Coffey Cemeteries in Watauga Co., NC

As might be imagined, it is quite difficult for someone in Louisiana to determine official vs local names of the various Coffey cemeteries in Watauga Co.

Burial information is available on various websites listing individuals buried in "Coffey Family Cemetery" but, I am unsure if they are all in the same cemetery.

Please contact me if you can provide "official" names and locations and/or, accurate GPS coordinates for any of the Watauga Co. cemeteries where the following are buried:

Thomas Carlton and Martha Ellen Cook Coffey Family:

Thomas Carlton Coffey, born Jan. 1, 1853, died Dec. 17, 1915
Martha Ellen Cook Coffey, born Jul. 3, 1858, died Mar. 25, 1939
Emma L. Coffey, born Jan. 21, 1880, died Jul. 10, 1885
Franklin M. Coffey, born Jan. 6, 1890, died 10 Feb. 1890
James Burton Coffey, born Feb. 11, 1878, died Nov. 2, 1900
Thomas Carlton Coffey, Jr., born May 1, 1895, died May 1, 1895

Children of Marion Oliver and Lydia Ruth Edmisten Coffey:

John Robert Coffey, born Aug. 12, 1922, died Oct. 11, 1923
Marion Audra Coffey, born Oct. 6, 1924, died Jan. 8, 1925
Sadie Ruth Coffey, born Mar. 4, 1926, died Feb. 15, 1927
William Ray Coffey, born May 27, 1920, died Nov. 10, 1996

Millard Winfield Day Family:

Nancy Isabelle Coffey, wife of Millard Winfield Day, born Oct. 3, 1876, died Dec. 12, 1834
Anna Selma Day, daughter of Millard, born Jan. 17, 1906, died Jun. 8, 1908

George Hamilton Hayes Family:

Rosa Ethel (Rosie) Coffey, wife of George Hamilton Hayes, born Jan. 15, 1883, died Jan. 2, 1940
Joseph Ransom Hayes, son of George and Rosa, born Sep. 10, 1912, died Feb. 13, 2005

Smith W. Coffey Family:

Smith W. Coffey, born May 1832, died Jan. 11, 1916 in Carter Co., TN, buried in Coffey Cemetery at Shull Mills, NC. Son of Squire and Ella (Alley?) Webb Coffey.
Elizabeth Redmond [sic], wife of Smith, born Jun. 25, 1836, died May 20, 1912

Henry Boone Coffey Family:

Virginia Frances (Jennie) Brown, born Sep. 25, 1878, died Jul. 1, 1962, buried at Shulls Mill.

I can be reached at the above e-mail address.

Banner Franklin and Hazel Coffey Wyatt

Banner Franklin WYATT was born in Ashe Co., NC on Apr 8, 1917.1,2 He enlisted in the military on Feb 23, 1945 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.3 He died on Mar 12, 1998 in Archdale, Randolph Co., NC. 4,5

This may be the Banner Wyatt, age 2, found in the 1920 household of Millard and Maggie Wyatt, Ashe Co., Horse Creek Twp., NC. Others in the household were Bynum, age 16; Edward, age 13; Fred, age 11; Sidney, age 7; Belle, age 6; Paul, age 4 and, Easter, mother of Millard, age 74.

Banner of the 1920 census also appears in the 1930 census at Horse Creek, Ashe Co., age 12. Parents were Millard and Maggie. Others in the household that year were Fred, age 21; Belle, age 17; Paul, age 14 and, Oren, age 9.

I have seen other genealogies for Banner, son of Millard and Maggie Price Wyatt, married to Darlene Fisher, born c1917 and, show him deceased in Oct., 1995 in Ashe Co., NC.

Banner Franklin WYATT and Hazel COFFEY, (daughter of Larkin C. COFFEY and Lessie BAUGUESS) were married, date not known. She was born in Wilkes Co., NC on Apr 13, 19196 and, died on Mar 31, 2003 in High Point, Guilford Co., NC.

Obituary, The Record, Wilkes Co., NC, Apr. 2, 2003 (Internet Edition No. 177)

Mrs. Hazel Coffey Wyatt, age 83, a resident of Westwood Health and Rehabilitation Center and formerly of Friddle Drive in High Point, died Monday, March 31, 2003 at High Point Regional Hospital. Mrs. Wyatt was born April 13, 1919 in Wilkes County to Larkin and Lessie Bauguess Coffey. She had been a High Point resident most of her life and had attended The True Church of God in Thomasville. Mrs. Wyatt was married to Banner Franklin Wyatt who preceded her in death on March 12, 1998. Mrs. Wyatt is survived by a son, Tommy Wyatt of California; three grandchildren, Tommy Wyatt and wife, Robin of Virginia, Dorenda Reeves and husband, Jack of California, Melissa Corvo of Alabama; six great-grandchildren, Jessica and Nicholas Reeves, Marissa and Morgan Corvo, Rebekah and Alicia Wyatt; a sister, Florine Coffey of Virginia; a special friend, Rosa Walton of Lexington. A graveside service will be at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 2, at Mountlawn Memorial Park in North Wilkesboro by Reverend David Sparks. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Please contact me at the following e-mail address to add to or correct any of this information.



Sources

1. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Roll Number: B_C006_68001 Volume: D-8 Page: 545. Name: Banner Wyatt Date of Birth: 1917 Birth County: Ashe Parent1 Name: Alex Wyatt. 2. Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. 3. National Archives and Records Administration. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946 [Archival Database]; World War II Army Enlistment Records; Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 64; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. Name: Banner Wyatt Birth Year: 1917 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: North Carolina State: North Carolina County or City: Ashe Enlistment Date: 23 Feb 1945 Enlistment State: North Carolina Enlistment City: Fort Bragg Branch: No branch assignment Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: Grammar school Civil Occupation: Geographer Marital Status: Married Height: 89 Weight: 186. 4. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. North Carolina Death Records, 1968-1996. North Carolina Vital Records, Raleigh, North Carolina. and North Carolina Archives and Records Section. North Carolina County Records, 1908-1967. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Banner Franklin Wyatt Death Date: 12 Mar 1998 Death City: Archdale Death State: North Carolina Date Death Recorded: 19 Mar 1998 Birth Date: 8 Apr 1916 Residence City: High Point Residence County: Guilford Residence State: North Carolina Gender: Male Race: White Social Security Number: 183148754 Source: North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics. 5. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Name: Banner F. Wyatt SSN: 183-14-8754 Last Residence: 27260 High Point, Guilford, North Carolina, United States of America Born: 8 Apr 1917 Died: 12 Mar 1998 State (Year) SSN issued: Pennsylvania (Before 1951 ). 6. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Hazel Coffey Date of Birth: 1919 Birth County: Wilkes Parent1 Name: L C Coffey Roll Number: B_C104_66001 Volume: 5 Page: 575.

Samuel and Ella Nore (Noria) Wright McCroskey

Noria was a daughter of Thomas A. and Margaret Ann Coffey Wright. According to the Caldwell Co., NC Register of Deeds, she was born c1879 in that county. She died there on Dec. 18, 1942.1

Sarah first married Henderson Phillips in Watauga Co., NC on Oct. 16, 1896.2 I have no information on Henderson but, do not believe any children were born to this union. Sarah's second husband was Samuel Wiley McCroskey, born Apr. 10, 1869 in Bluff City, Sullivan Co., TN, died Apr. 14, 1926 in Caldwell Co., NC.

Samuel had been previously married to Eva Trique3 [sic] on Mar. 7, 1896 in Knox Co., TN. I have no information of Eva and, to my knowledge there were no children.

In the June 1900 Knox Co., TN census Noria was found in the household with the Ed. Haupt family, her sister and brother-in-law. She was enumerated as 21 years old and single. She married Samuel, and by 1910 they are in Caldwell Co. where they lived out the remainder of their lives.

Noria died Dec. 18, 1942 and was buried in the Boone Fork Baptist Church cemetery in Watauga Co. Sam died well before that, on Apr. 14, 1926. He too is buried at Boone Fork.

Sam and Noria had at least eight children:

1 - Raymond R., born May, 1902, died Feb. 16, 1926

2 - Mae, born Jul. 11, 1904, died Jul. 17, 1983. She married Samuel Woodie (date unk) and gave birth to at least five children: Wyley, Odis Eugene, Esta, Roy and Ernest, all born between c1922 and c1928, and probably all in Avery Co. Sam died in Jul., 1966 and May in Jul., 1983.

3 - Lula Nevada, born Apr. 15, 1907, died May 2, 1987 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co. She apparently married very late in life to Floyd Whisenant. She is buried at Boone Fork.

Her obituary:

Mrs. Lula McCroskey Whisenant, 80, of Route 1, Blowing rock, a former resident
of Colletsville, died Saturday evening, May 2, at Blowing Rock Hospital after a long illness. Mrs. Whisenant was the widow of Floyd Whisenant and was a member of the Boone Form Baptist Church. She was born April 15, 1907 in Caldwell County, a daughter of the late Wiley and Ella Nora Wright McCroskey. Surviving are several nieces and nephews, including the Mae Woodie family of Jonas Ridge, the Ester and Mack Coffey family and the Earl and Mary Lois McCroskey family of Blowing Rock and the Edith Townsend family and Lawrence McCroskey family of Lenoir. Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 at the Boone Form Baptist Church. The body will lie in state at the church from 11:30 until 2 p.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Everett Little. Burial will follow in the Boone Fork Cemetery. The family will receive friends this evening from 7 until 9 at Reins-Sturdivant. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

4 - Earl Lemuel, born Feb., 1909, died Jan., 19675 in Caldwell Co. Earl married Gladis [sic] L. Hatley in 1929 at Shulls Mill in Watauga Co. Gladis was the daughter of Jackson Sidney (Jack) and Drusilla Phillips Hatley. I am not yet certain whether Gladis died or, if they were divorced. Together, they had at least four children: Dorothy Louise, Roger, Daniel and David. Earl married for a second time to Mary Lois Coffey, a daughter of Thomas Leroy (Tom) and Alice Sanders Coffey. Mary was born Mar. 10, 19264 in Caldwell Co., and died Apr. 16, 2005 in Blowing Rock. Mary and Earl are buried at White Springs Cemetery in Watauga Co.

