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.

Cora Lee Coffey

Who was Cora Lee Coffey who married John McCoy Gragg?

There are two genealogies on Ancestry.com that tell us she was a daughter of Luther Coffey and Mary Crump.  They each report that she was born in NC in 1895 and that she died in May, 1973 at Lenoir in Caldwell Co., NC.

That sounded to me more like Cora E. Gragg, a daughter of Luther Gragg and Mary Crump, born Feb. 7, 1895 in NC, died May 14, 1973 in Lenoir.[1]

Cora married Grover Cleveland Coffey, a son David Columbus and Julia N. Baird Coffey.  He was born in 1893 at Caldwell Co., and died in Avery Co. in 1933.  They were married on Dec. 27, 1910 in Caldwell Co.[2]  The couple settled in the Wilson Creek community of Avery Co. and that is where Grover died in 1933.  He was buried at the New Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery[3] in Gragg, Avery. Co.  Cora was buried at East Hudson Baptist Church Cemetery, located in Hudson, NC just about a half-mile east of Hickory Blvd. on Herman Road.

It is implausible that after Grover died Cora married John McCoy Gragg,  John's wife gave birth to at least four additional children, perhaps five between 1951 and 1959.  In 1951. Cora, Grover's widow would have been 51 years old and likely beyond her child bearing days.

Grover and Cora's children were: Two unnamed infant sons, one born 1912, another in 1913; both died at birth or shortly thereafter; Myrtle Viola, born 1914, died 2003, married Avery Jerome Lyda; Esslene, 1918-1917, married Shelby Delon Gragg and was the informant on her mother's death certificate; Lora A., born 1921, died 1992, married Fred Lewis Mclean; Florence, 1926-1988, married Clyde W. Echard; and Grover, Jr., born 1929.

So, as I opened so shall I close:  Who was Cora Lee Coffey who married John McCoy Gragg?

Jack

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[1]1900 Caldwell Co., Globe Twp., ED 21, Sheet 8A, dwelling 134, family 137, Gragg, Burgess L., head, white male, born Mar. 1868, age 32, married 9 yrs., born NC, parents born NC, farmer; Mary, wife, white female, born Oct. 1877, age 23, mother of 4, 3 living, born NC, parents born NC; Cora E., dau., white female, born Feb.1894, age 6, born NC; William C., son, white male, born Nov. 1896, age 3, born NC; Sanford, son, white male, born Jan. 1899, age 1, born NC; Crump, Sinda, mother, white female, born Apr. 1850, age 50, single, farm laborer
[2] index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F89L-QLW : accessed 25 Jan 2013), Grover Coffey and Cora Gragg, 27 Dec 1910; citing reference , FHL microfilm 590349.
[3]I was told some time ago by the Collettsville Historical Society (when it was still on-line) that this cemetery is also known locally as the Gragg Cemetery, Carys Flat Cemetery and Lowdermilk Cemetery.  It is located in the eastern part of Avery Co. at the mountain crossroads called Gragg.

Daniel & Matilda Setzer Crump

While sitting home today waiting for the Doctor to tell me whether or not I have mumps - which he tells me is rare these days - I was trying to come up with a Coffey-associated family to write about.

What I typically do is scroll about in my family names until I find someone that has a long list of descendants.  When I settle on one name, I then check to see if I have enough facts to properly connect everyone.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't!  Perhaps it did this time.

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Daniel Crump is the earliest of that surname in my file.  He was born c1830 in Caldwell Co., NC and married Matilda Setzer, also born in Caldwell in c1836.  I have not found a death date or place for either, nor have I found a marriage date.  They must have married sometime in early 1850 because their first child was born Jul. 15, 1851.

That child was David who married Mary (or, Mahulda) Jane Clarke on Dec. 29, 1869 in Caldwell Co.  She was born Sep. 10, 1849 in Hudson Twp., Caldwell Co., and died in the Globe on Jan. 23, 1929.  David died on Jan. 5, 1931 in Caldwell Co.  Both are buried in the Globe but I know not exactly where.

