DNA & The Augustus F. & Betty Beard Coffey Family

The family of Augustus F. Coffey
L:R rear: Archie, Spencer, George, Benson, Robert, Blaine Dillard
L:R front:  Maude, Cena, Betty Beard Coffey, and Bonnie
Photo courtesy of Brent Coffey

I have, over the past couple of days, exchanged much e-mail with Brent Coffey of Maryland concerning his descent from Edward and Ann Powell Coffey.  The exchange resulted from his recent DNA test which does show him to be an Edward descendant.

The problem [if there is one] seems to be one particular marker in his DNA that does not match most of those in the Edward group of the DNA project.  I won't go into a discussion about DNA because I frankly do not understand enough to hold an intelligent discussion.

However, the mis-matched marker also appears in the the DNA of another tested Coffey who descends from Thomas Coffey and Elizabeth Smith; Thomas being a son of John and Jane Graves Coffey.  Brent claims descent from Thomas' brother, Reuben and his wife Sarah Scott Coffey.  So, the question raised by Coffey DNA guru Fred Coffey was how positive Brent is that he descends from Reuben and not Thomas?!

Brent tells us that he descends from Reuben and Sarah Scott Coffey through their son Joseph > Jacob Zachariah > Jesse Patterson > Augustus F. > Blaine Dillard > Blaine Dillard, Jr.

[NB:  The children of Reuben and Sally are not entirely agreed upon by researchers.  The following then may be totally irrelevant in deciding who Brent's ancestor was.]

Joseph and his wife Isabella Lindsay had another son, Elisha born about the same time as Jacob Zachariah.  Both are thought to have been born in the 1813-1815 time frame and, could be twins.  I suggested that the certain DNA marker that does not match might be a result of the possibility that Elisha and Jacob were twins.

I don't believe a consensus has yet been reached and the questions remains open.

Blaine Dillard Coffey &
Faye Dell Van Klaveren
Wedding Photo
Photo courtesy of Brent Coffey

Keeping within that family, I learned from Brent that his grandfather was Blaine Dillard Coffey, born March 4, 1915 in Avery Co., NC to Augustus F. "Gus" Coffey and wife Betty Beard.  He was the eighth of their nine children. In error, I had him married to Maude Dillinger/Dellinger in Caldwell Co., NC on Jul. 13, 1935.  As it turns out, a Dillard Coffey did marry Maude but, it was Dillard Greene Coffey, a son of David William and Martha Etta Destimonia "Dessie" Crump Coffey.*  Dillard Greene and Blaine Dillard were second cousins, both descending from Jacob Zachariah Coffey, the son of Joseph.

Blaine Dillard was married on Sep. 11, 1946 in North Carolina to Faye Dell Van Klaveren, sister to a WWII shipmate of Blaine.  She was the daughter of Dick and Tillie Van Kotten Van Klaveren, Dutch emigrants who first settled in Iowa and later moved to Texas.  Faye was born in Cotulla, LaSalle Co., TX on Feb. 19, 1928.

  Jack

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*Readers who have a copy of my Edward Coffey Project DVD or, who have copied my research from elsewhere, should make a note of this change.

Langston and Mervina Coffey Coffey

Langston Coffey was the son of James Coffey and his wife, Elizabeth "Betsy" Coffey.  James and Elizabeth were first cousins, children of brothers Joel and Nathan Coffey, themselves sons of the mythical Chesley Coffey.

Mervina Coffey, wife of Langston, was a daughter of Absolom Coffey and his wife Mary Lusk or Mary Beard.  My research notes tell the that the Absolom that married Mary Lusk might not be the same Absolom that married Mary "Polly" Beard.

I received an e-mail a couple of days ago reminding me there was a reply to a note which I posted on the Genealogy.com message board back in 2008.  The person (Linda) who wrote the reply invited me to view her Beard Family Wiki History page in which she attempts to make the case that Absolom married Polly Beard, daughter of one Hugh Beard and his wife Esther.  The Wiki author tells us that Absolom Coffey is "said to be the son of Nathan/Nathaniel Coffey and Mary Saunders" but, offers no evidence to support that claim.[1]

Mervina, born Mar. 22, 1814[2] and Langston, born Aug. 11, 1807[2], both in KY, were first and second cousins.  They married, probably in Alabama and before 1832.  In 1845 Langston was appointed first Postmaster of Coffey Town [3], Jackson Co., AL.  The first four of their (at least) six children were born in AL; the last two in TX.

