Charles William Coffey (1913-1955)

While working with Brad Jackson of Weldon, NC, a major mistake was discovered in most if not all previous issues of the Edward Coffey Project.

The error has been corrected and as the facts were explained.

As I understand the facts, they are:

Charles Mozer "Charlie" Coffey and Ethel Hill Deal had a son named Charles William Coffey, born 1913 in Caldwell Co., NC.

There were two children born in Caldwell, one year apart, and was given the same name.  The incorrect one was listed as the son of Charles and Ethel.

Their actual son was Charles William Coffey, born 23 Aug 1913 in Edgemont, Caldwell Co., and died in Hickory, Catawba Co., NC in 1955. He married twice.  First wife was Mabel Lee Parks, born 1918 and daughter of Joseph Polk Parks and Adeline Gurley.

She and Charles were married 10 Apr 1939 in Henry Co., VA and produced one child, a daughter, Mary Helen Coffey, born 20 Nov. 1939 in Rowan Co., NC.

They divorced sometime later and he married Ethel Olive Edwards. Children are not yet known.

Ethel was the daughter of David and Minnie Henson Edwards and was born 28 Oct., 1923 in Swain Co., NC. They are said to have produced several children, perhaps five, before Charles William died on 5 Mar 1955. He is buried at the now seemingly abandoned Philadelphia Lutheran (old) Cemetery at Granite Falls in Caldwell Co.  His Find A Grave (FAG) memorial is 194083408 and was recently added there by me.

After his death, Ethel married Augustus Lewis Crater, date unknown, and he is said to have adopted the Coffey children and given the Crater surname.

Augustus died 28 Mar 1975 in Hickory, Catawba Co., NC and Ethel subsequently married for a third time, this time to Fred Lewis Gurley, Sr. Fred died 7 Dec., 1993 in Statesville, Iredell Co., NC and was buried at Abilene Church of Christ Cemetery in Statesville.

Ethel died 30 Nov. 1991 in Hickory at the Catawba Memorial Park.  According to her death certificate no. 050967 death was caused by "persistent sepsis and myelogenous leukemia."  Her remains were cremated at the Bass-Smith Crematory in Hickory. Disposition of ashes are unknown to me.

Her obituary as provided by Brad:

Ethel Gurley

Ethel Edwards [Coffey] Crater Gurley, 68, of Rt. 1, Marvin Street, Claremont, died Nov. 30, 1991 at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville after a period of declining health.

Born Oct. 27, 1923 in Swain County, she was the daughter of the late David and Minnie Henson Edwards.

She was a retired employee of Hickory Chair and a member of the Fifth Creek Presbyterian Church in Statesville.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Charles William Coffey; and her second husband, Augustus Lewis Crater in 1975.

Surviving are her husband, Fred L. Gurley, Sr.; three sons, [children believed to have been those fathered by Charles William Coffey] Charles "Rick" Crater of Newton, David Crater of Vale and Steve Crater of Columbia, S.C.; two daughters, Terry Withers of Newton, and Nancy Hoffman of Conover; three brothers, Frank Edwards of Canton, Tom Edwards of Asheville, and Jack Edwards of Swannanoa; two sisters, Mary Wilhide of Swannanoa, and Jessie Pruett of Chattanooga, Tenn.; three step-daughters; two stepsons; and 12 grand-children.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. today at Fifth Creek Presbyterian Church in Statesville.  The Rev. W. C. Cockman and Rev. John Milholland will officiate.

The family will receive friends following the graveside service.

Memorials may be made to the Leukemia Society of America, 5624 Executive Drive, Suite 100, Charlotte, N. C. 28212.

Drum Funeral Home in Conover is in charge of arrangements.

The mistaken Charles William Coffey was the son of George Wesley and Lula Jane Barlow Coffey, born 8 Jun 1914 in Caldwell Co.  He died 31 Jul 1993 and was buried at Kings Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Lenoir, NC.  His wives were Virginia Pearl Kirby and Cynthia Lou Back.

Please contact me if there are additional errors.