The children of David and Mary - as I know them - were: Mary Jane, born Jul. 9, 1872 in Avery Co., died Aug. 11, 1968 in Banner Elk, Avery Co.; Theodore H. "Steve", born Jun. 15, 1881 in Caldwell and died in Lenoir on Jan. 27, 1975.  Theodore married Cansadia [sic] Coffey c1910, the daughter of Rabon Scott and Margaret E. Hollander Coffey; and Martha Etta Destimonia "Dessie" Crump who married (2d wife) David William Coffey, a son of Joseph Reubin and Martha Elizabeth Gragg Coffey.

David William and Dessie were the parents of at least seven children, all but one living to marry and raise their own families.

Jennie Decola, born Dec. 22, 1903, died Apr. 17, 1972, married William Sidney Joplin, born Mar. 7, 1903, died Jun. 28, 1974.  They lived and died in Lenoir.  I do not yet know who their children were.

Joseph Howard, born Mar. 7, 1905, died Oct. 14, 1990, married Florence Oleen Hartley, born Jun. 13, 1910, died Feb. 12, 1994.  They also lived and died in Lenoir.  Florence was the daughter of Granville Monroe and Cora Jane Tester Hartley.

Leonard Gilbert was born Feb. 10, 1907 and died Dec. 8, 1985.  He married Beulah Crump, born Jul. 26, 1919 in Buckingham Co., VA and died Jul. 26, 1998 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co.

Daniel Jerome, born Mar. 19, 1909, died Mar. 20, 1983 in Boone, Watauga Co.  He married Lela L. (LNU), born c1914, died 1990.

Lewis B. is the only known child of David and Dessie no died young.  He was born Dec. 27, 1910 and died Nov. 29, 1913.

Dillard Greene, born Dec. 7, 1912 in Avery Co., and died Aug. 10, 1988.  Dillard married a distant cousin, Nancy Elizabeth Coffey, born Oct. 6, 1919, died 1989.  She was the daughter of William Carlton "Will" and Bessie Mae Townsend Coffey.

Nell Verlene was the last known child of David and Dessie.  She was born c1915 and died Jan. 12, 2010 in Burke Co., NC.  Her husband was Samuel Leroy Beck.

Her obituary:

Obituary, The News-Topic, Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC, Jan. 19, 2010

Nell Beck

Nell Verleen Coffey Beck 94, of Morganton, formerly of Lenoir, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, at Carolina Rehabilitation Center.

Mrs. Beck was born in Avery County to the late David W. Coffey and Martha Dessiemona Crump Coffey. She also was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Leroy Beck; a son, Henry M. Beck Sr.; five brothers, Howard, Dillard, Ivey, Leonard and Jerome Coffey; one sister, Jennie Coffey Joplin.

She was a homemaker and a member of Mountain Grove Baptist Church. Mrs. Beck was also a member of the Eastern Star.

Survivors include two daughters, Nancy Swenson of Colorado and Desta Ureel of Michigan; one daughter-in-law, Joann Beck of Casco Mich. She also is survived by seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mrs. Beck were Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, at 2 p.m. at Pendry's Chapel with the Rev. Randy Gibson officiating the service. Burial followed at Blue Ridge Memorial Park.

The family received friends at Pendry's Funeral Home one hour prior to the service.

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 No. 987

The Other Side of the Source Coin!

Death Certificate for Lillie Ann Coffey Carter
Click to Enlarge

This is a North Carolina death certificate for Lillie Ann Coffey Carter, a daughter of Napoleon Austin Caleb Coffey and his wife Mary Matilda Townsend. Austin, as he appears in the census record and Mary Matilda were married prior to 1882 in NC. Their marriage record has not yet been found.

Their children were Cleveland Napoleon, born in May of 1882; Lillie Ann, born May 3, 1886; Rosa B., born Oct., 1888 and Perry Elmore, born Mar. 25, 1892.

