Henry Columbus & Ruth Annie Carter Coffey

Henry was born in North Carolina on Oct. 23, 1903 to Thomas Franklin and Mary Kathryn Lingafelt Coffey.  He died in Hickory, Catawba Co. on Jul. 18, 1949 and was buried at Pinecrest Cemetery in Granite Falls, Caldwell Co.

Ruth Annie was a daughter of Robert Alexander "Bob" and Mary Martha "Mollie" Cooper Carter.  She was born Dec. 3, 1904 in Caldwell Co., and died in Granite Falls on Dec. 9, 1994.  Ruth is likely buried at Pinecrest as well, but I have not found any evidence.

Bob Carter was born Jul. 26, 1882 in Watauga Co., NC and died Jan. 27, 1958 in Granite Falls.  Mollie was born in North Carolina on Sep. 11, 1886 and died in Granite Falls on May 9, 1918.  Her death certificate reveals only that she was buried at Granite Falls.  On Nov. 1, 1919 Bob married Carrie Mae Hayes, born Aug. 16, 1882 in NC, died May 18, 1972 at Kenansville in Duplin Co., NC and was buried in Warsaw, Duplin Co. at Devotional Gardens.  Her parents were J. Robert and Caroline Neal Hayes.

Henry and Ruth were married on Jul. 2, 1921* in Lovelady Twp., Caldwell Co. and were the parents of at least eight children:

Annie May, born Mar., 1922 in Caldwell Co., died on Jan. 4, 2009 in Seattle, King Co., WA.  Her husband was Kenneth Jefferson Holverstoot, born Oct. 5, 1924 in OR, died in Seattle on Oct. 6, 1982.  He and Annie were married in King Co. on Apr. 29, 1950.**

Lois, born 1923 in Caldwell Co.  No further information.

Van, born 1927 in Caldwell Co.  No further information.

Marylyn Coffey Franklin Obituary Photo

Marilyn Miller, born Jun. 30, 1928 in Caldwell Co., died Aug. 23, 2011 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co.  Her husband was George Jennings Franklin, born Jul. 16, 1924 in NC, died May 28, 1984 in Statesville, Iredell Co., NC.

Obituary, Mackie-High Funeral Home,  On-line , Aug., 2011

Marilyn Miller Coffey Franklin
Hudson – Mrs. Marilyn Coffey Franklin, 83, of Hudson, NC, went home to be with our Lord, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at Caldwell County Hospice and Palliative Care of Lenoir.

Mrs. Franklin was born June 30, 1928 in Caldwell County, N.C. to the late Henry C, Coffey and Ruth Carter Coffey.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, George Jennings. Franklin, a sister, Mae Holverstott, of Seattle, Washington, two brothers; Harold Coffey of Granite Falls and Bill Coffey of Rutherford College. She is survived by four sons; George A. Franklin and his wife Becky Newton, NC, Richard Franklin and his wife Aileen from Raleigh, NC, Audie Franklin and his wife Judy from Statesville, NC, and Fabian Franklin of Hudson, NC. Four daughters; Diane Carswell and her husband Gene of Valdese, NC, Kay Geouge and her husband Dennis of Lenoir, NC, Doris Sigmon and Gale Franklin, both from Lenoir, NC. Two brothers; Gary Coffey of Rhodhiss and Van Coffey of Alexander County. Two sisters; Lois Coffey of Burke County and Frances Underwood of Davie County. In addition to her children, she is survived by 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
The funeral service will be held Friday, August 26, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Mackie High Chapel, with the Rev. Mike Isaacs officiating. Burial will follow at Center Grove Baptist Church in Hudson, NC. The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 25, 2011 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Mackie High Chapel.

Serving as pallbearers will be Cody Conner, Damon Hood, Jeff Carswell, and Marty Mooney.

The Family would like to thank Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care of Lenoir, NC Nurses and Staff for all the love and care for our family through this difficult time. A special thanks to Kelly Mitchell, BSW.
Mackie-High Funeral Home is serving the family.

Harold Thomas, born Dec. 5, 1929, died Mar. 23, 2001 at Valdese in Burke Co.  Harold never married.

