Parkie M. Coffey (1913-1939)

Parkie was born on Jan. 23, 1913 in Adair Co., KY to Andrew Jackson "Andy" Coffey and Malinda Ann Wheat.  She was married to Bulon Grider on May 11, 1935[1], and at age 22 was somewhat late in the life of a young woman from Appalachia. Bulon was 26, born Jun. 23, 1908, a son of Hector Owen and Serena Josephine Bryant Grider.

Their first child, Nadean was born Jul. 9, 1935 in Montpelier and died 29 Oct 1999.  She was buried at the Hale Family cemetery.  Her husband was Travis Hale but neither a census record nor a  marriage record has yet been found. At least four children, all daughters, were born to this union: Beverly, Barbara, Pamela and Kathy.

Obituary from memorial site:

Nadean Hale, 64, Russell Springs, died Friday, October 29, 1999 at Russell County Hospital.  She was born in Russell County July 9, 1935 to the late Parkie Coffey Grider and the late Bulon Grider.  She was a homemaker and a member of French Valley United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Shelby Jean Grider, Lacona Grider and Leona Grider. She is survived by her husband Travis Hale; four daughters, Beverly Jo Hale, Russell Springs, Barbara Coffey and her husband Joe, Jamestown, Pamela Mann and her husband Billy, Russell Springs and Kathy Hale, Russell Springs; one brother, Orvis Grider, Columbia, Kentucky; six grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. Services were held Monday, November 1, 1999, 10:00 a.m. at Bernard Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Brian Janes and Rev. Tommy Sexton officiating. Burial was in Hale Cemetery. Special music was provided by Wilma Coffey and Steve Stapp. Pallbearers were Mike Bradshaw, Darrell Robertson, Charles Edwards, Ronnie Hudson, David Hare and Ronnie Coffey. Bernard Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

The tragedy in the life of Parkie and Bulon began circa Jan., 1937 when their daughter Annie Josephine was born.  The child died of acute bronchitis some four months later on May 27, 1937 in Montpelier.  She was laid to rest at Haynes Cemetery on 28 May 1937.  The Find A Grave memorial for Annie [No. 58330111] names her as a half-sibling to Bulon and Parkie's other children.  But, her death certificate names that couple as her mother and father.

Annie Josephine Grider 

Death Certificate

The tragedy continued with the death of Parkie on 27 Nov. 1939 of endocarditis and septicemia following the birth of twin daughters, Lacona and Leonna on Oct. 15, 1939.  Lacona died the day following her mother's death.  Leonna lived a bit longer before death overcame her on Dec. 8.

Parkie May Coffey Grider

Death Certificate

All were buried at Haynes Cemetery.

Bulon has not been found in the 1940 census.  He enlisted in the US Army at Louisville, KY on Jan. 19, 1943.

Bulon lived until Mar. 16, 1956 when he died as a result of malnutrition and dehydration caused by a brain tumor.  He was also buried at Haynes.  It is not known if her ever remarried. His death certificate reported that he was a widower at the time of death. The informant was his daughter Nadean, using surname Grider. Perhaps she married after his death.

Bulon Grider

Death Certificate

A death certificate has not been found for the other children.  Oddly, the daughter Annie and Shelby appear to have the same birth and death dates. Perhaps they too were twins.

Corrections and/or additions welcomed!

[1]"Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9398-QB5C-H?cc=1804888&wc=QD3Q-W78%3A1589734243 : 17 May 2018), 004544018 > image 150 of 1197; Madison County Courthouse, Richmond.