Mary's obituary:

Mrs. Mary Lois McCroskey, 79, of 6130 Highway 221 South, Blowing Rock, died
Saturday night, April 16, 2005, at Blowing Rock Hospital. She was born March 10, 1926, in Caldwell County, a daughter of the late Thomas LeRoy and Alice Sanders Coffey. Mrs. McCroskey was a member of First Independent Baptist Church in Blowing Rock. Survivors include two daughters, Estie Ruppard and husband, Dwight, of Blowing Rock, and Joy Martinez and husband, Tony, of Granite Falls; one son, Mitchell Coffey of Blowing Rock; two step-sons, Roger McCroskey and Daniel McCroskey, both of Hudson. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl McCroskey; one daughter, Jessie Price; one step-daughter, Louise Harrison; one step-son, David McCroskey; two granddaughters, Lisa and Tammy Coffey; four sisters; and four brothers. Services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state from 1-2 p.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Darrell Miller and the Rev. Vance Triplett. Burial will follow in White Springs Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday afternoon from 1-2 p.m. at the funeral home, prior to the service. At other times, friends may call at the McCroskey residence, 6130 Highway 221 South, Blowing Rock. Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

The children of Earl and Mary Lois were three:

Jesse Irene, born Feb. 6, 1946, died Jul. 30, 1997; Estie Rosie, born Feb. 23, 1952; and Joy Lela, born Feb. 8, 1962.

5 - Lany Esther married Clayton McDonald (Mack) Coffey in Mountain City, Johnson Co., TN. Lany was born Dec. 13, 1910 in Watauga Co., and died there on Jun. 7, 1978. She is buried at Boone Fork. She and Mack had eight children. More info can be found by clicking on Lany's link.

6 - Edward Lawrence, born Mar. 15, 19156 in Caldwell Co., died Apr. 11, 1941 in Bluefield, Mercer Co., WV. He married Jackie [or perhaps Lockie] Delana Hatley, another daughter of Jack and Drusilla Phillips Hatley. They had at least two children: Edward Dean and Pansy.

7 - Virgia Edith, born Apr. 10, 1917 in Caldwell Co., died Nov. 12, 1970 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. She was first married to Wilburn Clarence (Web) Townsend c1937. Their children were at least seven: Ethel Delana, born 1937, died 1964, married Forest Columbus Crisp; Wilburn Eugene, born Aug. 1939, died Mar. 2007; James Robert, born Jan., 1941, died 2000; Thomas Earl, born Sep., 1942, died 1944; Frances Mae, born Dec. 1944, married Robert Rash; Murray, born Jul., 1946; and Jerry Wilson, born Apr., 1952, married Wanda Hatley. Web had been previously married to Bessie Bennett.

8 - Roy Lois, born Oct. 27, 19217, died Jul. 15, 1970

Sources:

1 North Carolina Vital Records, Raleigh, North Carolina. and North Carolina Archives and Records Section. North Carolina County Records, 1908-1967. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina.

2 Marriage Register of Watauga County, North Carolina 1873-1954 (Boone, Watauga Co., NC: Dept. of Hist., Appalachian State Univ., Boone, NC, 1995)

3 As spelled on marriage license; copy in my possession

4 Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes; Roll Number: B_C017_66001 Volume: 13 Page: 103

5 ibid, Death Index, Book 54, Page 190

6 ibid, Birth Index, Roll B_C017_66001 Volume: 2 Page: 4

7 ibid, Birth Index, Book 8, Page 121

8 North Carolina Vital Records, Raleigh, North Carolina. and North Carolina Archives and Records Section. North Carolina County Records, 1908-1967. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Please contact me at the e-mail address below to add to or correct any of this information.

Jesse Filmore Coffey

Jesse Filmore Coffey was born Oct. 22, 1858 in North Carolina to Austin and Mary A. Blalock Coffey. He married at least three times.

His first wife was Mattie Storie, born Mar. 26, 1852, died Apr. 25, 1892. I have not found their marriage date, but it should have been sometime prior to Aug. 4, 1882 for that is the date of birth of their first child, Edna.

Edna married J. E. Hodges on Oct. 2, 1903 in Watauga Co., NC. She died Mar. 3, 1942 in Boone, Watauga Co., and is buried there at Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery. I have no additional information.

Edna's obituary:

Mrs. Edna Hodges Dies on Tuesday

Brief Illness is Fatal to Well-known School Teacher; Rites at Boone Fork Church

Mrs. Edna Coffey Hodges, aged 67, died at Watauga Hospital Tuesday after a brief illness. Cancer was given as the cause of her death.

Funeral services are to be conducted from the Boone's Fork Baptist church and burial will be in that section when the weather permits.

Mrs. Hodges was a daughter of the late Filmore and Mrs. Coffey and was raised in the vicinity of Foscoe. She had taught in the public schools of Watauga and adjacent counties for a number of years, and was well known and held in the highest regard by her many acquaintances.

Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Louise Aldridge, and the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Eva Coffey, Jessee Coffey, Mrs. H. H. Berry, Sanford Coffey, Shulls Mills; Mrs. George Williams, Johnson City, Tenn, Mrs. Blaine Aldridge, Tacoma, Wash.

Other children were:

Rose Lee, born Feb. 9, 1886, died Jan. 16, 1946. She married Arthur Blaine Aldridge on May 19, 1906 in Watauga Co. He was the son of James A. and Sarah Gragg Aldridge. Arthur is thought to have died in Wisconsin in 1947. Their children were Jerome Marvin, born Nov. 11, 1909 and Beulah J., born Sep. 3, 1912.

Jesse Lawrence, born in Watauga Co. on Feb. 29, 1888, died there on Nov. 16, 1956. He is buried in the Calloway Cemetery in Watauga Co.

Jesse's obituary:

Jesse L. Coffey, 68, passed away Friday evening at 8:30 o'clock at the home of a sister, Mrs. H. H. Berry, 112 Ervin avenue.

A native of Watauga County, he was born on February 29, 1888, a son of the late J. Philmore Coffey and Mrs. Mattie Story Coffey. His wife is the former Miss Florence Clark. He was a member of the Boone Fork Advent Christian Church in Watauga County.

Surviving are a son, Warren Coffey of Manerva, O.; four grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. Berry, Mrs. George Williams of Johnson City, Tenn., and Miss Eva Mac Coffey of Shulls Mills; and a brother, Stanford Coffey of Shulls Mills.

Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the Christian Church at Shulls Mills, with the Rev. Horace Harris officiating. Interment will be in the Callaway cemetery.

Mr. Coffey served in the United States Army from 1911 through 1921, being stationed in China, the Philippine Islands and Siberia. He was a retired employee of the Timpken Roller Bearing Company of Canton, Ohio.

The body was removed to the home of a sister, Miss Eva Mac Coffey, at Shulls Mills this afternoon from Lenoir Funeral Home.

Clarence Olen, born Aug. 28, 1889. He married Beulah Berry on Jul. 3, 1922 in Watauga Co. No other information.

Sarah Ethel, born Mar. 1, 1892. Married Harden Berry. No other information.

Jesse' second wife was Jane Harrell. They were married Nov. 26, 1892 in Watauga Co. No other information.

His third wife was Harriett Melissa Calloway, born May 9, 1862 in NC, died in that state on Oct. 22, 1949. They were married Dec. 5, 1893 in Watauga Co.

Harriet Melissa Calloway

At least four children were born to this marriage:

Mollie Bell, born Nov. 24, 1895, died Mar. 9, 1974. Mollie married George Quincy Williams on Sep. 12, 1917 in Watauga Co. He was born c1894 and died Feb. 3, 1967 in Washington Co., TN. Their children were: Frank Tipton, born Jul. 27, 1918, died Jan. 31, 1987; Jack Quincy, born Mar. 8, 1921, died Mar. 3, 2001.

Some sources list Harriet Marie, born Jul. 21, 1945 and Melissa Jane, born Mar. 20, 1956 as children of George and Mollie. That is problematic however, as there were 24 years between birth of Jack and Harriet and, 11 years between Harriet and Melissa.

[I have learned today (12-31-07) that Harriet and Melissa are grandchildren of George and Millie; children of their son Frank. I do not yet know who their mother was and, am working on that. ]

Eva Mae, born May 11, 1899, died Jan. 9, 1975. No other information.

Stanford Councill, born Oct. 24, 1901, died Dec. 29, 1988. Stanford married his second cousin, Minnie Lee Ella Coffey, a daughter of William Pinkney and Nancy Caroline Gragg Coffey. Minnie has been previously married to Herbert Spencer "Hub" Wagner. Hub had been sentenced to prison for the murder of Earl Moody and Letcher Byrd in Christmas Day, 1926. Hub had also been previously married to Ruie Ellen Coffey, a daughter of Charles Frederick* and Saphronia Phipps Coffey. It is believed that Hub relocated to West Virginia after serving his prison term. I do not know of any children born to Stanford and Minnie.

