Alfred Alphonso and Julia Ann Dawkins Cofffey

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By his own hand, Alfred wrote that he and Julia were married in 1857. He would have been about 26 years old at the time, having been born in Wilkes Co., NC in 1831.  and, according to his autobiography, had lived a very adventurous life up to then.

Julia was the daughter of John and Mary Wheeler Dawkins, born in GA in Feb., 1838 and was about 20 years old when she married Alfred.  The Dawkins lived "in Habersham County [GA], 4 miles south of Tallulah Falls on Panther Creek."

The Coffey family appeared in the 1860 census at Rabun Co., GA with one child, a son, Newton Walter Coffey, born in July, 1858.  He and Julia had another child, Mary Angie, born in Sep., 1860.  By 1861 Alfred was off on another adventure, this time as a soldier in the 52d Georgia Infantry[1].  He survived the war and from about 1862 through 1882 they added another eight children to their family.

The family moved around a bit during those years.  In 1870 they were in Rock Spring, Walker Co., TN.  In 1880 and 1900 they were in Hamilton Co., TN.  Julia died in Mar., 1906 and by 1910 Alfred was an aged gentleman who sought shelter with his son Starlin [sic] in Marion Co., TN.  Alfred died in Dec., 1915 and was buried near Julia at Forest Hills Cemetery in Chattanooga.

All of their children were born in GA, and probably Rabun Co. specifically.

Their son Newton died in Rabun Co. in 1860 but, his burial site is unknown.

Mary Angie or, Angie as she was known, married Judson Buchanan of Monroe Co., IN in 1883 in Hamilton Co., TN.  He was a Coffey descendant as well.  His father was John Hamilton Buchanan and his mother was Miriam Coffey, the daughter of Rev. Reuben A. and Martha "Polly" Dowell Coffey.

Alfred A., probably Jr., was born c1862 but nothing else is know.

Starlin Pinkston was the fourth child, born in Apr., 1864.  He married Emma Raulston, 1879-1945, daughter of Robert and Anne Beene Raulston in Hamilton Co., c1898.  Children, all born in Marion Co., TN, were Earl Leonard, Vesta V., Stella, Ethel Mae (died at age 2), Willie May (died at age 11) and Charles.  Starlin died in Marion Co. in 1941.  Emma died in 1945 and both are buried at the Bean-Raulston graveyard in South Pittsburg, Marion Co.

Jackson Lafayette Coffey

Ellie Horton

Jackson Lafayette, born in 1865, married Ella Mahle "Ellie" Horton, daughter of W. A. and Annie Gibson Horton, c1886 in probably TN.  They raised at least 10 children:  Clara, Charles Clifton, George Clinton, Lillie Mae, Nellie G., William Dewey, Julia Ann, Robert Lee, James Cornelius and DeWitt Clifton [sic].  Jackson and his family were in Marion Co., TN in 1900 and by 1910 they were farming in Navarro Co., TX.  They remained in that county until 1920 when they were in Henderson Co., TX but back in Navarro by 1930.  Jackson died there in 1946; Ellie lived until 1956.  They are both buried at the Hamilton-Beeman cemetery in Retreat, Navarro Co.  It appears that most of their children lived and died in Navarro Co. and are buried there.  Son George Clinton "Clint"  Charles Clifton "Cliff" died in Chattanooga and was buried there in 1974.

Elizabeth Adeline "Addie" was born in 1867 and died in Chattanooga in  Jan., 1941.  She married William Henry Waldron in TN in 1887.  He was a native of Virginia, born there in 1858. He died just a few days before Addie, in Jan., 1941.  Both are buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Chattanooga.  I know of two children:  Mae Virginia, born c1890 in AL, married Conrad Fred Stier of GA in 1908, Jefferson Co., AL; and a son, Carroll, born Oct., 1892.

Sylvester A., born 1870, married Minerva "Minnie" Richards c1892 in GA.  Minerva was born in GA in 1874.  They had at least 10 children:  Charles, Mary J. (Eunice?), William Armstrong; Aldred A., Ross, Cathleen, Donald, James and an infant that was born in Feb., 1917 and died in June of that year.  Sylvester died in 1930 and is buried at Chattanooga Memorial Park.  I have not found Minnie's death record.