Those born in AL were:

Orita Elizabeth, born Jul. 5, 1836, died in Morris Co., TX on Jun. 25, 1905.  She apparently never married.

Benjamin Benton, born Nov. 15, 1839 - Benjamin was in Titus Co. in 1860 and on census day, Aug. 22, was living with the John M. Cook family.

Julia Ann, born Aug. 6, 1843 - Julia made it to Titus Co. and in 1850 was there with her family.

James Wylie, born Jun. 28, 1846, died Apr. 18, 1880 in Morris Co., TX.  James married Mary Elnora Glass (no date).  They had three children:  Madora J., born 1867, died 1870; William Benjamin, born 1874, died 1938 and James W., born 1878, died 1929.  James W. married Martha C. c1870 in TX.  She was born c1850 in MS.  After at least 5 children, all born in Morris Co. between 1871 and 1879, she and James W. apparently split the blanket, so to speak.  James died in 1929 at Sanatorium[4], in Tom Green Co., TX. In 1900, Martha had been married to James Travis Cherry for 17 years and had two children, Jimmie and Myrtle.  The census record reports both of them as daughters.  Martha's son Richard Coffey was also in the 1900 household.  Cherry died in Titus Co. in 1905.  I have not yet found a death date for Martha.

Those born in Texas were:

Selina Perminter [sic], was born in 1849, in TX and probably Morris Co., and died there in 1904.  She married James Polk Hayes in 1870 and had at least two children; John B., 1872-1875 and William Z., 1876-?.  James was born in TN in 1845 and died in Morris Co. in 1922.  Selina died in Morris Co. in 1904.  Both are buried at Spring Hill Cemetery in Naples, Morris Co., TX.

Obituary, Omaha Breeze, Omaha, Morris Co., TX, Aug. 3, 1922

James Polk Hayes was born in Tennessee, a son of William Hayes, and came to Texas in an early day settling at Old Snow Hill and spent his life in this section of the country; moving to Omaha, where he accumulated considerable property interests.

He was married to Miss Salione Coffey, daughter of Langston Coffey, another pioneer family of North East Texas, August 3, 1870 from which union two sons were born, the oldest dying at 3 years of age, and the second, William Z. Hayes, a prominent banker of Dallas, and who was with his father in his last hours on earth, survives: the wife and mother having preceded them both several years since.

Mr. Hayes had been a very strong man in his early life, served faithfully in the Confederate Army for a term of years, and went through many experiences which many of us will never know. 

He was a member of the Primitive Baptist church at Old Spring Hill and was for the past many years considered and known as one of the leading members.

His body was followed to Spring Hill by many friends and relatives on the 28th and interred by the side of his wife after impressive funeral services.

The last child of Langston and Mervina was Louisa Victoria, born 1854.  She was with her family in 1860 but nothing else is know of her.

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[1]The only evidence that I have comes from Tim Peterman, long time Coffey researcher and descendant of Chesley.  He wrote in Wilkes County Heritage some years ago that "Absolem Coffey was supposedly born in 1788. He married first to Mary Lusk and second to Nancy Chadwick. He probably settled in Jackson Co., Ala.  Joel Coffey was supposedly born on Aug. 3, 1790. He married Mary Knox in 1817. He died in 1850."  Tim cited DAR records, census records and the James Coffey [Langston's father] family Bible.

[2] Headstones, at Spring Hill Cemetery, Naples, Morris Co., TX

[3] http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~holdridge/places/langstonmethodist2.html

[4]Sanatorium is in Tom Green County sixteen miles northwest of San Angelo on U.S. Highway 87. It was never an incorporated town, instead, it was a relatively self-sufficient tuberculosis sanatorium. The postmark "Sanatorium, Texas" began with the opening of a post office on the campus in 1919 and disappeared on October 7, 1965, when the post office closed. [John C. Henderson, "SANATORIUM, TX," Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hls16), accessed January 10, 2013. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.]

Source for some Langston info received from Glendon T. Johnson of Abilele, TX (1995-96),   Langston, Brinton and Hugh were brothers, and in Titus Co. about 1850.  They and their wives are buried in Morris Co., TX, which in 1850's was part of Titus Co.

TITUS Co. People, Place and Events by Traylor Russell of Mt. Pleasant

The Coffey Families inTitus & Morris Counties

The Coffey families came into Titus Co. in the 1850's and settled near what is now Concord....  Morris Co. was not cut off from Titus Co. until 1875.  Elizabeth Coffey, Livingston (must be Langston) Coffey and William Coffey all patented land in Titus Co. in 1861.

