Dawson Henry (or, Henry Dawson on WW1 draft registration and Henry D. on his headstone) was born on Jul. 4, 1875 in Nelson Co., VA. He died on Aug. 13, 1934 and was buried in the Green Hill Cemetery at Buena Vista in Rockbridge Co., VA.
When he registered for the draft on Sep. 12, 1918 in Rockbridge Co., he was described as being short and slender with blue eyes and brown hair. He was at the time 43 years old, and gave his birthdate as Jul. 4, 1875. Henry was then a farmer who resided at Buena Vista with his wife, Katie.
He and Katie appeared in the census record from 1900 through 1930 in Buena Vista. In 1900 he gave his occupation as "laborer." In 1920 and 1930 he gave his occupation as "teamster." In those days and that place, being a teamster had nothing to do with driving a truck. However, the jobs were the same. A teamster in those days generally had their own team of horses and, hired out to move or haul furniture, equipment, etc.
Katie was Katherine Davidson, born in Aug., 1879 in Amherst Co., VA. She died on Jul. 12, 1937, probably in Rockbridge Co. She too is buried at Green Hill.
There were eight children born to the marriage:
Littie, born Aug. 12, 1900, died Sep. 7, 1958.
Walker Lee, born Mar. 3, 1904, died Sep. 11, 1947. Walker married Sarah Montgomery on May 24, 1924 in Buena Vista. She was born Jan. 12, 1908 in Buena Vista and died there on Sep. 24, 1990. They had at least one child, Thurman L., born Oct. 13, 1929, died Feb. 21, 1991. Thurman is buried at Green Hill. I do not yet know where Walker and Sarah are buried.
Eva Lena, born Aug. 30,1908 in Nelson Co., and died Mar. 28, 1963 in Lexington, VA. She married Horace Orey Pugh on Mar. 16, 1936 in Buena Vista. Horace ws born there on Oct. 3, 1894 and died there on mar. 14, 1958. Both are buried at Green Hill.
Eva's obituary:
Obituary, Roanoke Times
Mrs. Eva Coffey Pugh, 55, died last Thursday morning in a Lexington hospital. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Edward Potter, Buena Vista; one son, Marshall Ray Pugh, Buena Vista; three sisters, Mrs. James Fitzgerald, Miss Myrtle Coffey, both of Buena Vista, Mrs. Jewel Everett, Maryland; one brother, Russell Coffey, Glasgow; four grandchildren. funeral services were held at 4 PM Saturday at the Pentecostal Holiness Church by the Rev. B. L. Underwood. Burial was in Green Hill Cemetery.
William McKenley, born Jan. 26, 1909 in Nelson Co., and died Aug. 30, 1998 in Buena Vista. He married Annie Burley in Buena Vista on Sep. 27, 1926. Annie was born May 22, 1907 in Amherst Co., and died on Aug. 30, 1998 in Buena Vista. Both are buried in Green Hill.
Annie's Obituary:
Chittum, Annie Burley, 91 of Buena Vista, died Sunday, August 20, 1998 [sic] at Shenandoah Valley Health Care Center. She was born May 22, 1907 in Amherst County, daughter of the late James Burley and Sarah Lawhorne Burley. She was preceded in death by two husbands, William Coffey and George T. Chittum. She is survived by two sisters-in-law, Frances Burley and Blanch Burley, both of Covington, several nieces and nephews, a stepson, Thomas Chittum of Covington, many stepgrandchildren and a special friend, Ruby Humphries of Buena Vista. Graveside services will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday in Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday at Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Service.
Myrtle Idell, born Dec. 14, 1911, died Sep. 8, 1988
Mabel L., born Sep. 15, 1912, died May 16, 1989
Mamie Virginia, born May 6, 1915 in Rockbridge Co., died Feb. 24, 1973 in Lexington. Mamie was married on May 23, 1942 in Lynchburg, VA to James Henry Fitzgerald, born in Rockbridge Co. on Jan. 12, 1897. James passed away on Jan. 27, 1972 in Lexington.
Russell Henry Coffey was born Apr. 11, 1920 in Rockbridge Co., and died on Jan. 23, 1998 in Roanoke, VA. He married Elizabeth (Nettie) Wheeler. Russell is buried in the Glasgow Cemetery in Rockbridge Co. I have no further information on Nettie.
Russell's Obituary
Obituary, Roanoke Times, Roanoke, VA
Coffey, Russell Henry, 77, of Natural Bridge Station, died Friday, January 23, 1998 at Roanoke Community Hospital, Roanoke, Va. Born August 11, 1920 he was the son of the late Henry D. and Catherine Davis Coffey. He was a farmer and retired from the N & W Railroad after 31 years service. He was a veteran of WW II. He was preceded in death by a son, Russell "Boona" Coffey. Surviving are his wife, Myrtle Campbell Coffey, eight children, Joyce Pugh, Buena Vista, Kenneth Coffey, Buena Vista, Hazel Link, Natural Bridge, Kathy Walters, Timber Ridge, Darrell Coffey, Clifton "Chuck" Coffey, Tammy Coffey, and Daniel Coffey, all of Natural Bridge, sixteen grandchildren and nine great-granschildren. funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Monday, January 26, 1998 at the Lomax Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ralph VanNess officiating. Burial will follow in the Glasgow Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lomax Funeral Home.
More information on this family is available from Marshall Pugh, who contributed the photograph and his family history.
Please contact me at the above e-mail address for additions or corrections.