The last child born to Jesse and Harriet is thought to be Minnie Lee, born Jun. 9, 1904, died Jun. 9, 1992. No other information.

Please contact me with additions and/or corrections at the e-mail address below.



*Update Nov. 8, 2007: I have been rather rudely informed that Charles' middle name was not Frederick.

Doctor Hill Wright

Doctor was a son of Thomas A. and Margaret Ann Coffey Wright. He was born April 1, 1889 in North Carolina and died Oct. 4, 1949 in Watauga Co., NC. He married twice, first to Virgie Nona Gragg, a daughter of Leonard L. and Alva Sims Gragg. She was born Oct. 18, 1897 in North Carolina and died Nov. 13, 1945 in Watauga Co. They were married May 13, 1913 in Watauga Co.

They had at least four children:

Meda Virginia*, born May 22, 1914

William Paul, born Jun. 19, 1918

Agnes Adele, born Aug. 15, 1921, died Jan. 15, 1988. Addie married James Bynum Coffey, a son of James Hardy and Lillian Mae Gray Coffey on Jul. 5, 1939 in North Carolina. James was born Apr. 28, 1912 in Watauga Co., and died there on Apr. 26, 1986. There were at least two children born to this union: Patricia Joe Ann, born Mar. 21, 1941, died c1996, and James Robert, born Sep. 27, 1942, died Nov. 11, 1999.

Thomas Hill, born Dec. 20, 1930

Doctor's second wife was Sally Phillips, but I have no information on her except that she also married Austin Blaine Coffey on Nov. 13, 1951 in Watauga Co. Doctor and Austin were first cousins.

Hill Wright registered for the draft in Watauga Co., NC on Jun., 5 1917, and was described as being tall and slender with gray eyes and black hair. He gave his age as 28 yrs. old, born Apr. 1, 1889. He farmed and lived with his wife and one child in Shulls Mill at the time of registration. He also claimed support of his mother.

He and Virgie appear in the 1920 and 1930 census in Watauga Co. They divorced sometime after the 1930 census was enumerated and Hill Married Sally Phillips.

By 1942 Hill and Sally were living in Talbot Co., MD. Hill was employed by and gave his address as George Jopp's Restaurant on Philadelphia Road. He described himself as being 52 yrs. old and, 5' 9.5" tall with blue eyes, gray hair and ruddy complexion. He weighed 160 lbs.

He and Sally returned to Watauga Co sometime after 1942 where he died on Oct. 4, 1949 and was buried there in the Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery. Virgie apparently never remarried and died Nov. 13, 1945 in Watauga Co. Virgie is buried at White Springs Cemetery in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co.

---

 *Meda's birth record lists her name as Meda Virginia, born May 22, 1914. I have been told however that her middle name was Geneva and perhaps her birthyear was 1913.

Austin Blaine Coffey

Austin Blaine Coffey was a son of David Nathaniel and Caroline Levinia Coffey Coffey. He was born in Watauga Co., NC on Jan. 14, 1887 and died there on Aug. 28, 1970. He is buried alongside his first wife, Emma Mahalia (Hailey) Harris Coffey, at Boone Fork Baptist Church cemetery in Watauga Co.

Blaine represented Watauga Co. in the NC House of Representatives for several years, beginning in about 1917. He was still seated in The House in 1923 when his mother died.

Austin Blaine Coffey

Austin married Emma Mahalia (Hailey) Harris in Caldwell Co. on mar. 1, 1914. Hailey was the only child of Anderson Perkins and Frances Catherine Ennis Harris. Hailey had given birth to a son, Ralph A. Harris on Nov. 22, 1911. Ralph enlisted in the US Army in 1929 and subsequently killed in an automobile accident while stationed in Pensacola, Escambia Co., FL.

Hailey Harris

His obituary appeared in the Watuage Democrat on May 19, 1932:

Funeral Services Held for Ralph A. Harris

The body of Ralph A. Harris, 20, a private in the U.S. Army who was killed in an automobile accident near Pensacola, Fla., on May 7th, arrived at Lenoir on May 11th, in charge of Private Floyd Burkett, who was a friend and comrade of the deceased. Funeral services were held at Blue Ridge Advent Church on Thursday, May 12th by the Rev. S. E. Gragg, in the presence of the largest congregation ever assembled for a burial in this section.

Young Harris was a well liked by all who knew him. He completed his high school education at Crossnore, N.C., enlisted in the US Army in 1929, served three years, reenlisted and was serving his second term when the accident occurred. His death has caused widespread sorrow.

Pallbearers were Spencer Collins, Archie Simms, Spencer Henderson, Staple Collins, Mayrel Gragg, Frank Jones, Cecil Critcher, Jesse Coffey, Randel Pyatte, Melvin Calloway, J. C. Church, Ernest Simms and Seldon Wright.

Flower girls were led by little Ernestine Collins and Norma Collins, were as follows: Ruby Richards, Irene Jenkins, Sally Collins, Ruby Dula, Hailey Harris, Ruby Henderson, Rosetta Hollifield, Bessie Wooten, Jessie Hollifield, Ruby Byers, Ophelia Teague, Verdola Coffey, Fay Rupurd, Edith Calloway.

Burial took place at Boone's Fork graveyard.

Hailey died less than a year following the death of her son Ralph.

Ralph A. Harris

Hailey and Austin's children were:

Murray Harris Coffey, born May 9, 1915, died Apr. 5, 2003. He married Ruby Evelyn Dula on Nov. 19, 1938 in Watauga Co. Ruby was born Jan. 10, 1910 in Caldwell Co., and died Apr. 13, 1999 in Mecklenburg Co., NC. She was the daughter of Arthur Hill and Mary Jane Coffey Dula.

Murray's obituary appeared in the Watauga Democrat on Apr. 7, 2003.

Rev. Murray Coffey

Rev. Murray H. Coffey, 87, of 157 Murray Coffey Road, Blowing Rock, died Saturday morning, April 5, 2003, at Blowing Rock Hospital.

He was born May 9, 1915, in Hudson, Caldwell County, to the late Austin Blaine and Hailey Harris Coffey.

Rev. Coffey was a retired stone mason and a minister. He was a member of Blue Ridge Advent Christian Church where he formerly served as pastor.

Both Rev. Coffey and his father, Blaine Coffey, served in the North Carolina Legislature as representatives from Watauga County.

Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Imogene Poteat of Davidson; and one son, Terry Coffey of Blowing Rock; one granddaughter, Kimberly Coffey of Asheville; three grandsons, Paul Poteat Jr. of Coppers Cove, Texas, Mike Poteat and family of Charlotte, and Lynn Solesbee and wife, Melissa, of Mauldin, S.C.; one great-granddaughter, Anna Solesbee and one great-grandson, Ben Solesbee, both of Mauldin.

He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Dula Coffey; a son, Vern Coffey; a sister, Mrs. Gwyn Dula; and a brother, Hardin Coffey.

Services were conducted Monday morning at the Blue Ridge Advent Christian Church in Blowing Rock, officiated by the Rev. Gordon Noble.

Entombment followed in the Coffey Family Mausoleum in Boone Fork Community Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Boone Advent Christian Church, in care of Joyce Sherrill, 375 Shady Bark Lane, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Catherine G. Coffey

Katherine Gwendolyn Coffey, born Aug. 1, 1919 in Watauga Co., died Aug. 19, 1997 in North Carolina. She married Clyde Lester Dula on Jul. 4, 1939. Clyde was brother to Ruby who married Murray.

Hardin Blaine Coffey

Hardin Blaine Coffey, born Apr. 23, 1923 in Watauga Co., died Oct. 7, 2000 in North Carolina. He married Beulah Mae Coffey, born Mar. 24, 1924 to Joseph Merritt and Susan Augustus Childs Coffey. Joseph Merritt and Austin Blaine were distant cousins.

Hardin's obituary:

Mr. Hardin Blaine Coffey, 77, of Ransom Street, Blowing Rock, died Saturday morning, Oct. 7, 2000, at his home.

He was born April 23, 1923 in Blowing Rock. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Blowing Rock.

Mr. Coffey was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army and a 56 year charter member of the Blowing Rock American Legion Post 256. He retired with 30 years service at Tweetsie Railroad as a steam locomotive engineer. A snow making pioneer, he installed the first snow making equipment at Blowing Rock Ski Lodge and Hound Ears Club.

Survivors include his wife, Beulah C. Coffey; one daughter, Judith Wesson of Boone; one son, Joe Coffey and wife, Cathy, of Snowmass Village, Colo.; three grandchildren, Michael Jason Wesson of Boone and Samuel Ryan Coffey and Joanna Haley Coffey, both of Snowmass Village, Colo.; a brother, Rev. Murray Coffey of Blowing Rock; and three nieces, Gail Pitts of Blowing Rock, Cathy Wilson of Boone and Linda McCullach of Millers Creek; and one nephew, Terry Coffey of Blowing Rock.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Austin Blaine and Hailey Harris Coffey; one sister, Gwyn Dula and a nephew, Vern Coffey.

Services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Dean Coffey.

The family will receive friends Monday afternoon from 1-1:45 p.m., prior to the services, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Hospice of Watauga County, 136 Furman Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Austin Blaine Coffey's second wife is said to have been Sally Phillips of West Virginia. Sally had been married previously to Doctor [given name] Hill Wright, a son of Thomas A. and Margaret Ann Coffey Wright.