Gary Cooper, born 1934 in Caldwell Co., married Jeanetta J. Garnett.

Frances Irene, born 1937 in Caldwell Co.  No further information.

Billy Joe, born Mar. 2, 1940 at Granite Falls, died May 2, 2010 in Valdese.

VALDESE - Mr. Billy Joe Coffey, 70, of Rutherford College, died Sunday, May 2, 2010, at Burke Hospice and Palliative Care Center, Valdese, after a period of declining health.

Mr. Coffey was born March 2, 1940, in Granite Falls, a son of the late Henry and Ruth Carter Coffey. He was a faithful member of Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church. Bill was famous for his cooking chicken pie, barbecue and fish fries. He loved his family; to garden and share his vegetables with his friends and family; to fish and his time at the beach; and especially to make people laugh. Bill retired from General Electric in Hickory and worked part time for 17 years as a cook at Valdese General Hospital. After retirement, he worked part-time at Westpoint Stevens in Hickory.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Harold Coffey; and a sister, Mae Holverstott.

Surviving are his wife of more than 48 years, Lillian Rutherford Coffey of the home; a daughter, Kellie Coffey Clay of Morganton; two sons, Neal Coffey and wife, Holly, of the George Hildebrand community and Mark Coffey and wife, Angela, of Morganton; brothers, Gary Coffey and wife, Joan, of Rhodhiss, Van Coffey and wife, Ginger, of Taylorsville; sisters, Frances Underwood of Mocksville, Lois Coffey of Valdese and Marilyn Franklin of Hudson. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Jordan and Bryant Clay, Whitney, Zachary and Mason Coffey, Sydney Coffey; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A service of remembrance will be held at 5 p.m. Monday, May 10, 2010, at Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Sally Queen officiating. The family will receive friends from 3:30 until 5 p.m. Monday at Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to ACE & TJ's Grin Kids, P.O. Box 37192, Charlotte, N.C. 28237; or Wrights Pantry in care of Abernethy Memorial UMC, P.O. Box 127, Rutherford College N.C. 28671; or Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, N.C. 28690 An online guest book and obituary notice are available at www.heritagefuneralservice.com. Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory is assisting the Coffey family.

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*North Carolina County Marriages, 1759-1979 , digital images, FamilySearch.Org (www.familysearch.org).
**"All Record Series." Transcription. Washington Secretary of State, Washington State Digital Archives. http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/ : 2010.

Aaron & Susan Chrisman Barrier

Aaron and Susan of Wayne Co., KY had at least three children that eventually married into the Coffey family of that county.

The first was Richard, born Dec. 17, 1822, died Oct. 4, 1907 in Wayne Co.  Richard married Permelia Ann Loveall on Nov. 4, 1842.  Permelia was born May 7, 1826 in Wayne Co., and died there on Mar. 17, 1889.  Their daughter, Sarah Margaret Barrier was born Jan. 14, 1844 and died in Oil Valley, Wayne Co. on Dec. 2, 1932.

Sarah married James Nelson Coffey, a son of Nelson N. and Keziah "Kizzie" Watters Coffey.  James was born Mar. 23, 1835, perhaps in Eadsville, Wayne Co.  He died Feb. 20, 1915 in Oil Valley.  He and Sarah were married on May 9, 1861.  Both are buried at the Ingram Cemetery in Monticello, Wayne Co.

Sarah gave birth to at least 12 children:

Jane, born 1862, died 1927 in Wayne Co.,  Married Emerson Lafayette Foster on Jan. 15, 1885.  He was born May 11, 1863, died Apr. 21, 1937.  They too are buried at Ingram Cemetery.

Nelson C., born 1864, died 1934.  He married Sarah Emerine Worley, daughter of Willis and Rachel Jones Worley.  She was born Jan. 4, 1867 and died Oct. 10, 1957.  Both are buried at Ingram.  Children were: Rachel, Emmerine, James Nelson, Albert, Wilbern, Alice, Sarah Margaret and Kizzie Elizabeth.