TX. LAND TITLE ABSTRACTS VOL 1-a OF MORRIS Co., Tx. (Mt. Pleasant Library)

Abstract #64 Elizabeth  3-6-1861 Patent #350 Vol 32 160 acres Class d/o File #707

Abstract #67 Langston  3-7-1861 Patent # 351Vol 32 160 acres Class d/o File #810

Abstract #68 William     3-7-1861 Patent # 352 Vol 32 160 acres Class d/o File 811

The map showing this also shows "L. Coffey"  owned land due east of Abstract #67 and due north (of Elizabeth's #64)

Grantee: Langston Coffey-Coffee Patente:  L. Coffey-Coffee Patent Date: 6-9-1862 Acres: 103 and 114.1 District: Bowie Cty:  Morris File : 116 & 202 Patent #: 562 & 564 Patent Volume: 9 Class: R. R. Scrip 

Anna Moreland wrote:  "In addition to his own family, Langston Coffey raised about 8 of his sister's children. Their names were 'Bridges.'"

Kathy Coffey Simmons research also names Langston as a son of James, son of Joel and Martha Stepp and Elizabeth Coffey, daughter of Nathan and Mary Saunders Coffey. 

Harrison & Jincy Emily Clark Aldridge

I touched on Harrison and Jincy in an earlier blog.  He was a son of James and Elizabeth Calloway Aldridge and, that family history makes interesting reading.  See the earlier blog for all of the details.

Harrison and Jincy had a number of children, including one named Harrison, Jr., who married Mary Etta Buchanan c1886, probably in Watauga Co., NC.  He and Mary Etta had at least one child, a son named Samuel Anthony Aldridge, born Feb. 22, 1893 in Watauga Co., died in Lenoir, Lower Creek Twp., on Mar. 16, 1966.  He is buried at the Harrison Aldridge Cemetery in Foscoe, Watauga Co.

Sometime in 1915 he married Ramona Destamona Coffey in Caldwell Co.  In the marriage record, she is referred to as "Mona Coffey."  Mona was the daughter of Joseph Reubin and Martha Elizabeth Gragg Coffey and, was born Mar. 3, 1888, probably in Watauga Co.   She died on Jul. 12, 1967 in Lenoir and was buried there at the Hibriten Baptist Church cemetery.

Samuel and Mona had at least eight children, all born in Watauga Co.:

Howard Glenn, born Sep. 13, 1916, died Jun. 6, 1995 in Catawba Co. According to his obituary, his wife was named Genevieve.

Howard Glenn Aldridge, 78, of Maiden, died Tuesday June 6, 1916, in Watauga County to the late Samuel Aldridge and Destomonia Coffey.

Mr. Aldridge was a supervisor in the furniture industry and a U.S. marine veteran of World War II.

Survivors include his wife Genevieve Aldridge of the home; a daughter, Ramona A. Thompson of Lenoir; four brothers, Murphy, Guy and Byard Aldridge, all of Lenoir and Claude Aldridge of Hickory; three sisters, Edith A. Lowman and Clara A. Parham, both of Maiden and Dade A. Hewitt of Newton; a stepson, Carl Nelson Canipe of Maiden; two step-daughters, Helen Drum of Lincolnton and Ruby Bingham of Concord; four grand-children; and four great-grandchildren.

The funeral is 2 p.m. Friday at Burke Mortuary Chapel with the Revs. Garland Elliott and Richard Hick officiating.  Burial will be in Maiden City Cemetery.

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

Murphy Lail, born Mar. 5, 1918, died in Lenoir on Jan. 24, 1997.  He was never married.  He is also buried at Hibriten.

Edith Flo, born Jan. 24, 1920, died Dec. 11, 1995 at Newton in Catawba Co.  Edith married Ray Alvin Lowman, born Feb. 2, 1919 in Burke Co., died May 6, 1982 in Catawba Co.

Edith Aldridge Lowman, 75, of Maiden, died Monday, Dec. 11, 1995, at her home after an extended illness.

She was born Jan. 24, 1920 in Watauga County, to the late Samuel and Destimona Coffey Aldridge.  She was also preceded in death by her husband, Ray Alvin Lowman; an infant daughter, Maxine Ray; and one brother, Howard Glenn Aldridge.