Talullah Virginia "Lula," born 1874, married William Norval Taggart on Hamilton Co., in 1899.  William was a native of Missouri, born there in about 1874.  They had at least two children, Julia, born c1895 and Norvell, a son, born c1897.  William died in 1958, Lula in 1958.  Both are buried at Greenwood in Chattanooga.

David Lee, born 1876, married Martha Hyatt, date unknown but probably close to 1900.  She was a native of NC, born there in 1883.  They had at least one child, Robert Lee, born 1903, died 1977.  All are buried at Greenwood.

Last but not least is Effie Thelma, born 1882.  She married George Thomas Ogburn c1902 in TN.  They had at least two children, a daughter Merita, born c1904 and a son, Junior, born c1907.  Nothing more is known.

More detailed information is available on the CD and DVD.

Corrections and additions welcomed!

Jack

[1] "Georgia Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865"

Robert Lawrence "Bob" Coffey

Relatively speaking, this is a "modern" family.  However, it did take a bit of concentration on my part to finally figure out that he had two wives, each named Lula!

Robert was born in Caldwell Co., NC in 1897 to Jesse Finley and Mary Elizabeth Craig Coffey.  He married Lula Shell on Aug. 30, 1913 in Lenoir, the daughter of Robert and Laura Sigmon Shell. 

Lula Shell Coffey gave birth to three children: 

Laura Mozelle, born Jun. 8, 1914, died of tuberculosis and unmarried on Jul. 22, 1938.  Laura is buried at the Union Church Cemetery in Lenoir.

Second child was Finley Tuttle, born in 1915 and died Dec. 23, 1979 in Lenoir.  He married Jewel Genett Andrews, a daughter of John Finley and Lucy Bean Andrews in Caldwell Co. in 1953.  Jewel was born in 1923 and died Jan. 1, 2006 in Caldwell Co.  She is buried at Belleview Cemetery in Lenoir and, I suspect Finley is also buried there.

The last child born to Lula Shell Coffey was Charles Woodrow, born Oct. 26, 1917 and died of tuberculosis on Mar. 10, 1919 in Lenoir.  He and his mother died very close together, perhaps on the same day but, although a death certificate for Charles has been found, none has been found for Lula.

Three years after the death of Lula Shell Coffey, "Bob" Coffey married Lula Lovina Hart, a daughter of Calvin Jones and Amanda Emmaline Wise Hart.  The wedding took place on Mar. 11, 1922 in Caldwell Co.  Lula Lovina Hart was born c1905 and died Apr. 5, 1978 in Caldwell Co.  I do not know where either of them are buried.

Bob and Lula Hart Coffey had at least 10 children, all born in Caldwell Co.:

Frances, born Mar. 3, 1923, died Jun. 21, 2010 in Hickory, Catawba Co., NC.  She married  Foke Lenoir Hartley, born Apr. 2, 1922 in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co., a son of George Sidney Hartley and Callie Bentley.  Foke died Oct. 19, 1988 in Valdese, Burke Co., NC.  Their children were Doyle Sidney; Mavis Ann; and Thelma Susan, all of which are now deceased.

Mable Ruth, born Jun. 6, 1924, died Oct. 26, 1989 in Lenoir.  She married George James Prestwood, born c1918 in Caldwell Co.  Her obituary reads:

Mabel Ruth Coffey Prestwood, 65, of 310 Reform St. SW, Lenoir, died Thursday, Oct. 26, 1989, at Caldwell County Hospice.

She was born June 6, 1924, in Caldwell County, a daughter of Robert Lee Coffey of Lenoir and the late Lula Hart Coffey.

She was a homemaker.