There are several errors of interest to me on this document, and were likely were made by the informant, Mr. M. M. Carter of China Grove, NC.  He was probably Lillie's husband.

First error: Lillie was born in Caldwell Co. per Vol. 12, Page 65 of the Caldwell Co., birth index.

Second error: Her mother was not Ellen Adams.

Third error: Her father's given name is misspelled.

The third error is not that gross. The birth place and mother's name errors, in my opinion, are. Anyone looking for Napoleon and Ellen Coffey in Avery Co. in 1886 will likely not find them there, especially without an 1890 census to help.

I have noticed that several internet genealogies for this family omit Mary Ellen’s surname, and appear to assume that Mary Ellen Adams and Mary Matilda Townsend were the same person; e.g., Mary E. Matilda Townsend.

Austin’s children with Mary Ellen Adams were:

1 - William McKinley, born Feb. 22, 1898, died Oct. 26, 1953 in Crossnore Twp., Avery Co. He married Annie Lee Crump in 1921, Caldwell Co. She was born Nov. 29, 1901 in Caldwell and died Mar. 10, 1994 in Morganton, Burke Co. After William died Annie married his uncle, Wheeler Eden Coffey. Wheeler had been previously married to his second cousin, Mary Emaline Townsend, daughter of Joseph and Rosa Bell Coffey Townsend.

2 – Dollie, born c1903 – no other information

3 – Lona V., born Jun 25, 1910 in Avery Co., married Elbert Clark on Nov. 20, 1928 in Carter Co., TN. Elbert was born Jan. 8, 1907 in Avery Co., and died Jan. 31, 1974 in Crossnore.

4 – Ann, born Apr. 15, 1914, died Sep. 20, 2006 in Mitchell Co., NC. She married a Mr. Eller.


Obituary, Hampton Funeral Service, Sep. 20, 2006

Ann Coffey Eller (April 15, 1914 - September 20, 2006)

Mrs. Ann Coffey Eller, age 92, of Brian Center, in Spruce Pine, died Wednesday morning, September 20, 2006.

Mrs. Eller is survived by one daughter, Nora Gladden of Plumtree, and one grandson, Michael Joseph Decker of New York, New York.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Napolean and Ellen

Adams Coffey, and one son, Zane Edward Clark.

Private graveside services and burial for Mrs. Ann Coffey Eller will be conducted Friday afternoon, September 22, 2006, at 2:00 o'clock at the Calloway Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Avery County Humane Society Shelter, 1824 Stamey Branch Road, Newland, North Carolina.

Silas Milton & Margaret Caroline Philyaw Coffey

Silas was born Jun 16, 1886 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., NC to John Caroll and Nancy Evelyn Hartley Coffey. He died there on Nov. 4, 1961 and was buried in the Globe Baptist Church Cemetery at Lenoir in Caldwell Co., NC.

Margaret Caroline was born in 1889, the daughter of Gideon and Martha Teague Philyaw. She died Sep. 16, 1975 in Caldwell Co. and, although I do not have proof, is likely buried with Silas at Globe.

They were married on Nov. 5, 1905 and the photograph is a record of their 50th Anniversary celebration.

There were at least 10 children born to Silas and Margaret:

Wilma Jessie, born Dec. 5, 1909 in Mortimer Twp., Caldwell Co., and died Feb. 27, 1997 in Caldwell Co. She married Ray L. Cook there in 1930.

Beeler, born Jul. 17, 1911 in Globe Twp., Caldwell Co., and died Mar. 20, 1968 in Whitnel, Caldwell Co. His wife was Lema Lou Green, a daughter of Harlan and Lou Ellen Bolick Greene. They were married in Caldwell Co. in 1932. Lena was born Jan. 16, 1915 in Caldwell Co., and died there on Aug. 3, 2000. They had at least three children: Hazel, born Apr. 25, 1938, died Mar. 11, 2003; Kenneth Walter, born Oct. 14, 1940, died Sep. 26, 2001; and Bealer Wayne, born Jan. 20, 1943, died Jul. 5, 2000.