Update 2/11/2012:  There is another marriage record in Watauga Co. for Blaine Coffey, age 47, to Anna Lee Phillips on 20 Mar. 1934.  A Nov. 13, 1951 marriage record has also been found for Austin Blaine Coffey to Sally Phillips Wright.  The marriage register put together by Appalachian State University at Boone and published in 1995, notes that this "marriage lasted 4 days."

Zebulon Vance and Mary Josephine Wright Dalton

Zebulon Vance (Zeb) Dalton, born Aug., 1860 in North Carolina, is thought to be a son of Bradley and Dicey A. Dalton of Rutherford Co., NC. He married Mary Josephine Wright c1894 in North Carolina, a daughter of Thomas A. and Margaret Ann Coffey Wright. Zeb died Jan. 23, 1927 in Mobscott, Raleigh Co., WVa.

Given his age (39) at the time of marriage to Mary, Zeb was apparently married at least once before. In the 1900 census, the first in which he and Mary would appear as a family, Mary reported that she and Zeb had been married for six years and, that she was the mother of five children but only four were living.

The eldest child in the 1900 household was Corah* [sic], age 11, born 1888. Mary was still married to Tilmon Gragg at that time. Other children in the 1900 household was Clyde V., born May, 1895 and, Nola Frenise [sic], born Aug. 7, 1903. I have not yet determined the location of Mary's other three children in 1900.

Mary was born Oct. 18, 1867 in Kelsey**, Watauga Co., NC, near Coffey's Gap and died Jan. 31, 1944, also in Mobscott. She and Zeb are buried at the Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WVa.

Prior to her marriage to Zeb, Mary had married Tilmon Monroe Gragg on Mar. 3, 1888 in Caldwell Co. Tilmon was born Feb. 1858 in Caldwell Co., and died Dec. 12, 1928 in Camden Co., NC. he was a son of Edmond and Indiana Isabelle Gragg Gragg.

Their children were: William Henderson, born Jan. 14, 1884, died Oct. 28, 1946, married Mary Etta Coffey, a daughter of George Washington (Wash) and Matilda (Tilda) Coffey Coffey. The second child was Rhett, born May, 1886; the third Alverdia, born Mar., 1893.

After Zeb's death, Mary married Ed Foster. There are no known children from this union. I have not yet been able to find additional information about Ed.

Henderson, Mary's son by Tilmon Gragg, fathered at least 10 children by Mary Etta Coffey and, will be the subject of a future blog.

Please contact me with additions and/or corrections at the e-mail address below.





*I have just learned that Corah [Cora] was actually the daughter of Mary and Tilmon.

**The old home-store sat beside what is now the Collins Road and NC Hwy 221, the old Foscoe Road. Some locals referred to that area as Coffey's Gap. Mary's parents, Thomas and Margaret Coffey Wright, later sold the place to William Washington Collins, a native of Georgia.

Boone Coffey

I recently received a clipping from the Apr. 14, 1995 edition of the Watauga Democrat, published in Boone, Watauga Co., NC. Lead to the article was "Remembering Boone Coffey: Kermit Storie Recalls Days With Famed Hunter".

Boone Coffey was the son of Solomon Coffey and his wife Lucy. Solomon was born about 1811 in North Carolina. Lucy was born around the same year in North Carolina. They appeared in the 1870 census of Blue Ridge Twp., Watauga Co. as a family of seven. Children at home that year were Louisa, age 28; Sarah, age 26; Lisa, age 24; Boon [sic], age 21; Jones, age 18; and Lewis, age 16.

I was unable to find Boone in the 1880 or 1910 census, and find him next in the 1920 Blue Ridge Twp. census. He was 68 years old then, unmarried, and headed a family that included only his unmarried sisters: Sarah, age 71 and Eliza, age 70.

In 1930, at age 81, he was still unmarried and living alone in the Blue Ridge. North Carolina death records show that Boone died on May 23, 1932 in Watauga Co.

According to the memory of Kermit Storie, Boone was a "...hunter and that is what he did - hunted all his life." Kermit gave his own birth year as 1918 and said that he was about 14 years old when Boone died. During those years that Kermit was growing up he often looked after Boone and his sisters who lived in the Aho community.

Their home was a "large wood-frame house" that sat on 301 acres. "We never did know how Boone was able to accumulate all that land," Storie related. "It was quite unusual for a black man to own property in those days, and very unusual for a black man to be a major landowner..." According to Storie, Boone and his sisters lived on one end of the house, leaving the other half available to guests of any color.

Kermit and his wife were guests of Boone and his sisters on his wedding night.

After Boone died, his property was split up among a number of buyers, some of it to developers. One of the developements referred to in the article is the Greystone IV.

Undoubtedly, Solomon and his family were slaves at one time. The article indicates that Boone's sisters had been slaves. Because Boone was born in c1849 he too was likely held in bondage along with the remainder of his siblings.

I would like to think that the family's large land holdings came from a benefactor, perhaps their former "master."

Contact me at the e-mail address below for more information.

Joseph Commodore Church (Updated)

1. Joseph Commodore CHURCH was born in North Carolina in Jul 1878.1 He appeared in the census on Jun 6, 1900 in Watauga Twp., Watauga Co., NC as a single man in the household with his parents. He registered for the WWI draft on Sep 12, 1918 in Watauga Co., NC.2 He died on May 11, 1956 in Watauga Co., NC.3

Article, unknown newspaper

Joseph Commodore Church

Lenoir - Funeral services for J. C. Church, 73, of Rt. 1, Blowing Rock, who died Friday evening at a Blowing Rock hospital, will be conducted at 2 p.m. today at his residence by the Rev. Marshall Setzer of Lenoir and the Rev. Bob Shores of Blowing Rock. Burial will be in the Boone Fork Cemetery. A retired farmer, Mr. Church was born in Watauga County on July 12, 1877, a son of the late James and Laura Blackburn Church. His wife, Mrs. Vera Church, died in October of 1954. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Leslie Coffey and Mrs. Herman Coffey of Blowing Rock; a sister, Mrs. J. A. McLean of Connelly Springs; a brother, Ellis Church of Collettsville, six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

He was buried in May 1956 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC.

Joseph Commodore CHURCH and Lee Ella COFFEY were married on Oct 10, 1896 in Caldwell Co., NC.4


Lee Ella COFFEY (daughter of Thomas Avery COFFEY and Louisa E. GRAGG) was born in Caldwell Co., NC in Nov 1881. She died on Dec 16, 1963 in North Carolina. She was buried in Dec 1963 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC. Joseph Commodore CHURCH and Lee Ella COFFEY had the following children:

Lee Ella Coffey

2 i. Alma CHURCH was born in North Carolina in Oct 1897. She appeared in the census on Jun 11, 1900 in Globe, Caldwell Co., NC in the household with her grandparents, Thomas and Louisa Coffey.

Joseph Commodore CHURCH and Nora Rebecca HOLLIFIELD were married about 1904 in North Carolina. They appeared in the census on Apr 23, 1910 in Watauga Co., NC.5 Nora Rebecca HOLLIFIELD was born in North Carolina in Oct 1883.6 She appeared in the census on Jun 5, 1900 in Watauga Twp., Watauga Co., NC in the household with her widowed father. She died in 1916 in North Carolina. She was buried in 1916 in Holloway Church Cemetery, Holloway Mountain, Caldwell Co., NC. Joseph Commodore CHURCH and Nora Rebecca HOLLIFIELD had the following children:

+3 i. Leslie Kathleen CHURCH, born on Aug 16, 1905, Watauga Co., NC7; married Thomas Charles Milton COFFEY, on Jul 23, 1927, Watauga Co., NC8; died on Feb 24, 1977, Greene Co., TN9.
4 ii. Howard CHURCH was born in North Carolina in Aug 1906. He died about Feb 1907 in North Carolina. [See Corrections below!]

Hildred Myrt Church

Hildred Myrt Church

+5 iii. Hildred Myrt CHURCH, born on Aug 4, 1907, Watauga Co., NC10; married James Herman (Hum) COFFEY, on Jun 1, 1929, Watauga Co., NC; died on Sep 29, 2007, Watauga Co., NC11.
6 iv. Dorlas (Delores?) Revonda CHURCH12 was born in Watauga Co., NC on Jul 4, 1915.13 She died in Oct 1915 in North Carolina.

Vera Ester Coffey

Joseph Commodore CHURCH and Vera Esther COFFEY were married. They appeared in the census on Feb 5, 1920 in Watauga Co., NC.14 They appeared in the census on Apr 2, 1930 in Watauga Co., NC.15

Vera Esther COFFEY (daughter of David Nathaniel COFFEY and Caroline Lavinia COFFEY) was born in Watauga Co., NC on Sep 20, 1889.16 She arrived in the US on Sep 25, 191517 She arrived in the US on May 10, 1916 She died on Oct 28, 1954 in Watauga Co., NC.18

Article, unknown newspaper

Mrs. Church, 65 Taken by Death

Mrs. J. C. church, 65, of blowing Rock, Route One, passed away Thursday afternoon at the Blowing Rock hospital, following an illness of several months.

Born in Watauga county September 20, 1889, she was the daughter of the late David and Carolyn Coffey. Her maiden name was M? Vera Coffey.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at ? o'clock at the residence at Blowing Rock, with the Rev. S. E. Gra? officiating. Burial will be in Boone Fork cemetery.

The body was removed to the home this afternoon from Gr? Funeral Home.