Richard, born Apr., 1865, died Mar. 12, 1958.  He married Roseanna Foster c1889 in KY.  She was born in Aug., 1866 and died May 27, 1958 in Wayne Co.  Their children were Thomas, Martha L., Bertie, and Oliver.

Next in 1866 was Keziah.  No further information.

Amelia, born Mar. 15, 1868, died Jan. 24, 1943.  She apparently died unmarried and is buried at Ingram.

Henderson, born Oct., 1870, died Jan. 31, 1960.  He married Margaret Coffey, a daughter of Richard Henderson and Catherine C. Jones Coffey on Feb. 27, 1902.  Margaret was born Nov. 6, 1870 and died on Nov. 9, 1946.  They are also buried at Ingram.  Their children were Ida, Garnett, Walter, Lexie and Everett.

Pruda, born Mar. 15, 1873, died Jan. 14, 1965 in Monticello.  She married Calvin Koger, son of John and Elizabeth Gregory Koger on Apr. 7, 1898.  Both are buried at Ingram.  Children were Elbert G., Indie, Mack (?), Edgar and Fronia.

Adinna, born Jan. 24, 1876, married Cooper Burnett on Dec. 30, 1903.  No further information.

Mary Melvina, born Jun. 22, 1878, died Nov. 18, 1947, married John D. Cooper on Jan. 11, 1900 in Wayne Co.  John is buried at Ingram.  Best info I have on Mary is that she was buried at Oil Valley.  Children were Stella P. and Wilfred F.

Nancy, born Mar., 4 1881. No further information.

Burl, born Jan. 14, 1884, died May 15, 1971.  He married Camely Steele on Mar. 7, 1903.  She was the daughter of John M. and Eliza Steele and was born Dec., 1884.  Both are buried at Elk Spring Cemetery in Monticello.  Children were Mabel, Earnie, Oscar, Mayme, Mary Jane, Leslie, Frederic, Woodroe, Dortha, and Shoff G.

The last child was Susanna who married John Messer.  No further information.

Another of Aaron and Susan's children was Rachael, born c1824.  She married John Coffey, a son of James and Sarah Emerline Sumpter Coffey on Jan. 28, 1848 in Wayne Co.  Their children were Sarah Jane, Elizabeth, Shelby "Shelly," James A., Joseph and Francis M.

The third of Aaron and Susan's children to figure into the Coffey families of Wayne Co. was Elizabeth, born c1830.  She married Josiah Dodson c1850 in Wayne Co.  Their daughter Susan Ann, born Apr., 1855, married Leander T. Denney c1880.  Leander was born to Cyrus and Betsey Littrell Denney on Jan. 2, 1857 in Wayne Co.  He and Susan had several children including Lottie Susan Denney who married Albert Coffey.

Albert was another son of Nelson and Sarah Emerine Worley Coffey.  He was born Apr. 7, 1891 in Wayne Co. and died on Nov. 13, 1966 in Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH.  Lottie was born Nov. 11, 1893 and died in Cincinnati on May 7, 1969.  Their children were Earl Edison, Roy Lee, Clarence Nelson, James C., Ruby, James O'Dell, Wendell Albert, Susie O., Milus (?) E., Sarah Doris, Wallace Ernest and Ann M.

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I have some descendants of most of their children and, of course, their ancestors.  Drop me a note to add to or correct any of this information.

Note:  I have seen references to Ingram Cemetery as Ingram-Coffey and Ingram-Vickery-Goddard Cemetery.  It is located about 5 miles SE of Monticello on the Ingram Coffey Cemetery Road.  A map link is included below.

Jackson Lafayette Coffey

Jackson Lafayette Coffey

Jackson was a son of Alfred Alphonso and Julia Ann Dawkins Coffey and was born on Jan. 28, 1865 in TN and died Nov. 24, 1946 in Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.  Apparently, sometime in his life he was a policeman as seen in this photograph, credited to Madlyn Dill Simkulet.  Madlyn is very likely a descendant of Jackson's daughter, Clara who married Orand Edwil Dill.  It appears - if colors are accurate - that Jackson was a red-headed Coffey.