Survivors include one son, William (Bill) Taft Lowman of Maiden; one daughter, Dayle Lowman Rhoney of Vail; two sisters, Clara Parham of Maiden and Dade Hewitt of Newton; three brothers, Guy Aldridge and Murphy Aldridge of Lenoir and Claude Aldridge of Hickory; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The family received friends Wednesday night at the Burke Mortuaries in Maiden.  The funeral was held Thursday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.,m. at the First Baptist Church in Maiden with the Rev. Richard Hicks officiating.  Burial followed in the Maiden City Cemetery.

Audry Clair Obituary Photo

Audry Clair "Clara," born Sep. 8, 1921, died Nov. 24, 2011 at Stokesdale in Guilford Co.  Her husband was William Albert "Bill" Parham, born Jan. 31, 1918 in Cowpens, Spartenburg Co., SC, died Nov. 22, 2008 in Stokesdale.   Both are buried at Maiden city cemetery in Catawba Co.

Stokesdale, N.C. - William "Bill" Albert Parham, 90, of Stokesdale, formerly of Maiden, passed away Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008, at Countryside Manor in Stokesdale.

Born Jan. 31, 1918, in Cowpens, S.C., he was the son of the late Boyd Smith Parham and Eva Easter Swafford Parham. 

Mr. Parham was a member of First Baptist Church in Maiden. He retired after 51 years from Carolina Mills. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Jerry Parham; two sisters, Thelma Setzer and Ophelia Schronce; and three brothers, J.T., Horace and Woodrow Parham. 

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Clara Aldridge Parham of Countryside Village in Stokesdale; a daughter, Claudene Wikle and husband, Richard, of Reidsville; grandchildren, Jeff Parham and wife, Sherry, and Jude Storms and husband, Daniel, all of Buffalo, N.Y., Shannon Sudderth and husband, Chip, of Durham and Kerri Wikle of Reidsville; and great-grandchildren, Austin Parham, Sierra Parham, Natalie Storms and Will Sudderth IV. 

The funeral service will be held Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008, at 7 p.m. at Burke Mortuary Chapel in Maiden, with Mr. Larry Teague officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., prior to the service, at Burke Mortuary Chapel in Maiden. 

Burial will be Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008, at 10 a.m. in Maiden City Cemetery in Maiden.

STOKESDALE — Clara Aldridge Parham, age 90, of Stokesdale, NC, formerly of Maiden, NC passed away Thursday, November 24, 2011 at Countryside Manor in Stokesdale, NC.
Born September 8, 1921 in Fosco, NC, she was the daughter of the late Sam Aldridge and the late Destamona Coffey Aldridge. Mrs. Parham was a member of First Baptist Church in Maiden. She was retired from Carolina Mills.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Bill Parham and their son, Jerry Parham; sisters, Edith Lowman and Dade Hewitt; brothers: Glenn, Guy, Murphy, Claude and Byard Aldridge.

She is survived by daughter, Claudene Wikle and husband, Richard of Reidsville, NC; grandchildren, Jeff Parham and wife, Sherry of North Tonawanda, NY, Jude Storms and husband, Daniel of Cheektowaga, NY, Shannon Sudderth and husband, Chip of Durham, NC and Kerri Wikle of Reidsville, NC; great grandchildren, Austin Parham, Sierra Parham, Natalie Storms, Cooper Storms and Will Sudderth, IV.

The family gives thanks to the staff of Countryside Manor & Village and to special friend and caregiver, Ginny.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, November 26, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. at Burke Mortuary Chapel in Maiden with the Rev. Barry Pearce and Mr. Larry Teague officiating.  Burial will follow in Maiden City Cemetery, Maiden, NC. 

The family will receive friends, prior to the service, from 1:30 - 2:15 p.m., at Burke Mortuary Chapel in Maiden. 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: First Baptist Church, PO Box 338, Maiden, NC 28650. 

Visit www.burkemortuary.com to register your condolences.  Burke Mortuary in Maiden is serving the Parham Family.

Darrell Obituary Photo

Darrell Claude, born Jan. 28, 1923 and died Aug. 8, 2011 in Hickory.  He first married Doreen Davey, but they divorced sometime c1952.  In about 1970 he married Hazel Lee Wood, a daughter of Jessie Lee and Lessie Porter Wood and the widow of Lloyd Worth Jones.  Hazel was born Jan. 8, 1030 in Wilkes Co., and died in Hickory on Oct. 28, 2010.  Both are buried at Starmount Baptist Church cemetery in Newton, Catawba Co.