In addition to her father, Mrs. Prestwood is survived by her husband, George James Prestwood of Charlotte; three sons, Gordon James Prestwood and Ralph Edward Prestwood, both of Lenoir, and David Lee Prestwood of San Diego, Calif.; three daughters, Georgia Ann Harris of Aiken, S.C., Shirley Jean Hitt of Statesville and Mary Jane Lebuff of Homa [sic], La.; two brothers, Lawrence Coffey of Waynesville, Mo., and Daniel Coffey of Wilmington; five sisters, Frances Hartley, Sarah Stone and Florence Prestwood, all of Lenoir, Mrs. Clyde (Alice) Smith of Morganton, and Mrs. Paul (Grace) Spears of Phoenix, Ariz.; 17 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

The service and interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell County Hospice.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

James O., born 1926, died 1926

Lemuel Hart, born Jun. 13, 1927, died Jun. 26, 1976.  Lem married Dorthy Mae McMillan on Jun. 30, 1949 in Caldwell Co.  She was born May 16, 1931 in Caldwell Co. to John Franklin and Amelia Ann Bishop McMillan.  Dorothy died Sep. 17, 2001 in Lenoir.  His obituary reads:

Obituary, Lenoir News-Topic, Monday, June 28, 1976

Lemuel Hart Coffey, 49, 210 Clearfield Drive, died Saturday evening in a Veteran's Administration hospital after an extended illness.

He was born June 13, 1927 in Caldwell County, son of Robert Lawrence and Lula Hart Coffey of Lenoir.

Coffey was employed at Kincaid Furniture Co.

Survivors, in addition to his parents, include his widow, Mrs. Dorthy Mae McMillian Coffey of the home; four sons, Terry Robert Coffey, Paul Gregory Coffey, Scott Bradley Coffey, all of Lenoir, and Jerry Franklin Coffey of El Paso, Tex.; three brothers, Finley Coffey of Collettsville, Larance Coffey of Missouri, and Dan Coffey of Wilmington; six sisters, Mrs. Alan (Sarah) Stone of North Wilkesboro, Mrs. Forke (Frances) Hartley of Baton, Mrs. Clyde (Alice) Smith of Morganton, Mrs. Paul (Grace) Spears of Phoenix, Ariz., and Mrs. George (Ruth) Prestwood and Mrs. Richard (Florence) Prestwood born of Lenoir.

The funeral was to be conducted at 2 p.m. today at Lakeview Baptist Church by Rev. Michael Barlowe and Rev. Dean Harold.

Burial was to follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Park.

Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home was in charge of Arrangements.

After Lem's death, Dorothy married Reynold Lee "Sarge" Setzer in 1976.  Sarge was born Jun. 29, 1930 in Caldwell Co. to Walter C. and Amanda Walsh Setzer.  He died Feb. 6, 2007 in Caldwell.  His obituary reads:

Obituary, News-Topic, Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC, Feb. 8, 2007

Reynold Setzer

Reynold Lee "Sarge" Setzer died Feb. 6, 2007, at Lenoir Health Care after a lengthy period of declining health.

Sarge was born June 29, 1930, in Caldwell County to W.C. and Amanda Walsh Setzer. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy McMillan Setzer; and a brother, Forest A. Setzer; and three infant brothers.

Survivors include his step-sons, Terry Coffey and wife Vicki of Lenoir, Jerry Coffey and wife Donna of Gray, Tenn., Scott Coffey and wife Linda of Asheville and Paul Coffey of Concord. He also is survived by five grandchildren, Suzanne Moore, Michael Coffey, Autumn Coffey, Nick Coffey and Yvonne Coffey, and two great grandchildren, Mason and Jessie Moore; a brother, Cecil B. Setzer and wife Mae; a sister-in-law, Bea Setzer; and a niece and nephew.

Sarge was assigned to the U.S. Army 2nd Infantry and completed 25 years of distinguished service, including the Korean Conflict and two tours in the Vietnam Conflict. He was later transferred to the First Armored Division and retired with honors in 1975. Master Sergeant Setzer received several commendations including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, National Defense Medal, The Army Commendation, The United Nations Medal and The Occupational Medal in Japan.

Sarge was a long-time member of First Advent Christian Church in Lenoir where he was a member of the senior men's Sunday school class. He was a collector of military books and extensive in his knowledge of military history. He attended Lenoir High School.

At his request, there will be no public funeral services. Memorials may be made to the First Advent Christian Church Music Program, P.O. Box 1714, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Dorothy's obituary:

Dorothy Mae McMillan Setzer, 70, of Camelot Court, Lenoir, died Monday, Sept. 17, 2001, at Caldwell County Hospice.