Lema's obituary:

Lema Lou Greene Coffey, 85, of Congress St., Lenoir, died Thursday, Aug. 3, 2000, at Caldwell County Hospice.

She was born Jan. 16, 1915, in Caldwell County to the late Harlan Greene and Lou Ellen Bolick Greene. she was also preceded in death by her husband, Bealer Coffey; one son, Bealer Wayne Coffey; one daughter, Margaret Ellen Williams; one brother, Claude Greene and one sister, Alma Hartley.

She was a homemaker and a member of Globe Baptist Church.

Survivors include two suns [sic] Kenneth Coffey of Hudson and Larry Coffey of Granite Falls; three daughters, Dare Austin, Doris Bumgarner and Hazel Johnson, all of Granite Falls; 23 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and a number of great-great-grandchildren.

A private service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 962 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

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

Floyd Raymond, born Jul. 19, 1913 in Edgemont Twp., Caldwell Co., died Oct. 9, 1983 in Caldwell Co. He married Eva Frances Ingram who was born Jun. 11, 1915 in Caldwell Co. They had at least one child, a son Charles Author [sic], born Feb. 3, 1934 and died Feb. 10, 2003 in Valdese, Caldwell Co.

His obituary:

Charles Author Coffey, 69, of Lakeview Acres Drive, Valdese, formerly of Lenoir, died Monday, Feb. 10, 2003, at the residence.

He was born Feb. 3, 1934, in Caldwell County to Eva Ingram Coffey of Valdese and the late Floyd Coffey. He was also preceded in death by two sons, Marty Dean Coffey and Danny Michael Coffey.

He was owner of Coffey & Sons Concrete Finishing Co. and was a member of Light House Ministries in Drexel.

Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Dollie Crump Coffey of the home; two sons, Jimmy Richard Coffey of Hildebran and Gary Steve Coffey of Gamewell; a daughter, Donna C. O'Neal of Valdese; a brother, Charles Melton Coffey of George Hildebran; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The funeral is 11 a.m. Thursday at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Mike Ferree, Becky Trammel and Cecil Hamby officiating. Burial will follow at Globe Cemetery.

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

Pallbearers will be Ryan Coffey, Greg Moore, Rob McGee, Shane Marshall, Scott McLeod and Nolan Clark. Bauch Coffey will be an honorary pallbearer.

Horace M., born 1915

Dock Edward, born 1917, died Jul., 1979. He married Nancy Louise Crump, born Aug. 4, 1924 in Avery Co., NC, died Jan. 29, 2003 in Hickory Twp., Catawba Co., NC.

Nancy's obituary:

Nancy Louise Coffey, 78, of 10th Street Blvd., NW, Hickory, formerly of Lenoir, died Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003, at Frye Regional Medical Center.

She was born Aug. 4, 1924, in Avery County to the late Bill and Mary Jane Woodruff Crump. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Doc Edward Coffey; three brothers, Percy, Arnold and Joe Crump, and four sisters, Alma Crump, Nell Wallace, Eva Pearson and Edith Pat Hartley.

She was retired from American Efird Mills and Bernhardt Furniture Industries and was a caregiver. She was a member of Harrisburg Baptist Church.

Survivors include one son, Marshall Edward Coffey of Boone; two daughters, Mrs. Ronald (Linda) Miller of Lenoir and Mrs. Randy (Crystal) Setzer of Morganton; a brother, Jim Crump of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

The funeral is 11 a.m. Saturday at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Ted Williams and Ron Miller officiating. Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery.

The family will receive friends today from 7 until 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home, and other times at the home of her daughter, Linda Miller, 1433 Bass Lane, Lenoir.

Pallbearers will be: Robbie Coffey, Chad Miller, Curt Miller, Buddy Detter, Alan Miller and Tommy Coffey.