Surviving are her husband; ? step-daughters, Mrs. Leslie Coffey and Mrs. Hildred Coffey, of Blowing Rock, two brothers, Blain and Olin J. Coffey, of Bloqing Rock; and a half-brother, Garfield Coffey of Clarkston, W. Va.

[Some parts of article were unreadable]

She was buried in Oct 1954 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC.

Second Generation

3. Leslie Kathleen CHURCH19 (Joseph Commodore-1) was born in Watauga Co., NC on Aug 16, 1905.7 She died on Feb 24, 1977 in Greene Co., TN.9

Obituary

Mrs. Leslie Coffey

Mrs. Leslie Church Coffey, 71, of Rt. 2, Chuckey, Tenn., and a former resident of Blowing Rock died Thursday morning, Feb. 24, in Greenville, Tenn.

Services were conducted Saturday afternoon at the Boone Fork Baptist Church. Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Mrs. Coffey is survived by her husband T. M. Coffey; one daughter, Mrs. W. O. (Velma) Perry of Hickory; one son, Jerry B. Coffey of Hickory; one step-daughter, Mrs. Sybil Davisd [sic] of Colton, Calif.; one sister, Mrs. Herman (Hildred) Coffey of Blowing Rock; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Local arrangements were handled by the Hampton Funeral Service.

She was buried in Feb 1977 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC.

This information is incorrect 8/28/2014:  Leslie Kathleen CHURCH and Thomas Charles Milton COFFEY were married on Jul 23, 1927 in Watauga Co., NC.8 Thomas Charles Milton COFFEY (son of George Calvin COFFEY and Louisa Elizabeth (Lou) CURTIS) was born in Watauga Co., NC on Apr 28, 1896.20 He appeared in the census on Apr 23, 1910 in Watauga Co., NC in the household with his parents. He died on Aug 23, 1980 in Hickory Twp., Catawba Co., NC.21 Leslie Kathleen CHURCH and Thomas Charles Milton COFFEY had the following children:

The following was received on 8/24/2014 from Yvonne Coffey Olmstead with updated information about her grandfather, Thomas Milton Coffey:

Leslie Katherine Church married 2 different Coffey men.  The first was Charles [C.]  Coffey (not a son of George Calvin Coffey and Louisa Elizabeth Curtis). They married 23 July, 1927.  They had 2 children: Velma Coffey Knight and Jerry Coffey. This husband, Charles died in 1955.  Leslie later married my grandfather, Thomas Milton Coffey (who is son of George Calvin Coffey and Louisa Elizabeth Curtis), born in Shulls Mill, Watauga Co., NC 28 April 1896. He died in Hickory, NC 23 August, 1980. Leslie and Thomas Milton married in their later years and had NO children together.

[Charles C. Coffey was a son of William Leander "Lee" Coffey and Nancy Rebecca "Nan" Hollars.  He was born Apr. 4, 1903 and died Sep. 25, 1933 and was buried at Boone Fork Community Cemetery at Blowing Rock.  The family lived in Mount Morris Twp., Genesee Co., MI in 1930 where Charles worked in an automobile factory and where both children were born.  Leslie died in Greene Co., TN in Feb., 1977 and was also buried at Boone Fork.]

7 i.
Velma Irene COFFEY was born in Flint, Genesee Co., MI on Jun 22, 1928. She died on Apr 12, 2006 in Hickory Twp., Catawba Co., NC.

Obituary

Mrs. Knight

Velma Irene Coffey Knight, age 77, of Hickory and a former resident of Blowing Rock, died Wednesday, April 12 at Frye Regional Medical Center after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Knight was born June 22, 1928 in Flint, Michigan, a daughter of the late Charles and Leslie Church Coffey. She was a member of Sandy Ridge Baptist Church.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Dean and Janice Knight of Conover; a daughter, Brenda Knight Starnes of Hickory; a brother, Jerry Coffey of Hickory; an aunt, Hildred Coffey of Blowing Rock; three granddaughters, Dia Hibbitts and husband, Mark, Shelly Lambert and husband Jeff, and Lanae Knight Jenkins, all of Hickory; a grandson, Shay Starnes of Hickory; six great-grandsons, Trevor Starnes, Daniel Hibbitts, Chase Jenkins and Cody Lambert, all of Hickory; and three great-granddaughters, Natalie Lambert, Jessica Hibbitts and Cidona Lambert, all of Hickory.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Hue Knight.

Services for Mrs. Knight were held Tuesday, April 18 in Hickory.

Memorial may be sent to the Sandy Ridge Baptist Church, 3702 Sixteenth St., N.E., Hickory, N.C. 28601.

Bass-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory of Hickory was in charge of the arrangements.

5. Hildred Myrt CHURCH22 (Joseph Commodore-1) was born in Watauga Co., NC on Aug 4, 1907.10 She died on Sep 29, 2007 in Watauga Co., NC.11

Hildred Myrt CHURCH and James Herman (Hum) COFFEY were married on Jun 1, 1929 in Watauga Co., NC.

James Herman (Hum) COFFEY (son of John Wesley (Happy John) COFFEY and Ella Adelaide HENDERSON) was born in Globe, Caldwell Co., NC on Dec 5, 1904.23 He died on Mar 14, 1979 in Boone, Watauga Co., NC.24

Obituary, The Watauga Democrat, Boone, Watauga Co., NC, Oct. 2, 2007

Hildred Church Coffey

Mrs. Hildred Church Coffey, 100, of 138 Chestnut Knob Trail, Blowing Rock, died Saturday evening, Sept. 29, 2007, at her home.

She was born August 4, 1907 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Com and Nora Hollifield Church.

Throughout her life, she was a wonderful daughter; then met Herman Coffey, whom she married June 1, 1929. She was a faithful servant of Christ and our Lord. She raised four children, grandchildren, family friend’s children with love, kindness, and taught us the Lord’s word. She was most definitely one of God’s best creations.

In her early life, she worked for the renowned artist, Elliott Dangerfield and then became manager of housekeeping at the Green Park Hotel in Blowing Rock until she retired at the age of 72.

Survivors include one daughter, Thelma Coffey of Blowing Rock; one son, James Coffey and wife, Mary, of Lenoir; one daughter-in-law, Vera Coffey of Hickory; three granddaughters, Kelly Lea Catterton of Blowing Rock, Melody A. Rich and husband, James, of Blowing Rock, and Vickie C. Norris and husband, Dan, of Boone; five grandsons, Michael R. Johnson and wife, Sally, of Charlotte, Thomas Gregory Catterton and wife, Penny, of Shatley Springs, Kevin Coffey and wife, Nancy, of Morganton, Eric M. Coffey of Boone, and Robert R. Coffey and wife, Debbie, of Boone; and many more extended family, friends, and loved ones alike. She is also survived by 19 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and one nephew, Jerry Coffey, son of a late sister, Leslie C. Coffey.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Herman "Hum" Coffey; one daughter, Betty Johnson and her husband, Roy; one son, Robert H. "Bob" Coffey; one grandson, Jeffery Lee "Jeff" Coffey; her father and mother, Com and Nora Hollifield Church; two sisters, Leslie C. Coffey and Delores Church; and one brother, Howard Church.

Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 2, 2007, at 2:00 o'clock, at Boone Fork Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock.

Officiating will be Pastor Darrell Miller, the Rev. Carl Osborne, and the Rev. Dean Coffey. Burial will follow in the Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Monday evening, from 7:00 until 9:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Service. At other times, friends may call at Mrs. Coffey's residence, 138 Chestnut Knob Trail, Blowing Rock.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to High Country Health Care System/Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

He was buried in Mar 1979 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC. Hildred Myrt CHURCH and James Herman (Hum) COFFEY had the following children:

8 i. Betty Ann COFFEY25 was born in May 1930. She died on May 30, 1952.26 She was buried in Jun 1952 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC.
+9 ii. Robert Herman (Bob) COFFEY, born on Sep 2, 1931, Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., NC27; married Vera Louise COOK; died on Jun 24, 1994, Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., NC28.
+10 iii. Thelma Ann COFFEY, born on Jul 9, 1934, Avery Co., NC29; married Thomas Samuel CATTERTON.
+11 iv. James Norman (Herman?) COFFEY, born on Aug 27, 1939, Watauga Co., NC30; married Mary Ann RICH.