Ellie Horton Coffey

Jackson married Ella Mahle "Ellie" Horton c1886.  Ellie was the daughter of W. A. and Annie Gibson Horton, and was born Jan. 30, 1868 in GA and died on Dec. 22, 1956 in Corsicana.  Both are buried at the Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery in Retreat, Navarro Co.  This photo of Ellie was also credit to Simkulet.

The 1900 census found the couple in Marion Co., TN.  By 1904 they were in Texas.  The following census they were in Navarro Co. and in 1920 in Henderson Co., TX.  In 1930 they were back in Navarro where they continued to live until death claimed them both.

I recently received the following e-mail from John Thompson, a great-grandson of Jackson and Ellie:

Good morning Jack. My name is John Thompson. I am Lillie Coffee Covington"s grandson. 'Ella' Coffee was my great grandmother. She was my mother's grandmother. We knew her as Ellie. That's what my mother and grandmother called her.

I read, with interest, your information and I have to say I am impressed by the work that you have put into the site. I was looking for information about Lillie's parents when I ran across your site.  Very good job!

Thank you for the excellent information.

I knew Ellie. She lived with my grandmother for the last several years of her life. In fact my grandfather James, 'Jim', Covington built a room on their little house in Corsicana for her. Since we lived in Corsicana and were at my grandmother's house every day, I remember Ellie very well. She was a sweet and kind woman. I can remember playing in her room and under her bed as a little boy. I was born in 1950 so I was around her until I was six.

Ellie was a strong Christian woman with a rock solid faith in her Lord and God. She passed this down to us. My whole family is now saved and serving God in various capacities because of this woman. I want you to know that she changed the course of my brother's and my life by her prayers for us as babies and little children. She was a great woman. I thought you would enjoy knowing some firsthand information about Ellie's later years. She was full of life and was healthy until the very end of her days. She passed her longevity on to her daughter. My grandmother Lillie lived to be 98 and was also healthy until the very end.

Well, I trust that this is a blessing to you. Keep up the good work.  And again, thank you so much for this excellent site. I will be passing the site information to my family.

Sincerely, John Thompson

There were at least 10 children born to Jackson and Ellie:

Clara, born Dec. 17, 1884 in TN, died Sep. 6, 1956 in Houston, Harris Co., TX.  Clara was the wife of Orand Edwin Dill to whom she was married c1902.  Orand was born Jun. 22, 1875 in TX and died May 11, 1951 in Terrell, Kaufman Co., TX.  He is buried at Dresden in Navarro Co. while Clara is at Forest Park in Houston.  They were parents of at least five:  Duna Winnifred, James Shannon, Lee Roy, Norma Geline and Orand, Jr.

The second child was Charles Clifton, born Dec., 1887.  No further information.

George Clinton "Clint" was next, born Dec 1, 1889 in Chattanooga, Hamilton Co., TN, died May 12, 1965 in Corsicana.  Clint married Ella Mae Covington on Dec. 28, 1913 in Jester, Navarro Co.  She was born Mar. 6, 1889 in GA to Elias Haskell and Mary M. Martin Covington and was a sister to James Alexander "Jim" Covington that married George's sister, Lillie Mae and to John Elias Covington who married Tennie Pearl Hunt.  Ella Mae died Jun. 22, 1983 in Corsicana.  She and Clint are buried at Hamilton-Beeman.

Their children were at least six in number:

Beauford Clinton Coffey

Beauford Clinton, born 1917 in Navarro Co., died 1982 in Montgomery Co., PA.  Beauford married a lady by the name of Miriam and were parents of at least two children, Wayne and Bryan.  He was a veteran of WW2, having enlisted in the US Army on Mar. 12, 1942 at Camp Walters, Palo Pinto Co., TX.

Margaret Ellen, born 1919 in Jester, married Charles Willie Cooper, born 1918, died 2002 at Corsicana.

Gracie Fay, born 1922 at Purdon in Navarro Co., married Joe Pierce Woodard.  He was born in 1918 and died in Fort Worth on Feb. 26, 1979.  He is buried at Hamilton-Beeman.

