the males and 14-15 for the females of that era, Dorinda and James married late in life.  He was 27 years old, she was 20.  Their first child was named Taylor Wilson Coffey, born Feb. 15, 1909.  Unfortunately, the child did not live even a month and died on Mar. 10, 1909 and was buried at Mount Pleasant Methodist Church Cemetery near Russell Springs.

Except for that visit to Adair Co. to marry, James and Dorinda lived the remainder of their lives in Russell County, always near Russell Springs.  Both he and Dorinda were faithful members of the Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church.

Their second and last child was Loriston, a son, born May 29, 1914 in Russell Co.  He died on Jun. 30 1989 in Jefferson Co., KY and was brought home for burial at Mt. Pleasant. I have no information about any family that he may have had.

A young man by the name of Willis Conover first appeared with James and Dorinda in 1910 and was enumerated as their ward.  He was four years old.  I have not yet determined who his parents might have been, but there was a William Conover who married Sarah Stapp in Adair Co. who may have been his parents.  William and Sarah did have a daughter, Sarah Emma who married Samuel Marion Coffey, brother to James W.  Willis continued to appear with or very near James and Dorinda through 1930 when he was their neighbor with his own family, wife Helen, and young son Wilmer.

Finally, in 1940 James and Dorinda were alone once again.  He died on Apr. 18, 1951 of a coronary occlusion and Dorinda on Feb. 22, 1961.  Both were buried at Mt. Pleasant.  One puzzle however was found in her obituary.  That reports that she was not buried until Apr. 24, 1961.  I am wondering if it was too cold and ground too frozen in February to dig her grave and the thaw did not come until late April!?
Mrs. Dorinda Wheat Coffey, widow of the late James W. Coffey, died at her home in Jamestown on Saturday, April 22.  She was 79 years of age.
She and Mr. Coffey were married in 1902 and two children were born of this union - Taylor Wilson Coffey, who died in infancy, and Loriston Coffey.  In addition, Willis Conover, now living in Brooklyn, Ind. grew up in the home of Mrs. Coffey and she was as a mother to him.  Mr. Coffey died in 1951.
In addition to her son and foster-son, she is survived by six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.  Two sisters and one brother preceded her in death, and one sister, Mrs. Ann Coffey of Montpelier, survives.
Mrs. Coffey was a member of the Mount Pleasant Methodist Church and lived a devout Christian life.  Funeral services were held Monday afternoon, April 24, in her church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. D. A. Payton.  Burial was in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers were Guy Calhoun, Horace Angle, Ray Wheat, Talt Jones, Glaud Grider, and H. C. Coffey.  Rottetoe Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
[Judy Lynn]



James W. Coffey was born August 7, 1874, lived 76 years, eight months and 11 days, when his spirit passed from this earth, April 18, 1951.
Mr. Coffey is survived by his wife, Dorinda Wheat Coffey, one son, Lorista [sic] Coffey, and a boy whom he raised, Willis Conover.
There were seven brothers and one sister.  Four of his brothers are still living, John Coffey, Same Coffey, Andy Coffey and Arthur Coffey.  He survived one son, Taylor Wilson Coffey, three brothers, Pink Coffey, Herschel Coffey, Martin Coffey, also one sister, Della, preceded him to the grave.
James W. Coffey and Dorinda Wheat were united in holy wedlock January 30, 1902, where they lived together for 49 years.
Mr. Coffey professed Christianity at an early age.  He was a devout Christian who attended church at Mt. Pleasant where he held his membership.  His last statement was, "I am ready to go.  There is nothing in the way." 
Funeral and burial was at Mt. Pleasant, with Rippetoe Funeral Home, Russell Springs, in charge of all arrangements. [Judy Lynn]




Andy & Malinda Wheat Mar Record
Dorinda's sister, Malinda Ann, sometimes called Ann or Annie, was born in Russell Co. on Nov. 8, 1884 and died in Adair Co. on Mar. 26, 1976.  She married Andrew J. "Andy" Coffey on July 18, 1909 in Adair Co.  Andy was also a son of Golson and younger brother of James W.

From the time of their marriage until death this couple resided in Adair Co but, both were returned to Russell Co. for burial in the Methodist church cemetery with others in their respective families.

This couple appears to have had only three children:  Pinkey, born c1914, who I believe married a Grider and had two children, Nadine and Arvis.  These two children appeared in the 1940 census as grandchildren with Andy and Ann.  Nadine was age 4 and Arvis was age 2.  Their parents were not present in the household.

In addition to Pinkey there was Leslie, a son, born c1918 and Alvis, another son, born c1924.

Andy died on Jul. 20, 1963 and Malinda on Mar. 26, 1976.


Jack

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