Sources

1. United States Federal Census for years indicated. [His WW1 Draft Registration gives his birthdate as Jul. 12, 1877].
2. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 . National Archives and Records Administration. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. M1509, 20,243 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. Joseph Commorore Church registered for the draft in Watauga Co. on Sep. 12, 1918. He was of medium height and build with brown hair and eyes. He was 41 yrs. old, born Jul. 12, 1877. Joseph was a resident of Shulls Mills in Watauga Co, was a self-employed farmer and listed Alma, Leslie and Hildred Church of Shulls Mills as his nearest relative[s].
3. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. North Carolina Death Records, 1968-1996. North Carolina Vital Records, Raleigh, North Carolina. and North Carolina Archives and Records Section. North Carolina County Records, 1908-1967. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Joseph C Church Death Date: 11 May 1956 Death County: not assigned Death State: North Carolina Death Age: 78 Birth Date: 1878 Race: White Source: NC State Archives. North Carolina Deaths, 1908-67.
4. Caldwell County, North Carolina Register of Deed's Index Search, Wayne L. Rash, Register of Deeds online [http://rod.co.caldwell.nc.us/Resolution/search_menu.asp], accessed variously.
5. United States Federal Census. 1910 Watauga Co., Watauga Twp., ED159, Sheet 7A, dwelling 112, family 114, Church, Joseph C., head, male, white, age 32, married twice, this time for 5 yrs., born NC, parents born NC, farmer; Nora R., wife, female, white, age 26, married once for 5 yrs., mother of 3, 2 living, born NC, parents born NC; Leslie C., dau., female, white, age 4, single, born NC, parents born NC; Hildred M., dau., female, white, age 2, single, born NC, parents born NC. [Oscar L. Coffey was the enumerator].
6. Ibid., 5 Jun 1900, Watauga Co. in the household with her parents.
7. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Leslie Kathleen Church Date of Birth: 16 Aug 1905 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Joseph Commodore Church Parent2 Name: Nora Rebecca Hollifield.
8. Historical Studies, Appalachian State University, Department of History (Editors Evelyn G. Shepherd and Brenda M. Greene), compiler, Marriage Register of Watauga County, North Carolina 1873-1954 (Boone, Watauga Co., NC: Dept. of Hist., Appalachian State Univ., Boone, NC, 1995). Officiated by M. B. Woosely.
9. Shelby County [TN] Register of Deeds, Shelby Co., TN online [http://register.shelby.tn.us], accessed Various [Results returned as Surname Given Name; Date of Death/Age; County of Death; County/State of Residence; Marital Status; Gender; Race; File No.]. COFFEY LESLIE C 02-24-1977 / 71 GREENE GREENE / TN MARRIED F WHITE 07774.
10. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Hildred Myrul Church Date of Birth: 4 Aug 1907 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Joseph Commodore Church Parent2 Name: Nora Rebecca Hollifield.
11. Greg Catterton, "Coffey Desdndant [sic]," e-mail message from () to Jack Coffee, Sep. 29, 2007. "It is with great sadness for me to tell you my nanny (Hildred Coffey) passed away Saturday night September 29, 2007 at 10:28 PM. She was 100 years old... I was with her in her final moments, and she went very peacefully.".
12. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Dorlas Revonda Church Date of Birth: 4 Jul 1915 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Joseph Commodore Church Parent2 Name: Nora Rebecca Hollifield Roll Number: B_C102_66001 Volume: 2 Page: 523.
13. Ibid., Name: Dorlas Revonda Church Date of Birth: 4 Jul 1915 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Joseph Commodore Church Parent2 Name: Nora Rebecca Hollifield.
14. United States Federal Census. 1920 Watauga Co., Watauga Twp., ED164, Sheet 19A, dwelling 260, family 363, Church, Comoador [sic], head, male, white, age 41, born NC, parents born NC, farmer; Vera [sic], wife, female, white, age 28, married, born NC, parents born NC; Leslie, dau, female, white, age 14, single, born NC; Hildred, dau., female, white, age 12, born NC; Archie, son, male, white, age 3 yrs., 3 mos., born NC.
15. Ibid., 1930 Watauga Co., Watauga Twp., ED16, Sheet 1B-2A, dwelling/family 24, Church, J. Com, head, male, white, age 53, married at age 21, born NC, parents born NC, farmer; Church, Vera, wife, female, white, age 41, married at age 26, born NC, parents born NC; Sims, Archie, step-son, male, white, age 13, single, born NC, parents born NC; Coffey, David, father-in-law, male, white, age 76, widower, married at age 35, born NC, parents born NC, laborer on truck farm.
16. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Vera Esther Coffey Date of Birth: 20 Sep 1889 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: David Nathaniel Coffey Parent2 Name: Carolyn Coffey. [A passenger record for Vera sailing from Panama, CZ to NY on 1916 gives her birth year as 1891].
17. New York. Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897. Micropublication M237. Rolls # 1-675. National Archives, Washington, D.C. and New York. Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1897-1957. Micropublication T715. Rolls # 1-8892. National Archives, Washington, D.C. Name: Vera Sims Estimated birth year: 1891 Age: 25 Gender: Female Port of Departure: Cristobal C Z Ship Name: Panama Port of Arrival: New York, New York Nativity: North Carolina Line: 30 Birth Location: North Carolina Birth Location Other: country Page Number: 28. [Her arrival entry indicates that she was married].
18. North Carolina Death Records, 1968-1996. Name: Vera E Church Death Date: 28 Oct 1954 Death State: North Carolina Death Age: 65 Birth Date: 1889 Source: NC State Archives. North Carolina Deaths, 1908-67.
19. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Leslie Kathleen Church Date of Birth: 16 Aug 1905 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Joseph Commodore Church Parent2 Name: Nora Rebecca Hollifield Roll Number: B_C102_66001 Volume: 6 Page: 36.
20. Ibid., Name: Thomas Milton Coffey Date of Birth: 28 Apr 1896 Gender: Male Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Geo Calvin Coffey Parent2 Name: Lou Curtis.
21. North Carolina Death Records, 1968-1996. Name: Thomas Milton Coffey Death Date: 23 Aug 1980 Death City: Hickory (P) Death County: Catawba Death State: North Carolina Death Age: 84 Burial Location: Burial out of state Birth Date: 28 Apr 1896 Birth Location: Tennessee Residence City: Hickory Residence County: Catawba Residence State: North Carolina Gender: Male Race: White Marital Status: Widowed Social Security Number: 410340203 Autopsy: No Institution: General Hospital Attendant: Physician Source: NC Department of Health. North Carolina Deaths, 1979-82.
22. , "Coffey Desdndant [sic]," e-mail to Jack Coffee, Sep. 29, 2007.
23. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: James Herman Coffey Date of Birth: 5 Dec 1904 Gender: Male Race: White Birth County: Caldwell Parent1 Name: John W Coffey Parent2 Name: Ella Adelaid Henderson Roll Number: B_C017_68001 Volume: 20-A Page: 35.
24. Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc. Name: J. Coffey SSN: 244-14-0751 Last Residence: 28605 Blowing Rock, Watauga, North Carolina, United States of America Born: 5 Dec 1904 Died: Mar 1979 State (Year) SSN issued: North Carolina (Before 1951 ).
25. Letter from Margaret J. Farley (130 West Acadia Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27127) to Jack K. Coffee, Oct. 31, 2006; held by Jack K. Coffee (110 Lydia Road, St. Joseph, LA 71366). Original obituary clipping(s) from Watauga Democrat.. Some information from Margaret via e-mail.
26. Various E-mail sources; see details. "Betty was born in 1934 but not for sure. She died with her [husband[ in 1952. They were in Wilkes Co., NC or state of Virginia when the [automobile] accident occured.".
27. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Robert Herman Coffey Date of Birth: 2 Sep 1931 Birth County: Avery Parent1 Name: Jame Herman Coffey.
28. Social Security Death Index, Master File
. Name: Robert H. Coffey SSN: 245-34-0940 Last Residence: 28605 Blowing Rock, Watauga, North Carolina, United States of America Born: 2 Sep 1931 Died: 24 Jun 1994 State (Year) SSN issued: North Carolina (Before 1951 ).
29. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Thelma Anne Coffey Date of Birth: 9 Jul 1934 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Avery Parent1 Name: James H Coffey Parent2 Name: H M Church.
30. Ibid., Name: James Norman Coffey Date of Birth: 27 Aug 1939 Gender: Male Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: James Herman Coffey Parent2 Name: Hildred Myrl Church.

Cyrus V. Coffey

Cyrus was a son of Jason and Rachel Corder Coffey, born c1858 in (probably) Owen Co., IN. Jason was a son of Larkin and Catherine H. Wilson Coffey, born c1833 in North Carolina and died before 1800 in (probably) Owen Co., IN. Rachel was born c1832 in Indiana.

On Sep. 5, 1880 Cyrus married Elizabeth Ella (Ellen?) Brown, a daughter of Lewis and Ritta (Artie?) Brown. Elizabeth was born in Indiana in Jul., 1864. Cyrus died before Jun. 16, 1900 in Owen Co. because Ella - as she was enumerated - was a widow in her widower father's household census for that year.

According to the 1900 census, Ella was the mother of nine children, nine living, but only four were residing with her at the time: Flora, age 15; Ray, age 12; Wendell, age 6; and Virgie, age 3.

I believe her children were:

• Orpha, no information


• Charles Iomer, born May 3, 1883


• Flora Rachel, born c1886


• Ada Florence, born c1887


• Jason Ray, born Mar 17, 1888


• Nellie Mabel, no information


• Mary Ester, no information


• Wendell Holmes, born Mar. 5, 1894


• Charlotte Virgie, born c1897

Charles married Mary Ann Hendricks, born c1886 in IN and had children: Edna May, born c1906; Stella M., born c1907; Dortha, born c1910; Bernice L., born c1912; Donald W., born c1915; and Wallace L., born c1918 (1920 Owen Co. census). Charles registered for the WW1 draft on Sep. 12, 1918 in Owen Co., and was described then as being 35 years old, born May 3, 1883. He was of medium height and build with light blue eyes and black hair. The family resided and farmed at RR1, Spencer, Owen Co.

Flora married Victor A. Burch, born c1886 in IN. In 1920 they were in Hendricks Co., IN and had children Helen, born c1914 and, Charles, born c1916.

Ada married Carl Von (or Van) Burch, born c1888 in IN, on Mar. 31, 1912 in Owen Co. In 1920 the family resided in Owen Co., Washington Twp., and had children: Gladys I., age 5 and, Hazel V., age 1 yr., 11 mos. In 1930 they were in Spencer Twp., and there were no additional children.

Jason apparently never married. He was enumerated as a single man in both the 1920 and 1930 Owen Co. census records. He registered for the WW1 draft on Jun. 5, 1917 in Owen Co. and was described then as being of medium height and build with brown eyes and black hair. He was 29 years old at the time, born Mar. 17, 1888 in Spencer, IN. He was unmarried then and, a self-employed farmer.