She was born May 16, 1931 in Caldwell County to the late John Franklin McMillan and Amelia Ann Bishop McMillan.  She was also preceded in death by her fi[r]st husband, Lemuel H. Coffey; and three brothers, Bill, Clifton and Paul McMillan.

She was a homemaker and a member of the First Advent Christian Church.

Survivors include her husband, Raymond Setzer of Lenoir, four sons, Terry R. Coffey of Lenoir, Jerry F. Coffey of Kannapolis, Paul G. Coffey of Hudson and Scott B. Coffey of Fletcher; one brother, the Rev. Eugene McMillan of Stuart, Va.; and five grandchildren.

A private memorial service will be held.

Memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645

Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Bob and Lula's next child was Lawrence Craig Coffey, born Feb. 18, 1929, died May. 25, 2005 in Crocker, Pulaski Co., MO.  His wife was Maggie Lee "Peggy" Benefield.  No other information.

Following Lawrence was Florence Elizabeth, born 1932.  No further information.

Alice Hart, born 1935, married Clyde William Smith.  No further information.

Their last three children were:  Daniel Luke, born 1937; Grace Levina, born 1940 and Sarah Nell, born 1945.  No further information on them.

Gideon and Martha Teague Philyaw

I have not put a lot of research effort into this family except as pertains to the marriage of several of their children to members of the Coffey family. Please contact me if you are the source for the photos or, would like to add to or correct any of this information.

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Gideon was a son of Jackson Philyaw and his wife Kate - who also may have been a Philyaw. He was born Jun. 23, 1839 in Caldwell Co. and died there on Feb. 23, 1925. He married Martha on Mar. 26, 1862 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. She was born c1845 in North Carolina and died there c1900.

The first child that I have for them was Alice, born Dec. 23, 1869 in Globe Twp., Caldwell Co., and died there on Nov. 11, 1930.  She married John L. Bean [Beane?] who was born Dec. 7, 1858 in NC and died there on Sep. 23, 1931.

Docia Malinda was born Feb. 2, 1873 and died in Lenoir on May 26, 1957.  She married George Penley.  Docia is buried at Maple Grove Cemetery in Globe Twp.

James Milton was born Oct. 30, 1878 and died in Mulberry Twp., Caldwell Co. on May. 20, 1923.  He married Sarah Jane Coffey, a daughter of Joseph Burgess and Margaret Lagustia Gragg Coffey on Feb. 5, 1905 in Caldwell Co.  Sarah was born Apr. 24, 1881 in Caldwell Co., and died in Lenoir on Nov. 27, 1957.  Joseph Burgess was a son of Bryce Brisco and Susannah "Sookie" Gragg Coffey.  Susannah was Margaret's aunt as well as her first cousin.

Pinkney David "Pink" was born May 31 1880 and died in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., NC on Jun. 24, 1945.  Pink married Ilar Jane Coffey, a daughter of John Carroll and Nancy Evelyn Hartley Coffey.  Ilar Jane was born in June, 1888 and died in 1981.

Margaret Caroline "Maggie", born 1889 in Caldwell and died there on Sep. 16, 1976.  She was married to Silas Milton Coffey, a brother to Ilar Jane. on Nov. 5, 1905.  He was born Jun. 16, 1886 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., and died there on Nov. 4, 1961.  Additional information on Silas' family can be found here.

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Update: June 2, 2011

Gideon and Martha's first child was John, born in 1864, died 1930 in VA.  Their second was Columbus Iverson, born Aug. 16, 1867 in Caldwell Co., died Apr. 26, 1949.  He married Hannah Jane Hicks c1890 and had children:  Martha Elizabeth who married John Crisp; Margaret; Fred, born Sep. 20, 1897, died Nov. 24, 1970; Dan Wesley, born Dec. 21, 1899, died Jan. 22, 1981; Velma Mae, born Apr. 27, 1905, died Apr. 20, 1993.  Velma married Arvil Harden Coffey, son of George Wiley and Ida Belle Norman Coffey; and Torrence Iverson, born 1911, died Dec. 24, 1966 at Black Mountain in Buncombe Co.