HICKORY - Hazel Lee Wood Jones Aldridge, 80, of Hickory, went home to be with her Lord, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010, at Palliative CareCenter and Hospice of Catawba Valley in Newton. Born Jan. 8, 1930, in Wilkes County, she was the daughter of the late Jessie Lee and Lessie Porter Wood. Mrs. Aldridge was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Newton and had served as the church recording secretary. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Lloyd Worth Jones; a grandson, Lloyd Thomas Jones; two brothers, Allie and Vern Wood; and two sisters, Bernice Starnes and Pauline Raby. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Darrell Claude Aldridge of the home; son, Dr. Lloyd Jones and wife, Eugena, of Claremont; three grandchildren, Joshua Jones and wife, Rachel, Lori Garcia and Leah Robinson; eight great-grandchildren, Ashlee Bolick, Haley Johnson, Joshua Crawford, Peyton Jones, Cierra Jones, Darrell Moss, Danny Moss and Brandon Jones; one great-great-grandchild, Christopher Clontz; special friend, Ila Roberts; special care giver, Barbara Young.

The funeral service will be held on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010, at 2 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church in Newton with Dr. Lloyd Jones, Dr. J.D. Grasty and Dr. Buddy Sizemore officiating. The body will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service. Pallbearers will be Joshua Crawford, Darrell Moss, Danny Moss, Tommie Cole, Jimmie Raby, Roger Raby, Syd Taylor and JD Sharpe. Burial will follow in Starmount Baptist Church Cemetery in Newton. 

The family will receive friends on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church in Newton. The family extends special gratitude to Palliative CareCenter and Hospice of Newton for the loving care given to Mrs. Aldridge. Memorials may be made to Grace Baptist Church, 1805 Little Road, Newton, N.C. 28658; or to Palliative CareCenter and Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, N.C. 28658. 

Visit www.burkemortuary.com to register your condolences online. Burke Mortuary in Newton is serving the Jones/ Aldridge family.

Obituary, Hickory Daily Record, Aug. 10, 2011

Darrell Claude Aldridge, 88, of Hickory passed away Monday, Aug. 8, 2011 at Palliative CareCenter and Hospice of Catawba Valley in Newton. Born July 28, 1923 in Caldwell County, he was the son of the late Samuel A. and Destimona Coffey Adlridge. Mr. Aldridge was a U.S. Army/ U.S. Air Force Veteran having served in WWII and a member of Grace Baptist Church in Newton where he served as a Trustee, Sunday school teacher, usher and grounds keeper. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel Wood Jones Aldridge, two sisters, three brothers, and a grandson, Lloyd Thomas Jones. He is survived by his daughter, Loraine Aldridge of Lenoir; two sons, Graham Aldridge of Lenoir and the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Jones and his wife, Eugena of Claremont; two granddaughters, Lori Garcia and Leah Robinson, both of Hickory; grandson, Joshua Jones and his wife, Rachel of Newton; ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson; and sister, Clara Parham of Greensboro.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, Aug. 11, at 2 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church in Newton with Dr. Lloyd Jones and Dr. J.D. Grasty officiating. Pallbearers will be Sid Taylor, J. D. Sharpe, Tommy Cole, Sr., Joshua Lee Crawford, Danny Moss and Joshua Jones. Burial will follow in Starmount Baptist Church in Newton with military graveside honors by America Legion Post 16 of Newton.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, Aug. 10, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to: Grace Baptist Church, 1805 Little Road, Newton, NC 28658 or to Palliative CareCenter and Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658.

Visit www.burke mortuary.com to register your condolences online. Burke Mortuary in Newton is serving the Aldridge family.

Gerald Guy, born Jan. 9, 1926, died Jun. 5, 2005, married Joyce Lorraine Thompson.  She was born Aug. 10, 1931 and died Jun. 28, 1996 in Lenoir.  An obituary for Joyce has not yet been found.

Obituary, The News-Topic, Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC, Thur., Jun. 9, 2005

Gerald Guy Aldridge, 79, of Kincaid Street, SW, Lenoir, died Sunday, June 5, 2005, at Britthaven Nursing Center in Morganton.