Nellie Mabel is thought to have married Charles Wyrick.

Mary Ester is thought to have married Harry Coyal.

Wendell Holmes registered for the WW1 draft on Jun. 5, 1917 in Owen Co. He was 23 years old at the time, born Mar. 8, 1894 in Elletsville, IN. He was unmarried at the time and was described as being of medium build and height with blue eyes and brown hair. He was a farm laborer and listed his employer as P.C. Becker or Decker in Colfax, IL.

Charlotte Virgie married Ralph Sprague on May 29, 1916 in Owen Co. Ralph was born c1893 in IN. In the 1920 census they are found in Indianapolis, Marion Co., IN where Ralph is employed as a bakery salesman. The only child was Garland, a son, born c1917 in IN.

Please send corrections and/or additions to me at the e-mail address below.

Theodocia Coffey Conundrum (Updated 9/24/07)

I have two different sources that disagree on who the parents were of the Theodocia (Docia) Coffey that married Columbus Filmore (Lum) Blalock on Nov. 13, 1911* in Avery Co. This source is based on intimate family knowledge.



The second source insists that she was the daughter of Thomas Avery and Louisa E. Gragg Coffey. The other source indicates that she was the daughter of Joseph Burgess and Mary** Lagustia [sp?] Gragg Coffey. This source's argument is based on census records.



So, I did some extra census browsing to see what I could prove, or disprove.



This is the Docia who married Lum Blalock:

I have her birth date as Aug. 28, 1884*.

In Nov. 1911 when she married Lum Blalock she had already reached her 27th birthday, meaning she was born 1884.

In the Jan 19, 1920 census for Bend, Deschutes Co., OR she was 35 yrs old, 7 months shy of her 36h birth date. So, on her birthday in Aug., 1920, at age 36, she would have been born in 1884.

She returned to North Carolina after Lum's death in 1925. In the 2 Apr 1930 census she was 45 yrs old and was about 4 1/2 months shy of her 46th birthday. So, on her birthday in Aug. 1930, at age 46, she would have been born in 1884.

When she died on Feb. 14, 1941 she was 56 yrs old, meaning she was born 1884.

So, if she was a daughter of Thomas Avery, she should have been in the 1900 and 1910 census, but was not.

This is the one for Joseph Burgess:

His daughter was born in Jan. 1880, and according to the 1900 census, enumerated Jun. 6, she was 20 yrs old, indicating a birth year of 1880.

She was not with the family in 1910, meaning I suppose, that she married, or went elsewhere (she didn't die until 1955) sometime between Jun. 6, 1900 and Apr. 26, 1910.

There is a 1955 death record in Caldwell Co. for Docia Samanthia Coffey, daughter of Burgess and Mary Gragg Coffey.

In my experience with the Caldwell Co. records, the deceased person is indexed under their married name, then the record lists the name the parents. I think if Joseph Burgess' Docia had married, she would not have been indexed as a Coffey.

So, we are - in my opinion - talking about two different women named Docia, one the daughter of Joseph Burgess and one the daughter of someone else, perhaps Thomas Avery. The only thing that I have not figured out is why - if a daughter of Thomas - she never appears in the census record with them.

On the otherhand, if the marriage date of Docia to Lum is off by a year, that would explain why she wasn't with the Thomas Avery family in 1910. Instead of 1911, she could have married him in 1910 or perhaps living with him at the time of the 1910 census. But, I have not found her anywhere in the 1910 census. I also do not have an explanation why she does not appear with Thomas Avery in 1900.



At this time, I do not believe that the daughter of Joseph Burgess was the one that married Lum.



Write to me at the e-mail address below to correct my math or, to discuss my conclusion.













*unsourced
**One source lists her given name as Margaret, not Mary

Martha Renia (Sarena?) Coffey

Martha was born Mar. 12, 1827 in the Globe Twp. of Caldwell Co., NC, the daughter of Jacob Zachariah (Zack) and Margaret Coffey Coffey. Martha married Leason Gragg, a son of David Obediah and Elizabeth Webb Gragg on Nov. 23, 1860 in Globe. She died in Globe on Apr. 26, 1920. Leason was born May 1834 in Burke Co., NC and died in Collettsville, Caldwell Co. in 1910.

Their children were:

David Obodiah, born Jun. 4, 1861 in Caldwell Co. and died Oct. 14, 1933 in North Carolina. He married Frances Elizabeth (Fanny) Dellinger c1881 in North Carolina. Fanny was born in Caldwell Co. in 1864 and died in Norfolk, VA in 1946. She was the daughter of Elkanna and Elizabeth (Betty) Godsey Dellinger.

Grayson Columbus, born Dec. 28, 1876 in Globe and died Apr. 21, 1955 in Collettsville. He married Mary Cordelia Hicks in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. on Dec. 18, 1899.

George N., born c1877

John Robert Joshua, born Dec. 1878. He first married Mary Adelaide Coffey on May 2, 1898 to a daughter of Julius Calvin and Eugenia Lavinia (Genie) Dellinger Coffey. Mary was born 1880 in North Carolina. After eleven children, the last born in 1919, Mary apparently died and John married Sarah E. Coffey, born Oct. 1881 to Jesse (Red Eye) and Lucinda Louise Coffey Coffey. This marriage took place after Apr. 2, 1930 because on that date John Robert appeared in the Caldwell Co. census as a widower. Sarah had first married John's brother, James W. Gragg in about 1906, with whom she had ten children. James was born Oct. 19, 1883 and died Jun. 15, 1926 in Caldwell Co.

I have some descendant information for most of the children.

Please contact me at the e-mail address below to request more information or, to add to or correct any of this information.

Jesse (Red Eye) Coffey

Jesse, whose middle name may be Cleveland, was born c1859 to Cleveland and Mary Ann Miles (Mills?) Coffey in Watauga or Caldwell Co., NC. He died Jan. 31, 1941 in Caldwell Co. Jesse married Lucinda Louisa (Lou) Coffey on Sep. 20, 1878 in Watauga Co. Lucinda was the daughter of Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey. Cleveland was uncle to Jesse Calton.

"Red Eye" and Lou had seven children:

Mary Elizabeth Coffey, born Aug. 23, 1877 in Watauga Co., died Aug. 1, 1956 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co. She married Haywood Hatley in Caldwell Co. in 1899. Haywood is buried in White Springs Cemetery in Watauga Co. and, Mary is believed to also be buried there. They were parents of 11 children: Mancenie (Cenie), born Oct. 3, 1903, died May 28, 1974; Alice V., born c1905, died 1924; Omie Devada, born Apr. 3, 1907, died Mar. 26, 1972; Jannie Delana, born Feb. 27, 1909, died Sep. 22, 1988; Ernest C., born c1912; Robert Woodrow, born Mar. 15, 1915, died 1991; Beulah Doris, born Feb. 19, 1916, died Feb. 15, 1971; William Jay (Bill), born Jul. 18, 1918, died Jul. 19, 1988; Jessie, born c1919; Ethel Blanche, born Mar. 8, 1921; and Daisy Pearl, born Jan. 21, 1928, died Jan. 19, 1986

Sarah E. E., born Oct., 1881 in Caldwell Co., married first to James W. Gragg, a son of Leason and Martha Renie Coffey Gragg. James was born Oct. 19, 1883 in Caldwell Co., and died there in Jun. 15, 1926. They were married c1906 in Caldwell Co. There were 10 children born to this marriage: Stella Lou, born Apr. 17, 1906; Nancy Elizabeth, born May 11, 1907; Hester, born Feb. 2, 1909, died Mar. 14, 1948; Florence, born c1911; Columbus Newton, born Feb. 12, 1912, died Jun. 30, 1979; Albert Robert, born Jul 23, 1913, died Dec. 22, 1989; Piolet P., born c1916, died Jan. 16, 1939, married Joseph Monroe Coffey, a son of Julius Adore and Aston Jane Dellinger Coffey; Leason Obidiah, born 1916, died Feb. 23, 1986, married Nell Elizabeth Coffey, daughter of Julius Calvin and Clearcy Adams Coffey; Lue Cenia, born Mar. 25, 1918, died Oct., 1986; and Joseph, born c1920.

William Carlton (Will), born Jan. 1884, died Nov. 30, 1957. He married Bessie Mae Townsend, born Jan. 22, 1890, died Dec. 26, 1956, in Caldwell Co. in 1907. They were parents of 11 children: Lula, born Jul. 1, 1908, died 1989; Joe Cleveland, born Aug. 19, 1912, died Apr. 24, 1994; Rose Ellen, born Jan. 19, 1914, died 1914; Emma, born Apr. 24, 1915, died 1930; George Thomas (Pig Tom), born Aug. 29, 1917, died Jan. 3, 2007, married Cordelia Viola Coffey, daughter of Thomas Newton (Black Tom) and Ella Mae Loudeermilt Coffey. Thomas Newton and George Thomas were second cousins; Nancy Elizabeth, born Oct. 6, 1919, died 1989, married Dillard Green Coffey, a son of David William and Dessie Crump Coffey. Dillard and William Calton were distant cousins. John William, born Oct. 24, 1922, died May 31, 2007; Lillie Ruth, born Aug. 22, 1924, died Jan. 26, 2003, married Roby Clint Coffey, a son of Horance Clinton and Viola T. Cook Coffey. Roby and William Walton were close cousins. Troy Abner, born Apr. 27, 1927; Cora Lee, born Apr. 30, 1930; and Monroe Jackson, born Jan. 4, 1934.