Following Alice [see above], was Anna, born, c1871.  No further info.


Susan Jane, born 1872, followed Anna.  She married Edward G. Pendley on Sep. 2, 1890 in Globe, Caldwell Co.

Following Docia [see above], came Leonard D., born 1876.  He married Nora Gragg on Sep. 23, 1898 in Globe.

Roy Virgil was born after Pink.  He came along in Mar. 1885 and died Aug. 23, 1964 in Lenoir.  Roy married Mary Ann Austin, born May 1, 1886, died Sep. 8, 1954.

According to the 1900 census, Martha reported being the mother of 12 with 11 living children.  I haven't found the 12th child yet.

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Harry Thomas & Annie Lou Coffey Austin

Annie Lou Coffey was a daughter of William M. & Martha Jane Sharpe Coffey.  According to death records in Caldwell Co., Annie was born on Jan. 22, 1887.  However,  her death certificate reports that she was born Aug. 3, 1885.  She died on Mar. 6, 1972 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC and was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Park at Kings Creek.

She was married to Harry Thomas Austin c1915.  Harry was born Aug. 3, 1885 in Caldwell Co., and died there on Dec. 4, 1971.  He too is buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Park.  Harry was the son of Joseph Milton and Margaret Matilda Green Austin.  Joseph descended from Thomas Jefferson and Margaret Jane Bean Austin, a large family from Caldwell Co.

Their children, all born in NC,  were: Millard Gwyn, born Nov., 1914; Reva Gay, born Nov., 1916; Claude Everett, born Mar., 1921; Elsie M., born c1922; and Guy Coffey, born c1925.

This photo of Harry and Annie Lou with their children is courtesy of Brian Smoot, a grandson of Reva.

Please contact me to add to or correct any of this information.

Update 09/25/2009:  Family members inform me that Harry's name was spelled Horry.

Tracey Jack & Nellie Juanita Estes Coffey

Tracey Jack Coffey was a son of Columbus (Lum) Alexander and Mary Alice Woodruff Coffey. He was born Jul. 7, 1923 in Newland, Avery Co., NC and died on Aug. 30, 1994 in Caldwell Co. He was buried on Sep. 4, 1994 in the Blue Ridge Memorial Park at Kings Creek in Caldwell Co.

He married Nellie Juanita Estes, a daughter of Theodore and Laura Bean Estes in 1962. Given the age of both at the time of marriage (he as 39, she was 34) it is likely that both were previously married. I have not found any record of children born to this union.

Laura was born Jun. 1, 1928 in Caldwell Co. and died on Saturday, May 9, 2009.

Her obituary:

News Topic Lenoir N C May 10, 2009

Nellie Coffey

Nellie Juanita Coffey, 80, of Lower Creek Drive, Lenoir, died Saturday, May 9, 2009 at Gateway Nursing Center. She was born June 1, 1928 in Caldwell County to the late Theodore Estes and Laura Bean. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Coffey, four brothers, and four sisters.

She attended Crossroads Community Church and was a prayer warrior who was very active in church and her community.

Survivors include a brother, Stephen Bean of Charlotte; a loyal and faithful niece, Ms. Camilla "Sissy" Coffey, and special friend, Mike Triplett, both of Lenoir.

Funeral services will be Monday, May 11, 2009 at 2 p.m, at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel conducted by Pastor Rick Bowman. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Sunday from 7-8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Serving as pallbearers will be Odell Watson, Jesse Suddreth, Joe Hoyle, Ross Winkler, James Wilfong and Donnie Kiefer. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Willis, Carroll Clontz and H.C. Ledbetter.

Memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care at 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, NC 28645 or Crossroads Community Church at 1509 SW Norwood Street, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com. Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Theodore Estes was born in North Carolina in 1857 and died in Lower Creek, Caldwell Co. on Jul. 30, 1937. Death was caused by uremia. He was buried on Jul. 31 in Confidence Church Cemetery at Lenoir in Caldwell Co.

I have been unable to find any birth or death information for Laura.

Columbus Alexander Coffey was a son of Eldelano (Lano) and Mary E. Austin Coffey. Mary Alice Woodruff was a daughter of James and Minerva (LNU) Woodruff.