Alfred G. Coffey

Alfred G., born 1925 in Purdon, died Nov. 3, 1967 at San Angelo in Tom Green Co., TX.  He married Helen Emily Hinrich and was the father of at least three:  Beverly Kay, Emily Lisa and Alfred, Jr.  He was also married a second time to a lady named Reba but I have no information about her or possible children.  Alfred is buried at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens in San Angelo.  He was also a veteran of WW2.  He enlisted into the US Army in Dallas on Jun. 23, 1943.

The next child born to Clint and Ellie was Oneida Mae "Johnnie," born Nov. 10, 1926 in Wood Co., TX, died Nov. 3, 1999 in Garland, Dallas Co., TX.  Johnnie married Charlie Lee Bascam Caskey on Feb. 9, 1946 in Corsicana.  Charlie was born in 1917 in Dawson, Navarro Co., and died Dec. 5, 1998 in Garland.  Both are buried at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas.  They had at least one son, John Carl, born 1955, died 1997.

The last child of Clint and Ellie was Betty Jo, born Feb. 10, 1931 in Corbet, Navarro Co., died Nov. 13, 1985 in Dallas.  She married Willie Pete Thompson, born Jan. 31, 1930, died Dec. 25, 1983 in Dallas.  Both are buried at Hamilton-Beeman.

Corrections and additions are welcomed.

More on this family to follow.

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My appreciation to Madlyn Dill Simkulet for making the photographs available and, to John Thompson for his kind remarks.  Clicking on The Farm to Mkt Road link below will show the location of the Beeman-Hamilton cemetery.

Lorenzo Dow

A friend, after reading my blog about Bailey Eliphalet Chaney, wrote to me about the eccentric preacher Lorenzo Dow who labored in the continental wilds shortly after the Revolutionary War.  Lorenzo Dow  lived from 1777-1834.  At one time his autobiography was second only to the Bible in sales.   According to Wikipedia, Lorenzo was one of the most popular names in America in the 1850 census.

Looking through my Edward Coffey Project files, I found only one Coffey with given name of Lorenzo Dow.  This Lorenzo was a son of William Wiley and Mailnda Emeline Little Coffey, born Sep. 12, 1852 in Indiana.  He married Martha J. Wilson, born Oct. 28, 1854 in Gentry Co., and died May 13, 1938 in Stanberry, Gentry Co.  Lorenzo died on Mar. 20, 1920 in Cooper Twp., Gentry Co. 

Martha was the daughter of Sidney and Mary Cooper Wilson.  She and Lorenzo are both buried in the High Ridge Cemetery at Stanberry.

There is another Lorenzo Coffey in my file, but I do not have a middle name for him.  He was born in 1832 in North Carolina, a son of Larkin and Catherine H. Wilson Coffey.  He married Eliza Corder and had at least two children; Wayland and Nora.

Lorenzo Dow Carr, born c1832 in Virginia, married a lady by the name of Margaret who produced at least three sons, one named Alexander D. Carr, born Feb., 1861.  He married Alice E. Coffey on Apr. 17, 1884 in Nelson Co., VA.  Alice was the daughter of Joseph C., Jr. and Nancy Jane Coffey Coffey.

Then, there's Langston Lorenzo Estes, a son of Elijah and Zebiah Walker Wentworth Estes.  Langston was born in Nov., 1839 in North Carolina.  Langston received his name - at least the Langston part - from his grandfather, Langston Estes who married Mary "Polly" Moore.  The only reason these Estes families are in my file is because of a marriage between Lance Estes, a son of Reuben and Delphia Atkins Estes and Elizabeth Coffey c1803 in North Carolina.  Elizabeth was the daughter of James Coffey, Jr., and Mary "Mollie" Moore.

Lorenzo does not seem to be a popular name in a population of nearly 4000 Coffey men in my file, plus a few thousand other male given names in colateral lines.

The Estes and Moore families, along with the Coffeys were some of the earliest settlers in the Globe Valley of western North Carolina, in the shadow of Grandfather Mountain.