Jesse Cleveland, born Dec. 1888 in Caldwell Co., married Eliza Loudermilt in 1910 in Caldwell Co. They were parents of at least six children: Annie Rivers, born 1911, died 1952; Nannie B., born c1912, married William Glenn Coffey, a son of Jesse Calton and Julia E. Hollifield Coffey. Nannie and William were close cousins. Lester Devarlin, born c1914; Zelma, born c1915; Nettie J., born Feb. 27, 1920; and Jerry Baxter, born 1923, died 1973.

James Perry, born c1885, died 1971 in Caldwell Co. He married Bertha Noblett c1905 in North Carolina. Their children were six: James Perry, Jr., born c1917; Jessee Logan, born 1917, died 1973; Troy William, born Oct. 29, 1920, died Feb. 16, 1995; Rosey, born c1924; Catherine, born about Jan. 1926; and George Thomas, born May 19, 1928, died Dec. 21, 1989.

Thomas Newton (Black Tom), born May 1890 in Caldwell Co., died there in 1940. He married Ella Mae Loudermilt in Caldwell Co. in 1909. She was born Oct. 1891 and died in Caldwell Co. in 1975. They were parents of 11 children: Mary, no dates' Missouri Ann (Zudie), born Nov. 10, 1910, died Aug. 4, 2003; Arizona (Zone), born 1912, married Harrison Thomas Coffey, a son of Willart T. "Iron Foot" and Eliza Alice Townsend Coffey; Epsey Magdelene, born 1916, died 1989; Arlie Clinton, born Jun. 24, 1918, died Sep. 25, 1974; Cordelia Viola (Cordie), born Aug. 14, 1920, died Jan., 1983, married George Thomas "Pig Tom" Coffey; Clinton (unsure of this one), born c1923; Rosie Annalee, born Sep. 30, 1924, died Feb. 9, 1971; Abner Willie, born May 9, 1925, died Sep 3, 1989; Lewis Monroe, born Nov. 5, 1929, died Dec. 5, 2004; and Spencer, born Nov. 6, 1930.

[Jan. 23, 2008: There were two other children born to this union between Thomas Newton and Ella Mae: Ruby Mae, born c1932 and Johnny Ray, born c1934. Two additional children may have been part of this family as well. They are Dolly Alwilma (Wilma, Lewilma?), and Ella May. No birth records have been found for them. Dolly married Leonard Dayton Coffey. A Dolly Coffey is listed as sister in the obituaries of several of Tom and Ella's known children. Please contact me if you can connect any of these children to the correct families.]

Rosa Bell (Rosie), born Sep. 1893, Caldwell Co., married Joseph Townsend. Their children were Mary, born c1914; Matilda Beatrice (Tilda), born 1916, died 1917; and Frank Lewis, born Oct. 14, 1919, died Mar. 28, 1999.

I have other spouses, children and dates. Please contact me at the below e-mail address for more information or, to add to or correct any of these data.

Lula married  Herbert Church on Aug. 13, 1932 in Boone.

Nettie Louise Coffey

Nettie was a daughter of Francis Richmond and Etta May Hayes Coffey*. She was born in North Caroliona, probably in Caldwell Co., on 8 Dec., 1896. She died in Watauga Co. on Aug. 7, 1979. Both her birth and death dates were found in the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) as well as in the North Carolina death records. She married Larkin Alberton Calloway in Watauga Co., but a marriage date has not been found. Based on birthdate of their first child, 1913 can be the presumed marriage year.



Larkin Alberton was born Apr. 1, 1885 in Watauga Co., and died Jan., 1966 in Banner Elk, Avery Co. His birthdate was found in the WW1 draft registration cards, and his death date was recorded in the SSDI. When he registered for the draft on Sep. 12, 1918 in Watauga Co., he was described as being of medium build and height with brown hair and eyes. Nettie was named as his nearest relative.



There were four children born to the marriage, but only two survived to adulthood. All were born in Watauga Co.

• DeEtte, born Apr. 22, 1914


• Nellie M., born Oct. 5, 1917, died at age 5 on Sep. 27, 1923 in Watauga Co.


• MacDonald, born Sep. 20, 1919, died at age 15 on Jan. 22, 1935 in Avery Co.


• Claude Coolidge, born Feb. 1, 1922

Francis Richmond was a son of Silas Carroll and Eleanor Green Coffey, and Etta was the daughter of Richard and Delphia L. Hayes Hayes.

Please contact me with additions and/or corrections. I would like to know when and where they married, and the parents of Larkin.

*Francis Richmond Coffey was a son of Silas Carroll and Eleanor Green(e) Coffey. Etta was the daughter of Richard and Delphia L. Hayes Hayes. Richard was in the Ransom and Sarah Greene Hayes line.

Ancestry.Com Census Errors

I've just learned a valuable lesson about Ancestry.com census records.


I was searching for a particular Coffey family in 1840 North Carolina using the Ancestry census index. The index points to them in Wake Co.


That particular census (according to Ancestry) consists of 172 images. The family I was looking for, along with other families known to have been related, was found on image 144. The only problem is that the enumeration for Wake Co. ended at image 105 with Yancey beginning at image 106.


I was finally abe to figure out the problem, thanks to a sharp-eyed fact checker who questioned why this particular Coffey family would be in Wake Co. at that time.

Rev. Reuben A. Coffey

Reuben Coffey was born in North Carolina in 1790 [sic]1. In early life he learned the blacksmith trade. Soon after his majority he began to preach. In 1830 he moved to Owen County, Ind., and after living there for a short time he removed to Monroe County, and, having resided in the latter ten or twelve years, he returned to Owen County and abode there until his death, which occurred in 1854,

Brother Coffey was a pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church for a long series of years; also pastor of Macedonia Church for a long time. He never received pay for his ministerial services, except from missionary funds, which gives evidence that he was in full sympathy and missions. He was noted for soundness in doctrine and earnestness in his work. It is said that he was the first real "missionary: Baptist preacher in his section, and that he was looked upon with suspicion on account of his advocacy of missions and the right of those who preach "to live of the Gospel." In education he was personally deficient, while he saw its importance and did all he could by argument and the bestowal of means to promote it in the denomination by means of educational institutions. He was father of a family of ten children, and a very large number of Baptists in the State bear his name; and, as a family, they are strongly in favor of the college he aided in establishing, and several of them have been members of its classes.

Source: The Board of Trustees, Franklin College - First Half Century - Jubilee Exercises 1834-1884 (Cincinnati, OH: Journal and Messenger, 1884)

1 A birthdate of Sep. 15, 1785 was given in Tennessee Cousins by Worth S. Ray.

Thomas Stuart Coffey (follow-up)

Thomas Stuart Coffey, born Dec. 12, 1881 in Watauga Co., NC, was a son of Thomas Jefferson and Mary Elizabeth (Mollie) Greer Coffey. It has been suggested that Thomas Stuart was named by his Civil War veteran father in honor of J.E.B. Stuart, famed Confederate cavalry officer and often referred to as "the eyes and ears" of Robert E. Lee.

T. S. Coffey married Josephine Carr Sanborn on Feb. 14, 1912 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC. Josephine was born c1844 in North Carolina and died Dec. 17, 1977 in Statesville, Iredell Co., NC. T. S. died Aug. 21, 1970 in Statesville.

Three children were born to the marriage:

Marjorie Elizabeth, born Mar. 28, 1913. She married Phares Vernon Breneman on Jan. 22, 1944 in Statesville. Phares was a son of Daniel and Ella Breneman, and was born Apr. 30, 1906 in Henry, Rush Co., IN. He died May 9, 1976 in Statesville. I have not found any children born to this union. Both married in their 30's and after Phares completed his service in the Army during WW2. He enlisted in the service at Los Angeles, CA on June 17, 1941, just months prior to the Japanese raid of Dec. 7, 1941 on Pearl Harbor.

Thomas Stuart, Jr., born Aug. 1, 1915, died Dec. 16, 1968. He married Mary Stackhouse Macon and was the father of Ann Macon, born Aug. 15, 1946 and Thomas Stuart III, born Jan. 26, 1950. Shortly after the marriage, Thomas, Jr. enlisted in the Army on Jan. 25, 1943 at Fort Bragg, NC. He was described as being 5' 10" tall and weighed 132 lbs.

After returning to Statesville following military service, T. S. Jr. became more active in town and state politics. Numerous articles concerning his life and service in the area can be found in archived copies of The Landmark, a period newspaper of Statesville, NC. One such article, which appeared in the May 17, 1945 edition reads:

S-Sgt Coffey, the son of Mr. and Mrs. T. S. Coffey, 316 East Broad Street, Statesville, is married to the former Miss Mary Macon, Warrenton, North Carolina. A 1935 graduate of Matt Thompson High School, Statesville, he attended the University of North Carolina and was in charge of the Securities division, North Carolina treasury department, Raleigh, before entering the army in January, 1943. Having graduated from engineering school at Greeley, Colorado, he came overseas in June, 1943. Before entering the army, he was an active member of the Raleigh Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Doris Sanborn, born Jan. 19, 1920 in Statesville, died May, 1994 in Statesville. She married Richard Hardin Griggs there on Nov. 7, 1940. Richard was born Sep. 24, 1913 in Gary, McDowell Co., WV and died Jan. 25, 1990 in Statesville. I know of one child, a son, Richard Stuart Griggs, born Apr. 1, 1948.

Additions and/or corrections welcomed.