James Avery Coffey was a descendant of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey. He was a son of George Washington and Mary Elizabeth Lewis Coffey and was born on Jun. 1, 1882 in Hickory Co., NC. He moved to Watonga, Blaine Co., OK sometime before 1906 when he married Ethel Mae Noah there on Dec. 29 of that year.
Ethel was a daughter of Benjamin F. and Clara M. Noah. She was born Nov. 11, 1890 in Beloit, Mitchell Co., KS and died in Okeene, Blaine Co., OK on Jul. 15, 1981. Both she and James are buried at Canton Cemetery, Canton, Blaine Co., OK.
She and James were parents of at least 13 children; 8 sons and 5 daughters.
Today, I will write about one of their youngest sons: Elmo Wilbur Coffey, born Dec. 23, 1927. Elmo married Lydia Faye Medicine Elk, a full blooded Cheyenne, daughter of James Medicine Elk and Jennie Black, also Cheyenne.
An entry on the Jenny Black Find-A-Grave memorial site reads:
"Jennie Black Medicine Elk was the daughter of Jay Black (Kettle). She was also a great granddaughter of Wolf, brother of Cheyenne Peace Chief Blackkettle. Wolf survived both massacres at Sand Creek and Washita. Wolf changed his name to Black Kettle to honor his brother after he was slain at Washita. She was closely raised with her cousins, Ameil Curtis and Mary Black Haag; and considered them her brother and sister. She married James Medicine Elk, who became keeper of the sacred arrows for the Southern Cheyenne. Together they has [sic] a son, James Joseph Medicine Elk and a daughter, Lydia Fay Medicine Elk."
A photo from her memorial site:
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| Jennie stands left. Seated is Mary Black Haag and right is Katie Haag Hawkins (Memorial Photos Contributed by Marlon Fixico) |
James and Jennie had two children; one son, James J. Medicine Elk, born May 6, 1929, died Jan. 9, 1922 in Oklahoma and Lydia Faye Medicine Elk, born Feb. 10, 1933, died Jan. 28, 1968 also in Oklahoma.
James J. served in the US Navy during World War II, attested to by his military grave marker at the Indian Mennonite Cemetery in Canton. I have not found a spouse.
Lydia Faye was born Feb. 10, 1933 in Lincoln, Dewey Co., OK to James Medicine Elk and Jennie Black, both Cheyenne. She died Jun. 28, 1968 and was buried at Indian Mennonite Cemetery in Canton. I have not yet found a marriage record for them but based on year of birth of their seven children, it was likely in latter part of 1949 or early 1950.
Their children were:
George Ferrell Coffey, born Jun. 30, 1951, died Mar. 26, 2002 at Canton. His military marker tells us he was a Specialist Fourth Class in the US Army and likely served during the Viet Nam War.
Walter Edward Coffey, born Mar. 20, 1953 at Canton, died Apr. 5, 2016 at El Reno, Canadian Co., OK. He was buried Apr. 7, 2016 at the Cantonment Cemetery at Canton.
Thelma Louise Coffey, born Mar. 3, 1955 at Clinton, Custer Co., OK, died Nov. 10, 2014 at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Co. She too is buried at Cantonment.
Dena Deloris Coffey, born Nov. 8, 1956 in OK and died there on Apr. 29, 1997. She is buried at the Indian Mennonite Cemetery.
Gloria Lanette Coffey - information private.
Reva Sue Coffey, born May 6, 1959 in OK, died there on Apr. 11, 1996 and is also buried at the Indian Mennonite Cemetery.
Jennie Mae Coffey - information private
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