He was born Jan. 9, 1926, in Watauga County to the late Samuel A.. and Lora Destimona Coffey Aldridge. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Thompson Aldridge; two brothers, Howard Glenn Aldridge and Murphy L. Aldridge; and two sisters, Edith F. Lowman and Eula Dane Hewitt.
Mr. Aldridge was retired from Kincaid Furniture Industries and was of the Baptist faith. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Gerald Allen and Gwen Aldridge of Burnsville; two daughters and a son-in-law, Mirana A. and Larry Holmes of Hudson, and Ms. Renee A. Reid of Lenoir; two brothers, Daryl Claude Aldridge of Hickory, and Lyle Byard Aldridge of Lenoir; a sister, Mrs. Clara Parham of Stokesdale; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 11, 2005, at 2 p.m. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, NC 28645 or to the Alzheimer's Association, Western Carolina Chapter, Mountain Region Office, 31 College Place, Suite D320, Asheville, NC 28801-2644.  [This probably a cremation]

Lyle Byard Aldridge, born Feb. 20, 1928, died in Lenoir on Dec. 5, 2010 and was buried at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Lenoir. His first wife was Juanita Mittie Oaks, but no other information is known.  According to the obituary, his wife, who had preceded him in death was Sylvia Reid Aldridge.

Lyle's Obituary Photo

Lyle Byard Aldridge, age 82, of Clarks Chapel Rd., Lenoir, died Sunday, December 5, 2010 at Gateway Nursing Center.  He was born February 20, 1928 in Watauga County to the late Sam and Lora Destimona Coffey Aldridge.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia Reid Aldridge;  one step-son, Thomas Bates;  three brothers and two sisters.

Mr. Aldridge retired from Harper Furniture and was a World War II Army Veteran.

Survivors include one daughter, Lynn Gillaspie and husband Cary of Las Vegas, Nevada, one step-son, David Bates and wife Carla of Lenoir;  two step-daughters, Brenda Freeman and Roberta Conner and husband Paul,  of Lenoir;  one brother, Claude Aldridge of Hickory,  one sister, Clara Parham of Stokesdale, North Carolina;  ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at 3:00 P.M. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel conducted by Rev. Tony Harris.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.  Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens of Lenoir.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Paul Conner, David Bates, Carson Bates, J. C. Nelson, Robert Everhart III, and John Sanders.

On-line condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Ula Dade, born Aug. 14, 1931, died May 25, 1997 in Catawba Co.  Her spouse was Billy Jackson Hewitt, a son of Earnest Edward and May Edith Beard Hewitt.  Billy was born Jan. 20, 1929 in Catawba Co. and was married to Ula on Dec. 23, 1949 in York Co., SC.  I have not yet found an obituary or burial location for either.

Update Apr. 22, 2012:  E-mail from a granddaughter of Ula informs me that Ula Dade is buried at Catawba Memorial Park in Hickory, Catawba Co., NC.  He grandfather, Billy Jackson Hewitt is still living and resides in Newton, NC.

The Archie Coffey Store in Edgemont, North Carolina

While searching for a history of Edgement, NC I ran across a website prepared by Bob Heafner.  Bob used his site to describe a visit he made in the early 60's and again in the 80's to the Pisgah National Forest.  When first there, he stayed in Edgemont and visited with Archie Coffey in his general store.

Bob described Archie as: 

...a man that typifies mountain people everywhere; a person who has faced hardships and danger without losing faith; a person who has endured the changes of time and natural disasters only to become stronger in character and in faith. Archie Coffey is a mountain man and nothing, not economic hard times or natural disasters can separate him from his mountain home and way of life.

Archie provided a first hand account of how he and many of his family and friends climbed Jonas Ridge on Aug. 13, 1940 to escape the Wilson Creek flood that destroyed Mortimer, NC and nearly destroyed Edgemont.

There are a number of Coffey men named Archie that came out of Avery and Caldwell Counties, but I believe the Archie mentioned in Heafner's work is Archie L. Coffey, born in Wilson Creek Twp on Feb. 25, 1911, died Jan. 25, 1986* in Lenoir. His parents were Augustus F. "Gus" and Betty Beard Coffey. Archie's wife was Buena Adeline Silver, a daughter of David Alonzo "Lonnie" and Rose Zenea Norman Coffey.

You North Carolina Coffey descendants should read this one-page "tour" of the area. Click here, or on the blog title to read.

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* Death Record: Name Archie Coffey Gender Male Burial Date 28 Jan 1986 Burial Place Edgemont, N.C. Death Date 25 Jan 1986 Death Place Lenoir, Caldwell, North Carolina Age 74 Birth Date 23 Feb 1911 Birthplace Avery, N.C. Occupation Postmaster/Owner General [store] Married Spouse's Name Betty Moore Minyard Coffey Father's Name G. F. Coffey Father's Birthplace Mother's Name Betty Beard Coffey Mother's Birthplace Indexing Project (Batch) Number B06346-3 System Origin North Carolina-EASy Source Film Number 1991199 Reference Number v 0B cn 581