Opal Rebecca, born Nov. 3, 1920 in Caldwell Co., died there Oct. 11, 2006. She married John Banks Myers, born Oct. 26, 1915 to Henry Dayton and Rose Dameron Myers. John died Apr. 13, 2005 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. John was a veteran of WWII and is buried at the Union Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Lenoir. Opal is also buried there.

Opal's obituary

Opal Coffey Myers, 85, of Union Grove Road, Lenoir, N.C., passed away on Wednesday, October 11, 2006, at her residence.

Mrs. Myers was a homemaker and a devoted member of Union Grove Baptist Chu-rch for 59 years. She will be remembered especially for her dedication and love to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.

Mrs. Myers was preceded in death by her parents Silas and Maggie P. Coffey; her husband, J. B. Myers; a daughter, Brenda Frances Myers; a grandson, J. B. Myers III; three sisters, Wilma Cook, Edith Robbins and Faye Keller and six brothers, Horace, Doc, Bealer, Clarence, Herman and Floyd Coffey.

Opal is survived by four children, Richard Myers, Pat Myers, Sharon Jenkins and J. B. Myers Jr., all of Lenoir. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Kimberly Robbins and husband Billy, Alison Crawford and husband Jason, Emily Freeman, Addie Tucker and husband Stuart, Cody Myers and Michael W. Jenkins Jr., all of Lenoir; eight great-grandchildren, Taylor, Rhett, Nathaniel, Hannah, J.B., Reagan, Colson and Grayson.

Funeral services will be held at Union Grove Baptist Church on Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 3 p.m. with Reverend Sam Craven and Reverend James Lambert officiating.

The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Michael W. Jenkins, Jr., Cody Myers, Billy Robbins, Stuart Tucker, Jason Crawford, Austen Jud, Johnny Williams and Bobby Robbins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street SW, Lenoir, NC 28645 or to Union Grove Baptist Church, Building Fund, 1808 Union Grove Road, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Herman, born c1921

Edith Evelyn, born in Caldwell Co. on Oct. 15, 1924, and died there on Feb. 5, 2005. She married Ernest Wayne Robbins.

Edith's obituary:

Edith Evelyn Coffey Robbins, 80, of Union Grove Road, Lenoir, died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital.

Robbins was born Oct. 15, 1924, in Caldwell County to the late Silas Milton and Margaret Caroline Philyaw Coffey. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by: six brothers, Dock Coffey, Clarence "Cub" Coffey, Bealer Coffey, Herman Coffey, Horace Coffey and Floyd Coffey; one sister, Wilma Cook, and a granddaughter, Lisa Herman.

Mrs. Robbins was a homemaker. Her family was her life and she was ours.
Survivors include: her husband, Ernest Wayne Robbins, of the home; two sons; Wayne Milton Robbins and wife Gail, and Bobby Robbins and wife Debbie; four daughters, Carolyn Robbins Hicks, Donna Robbins Herman and husband R.L., Cherry Robbins, and Lynn Robbins Roberts and husband Joe; two sisters, Opal Myers and husband J.B., and Faye Keller and husband John; 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Graveside service was 2 p.m., Tues., Feb. 8, 2005, at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Lynn Hawkins officiating. Robbins' eight grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Pendry's Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Lillie Faye, born Apr. 16, 1928 in Caldwell Co., died Sep. 15, 2005 in Hudson, Caldwell Co. She married John J. Keller.

Lillie's obituary:

Lillie Faye Keller, 77, of Hawthorne St., Hudson, died Thursday, September 15, 2005 at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care.

She was born April 16, 1928, in Caldwell County, to the late S. M. Coffey and Maggie Philyaw Coffey. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by a granddaughter, Ginger Webb; a great-grandson, Caleb Webb; six brothers and two sisters.

Mrs. Keller was a Homemaker and of the Baptist Faith.

She is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, John J. Keller of the home; a son, Johnny Williams and wife Shelia of Granite Falls and a sister, Opal Myers of Lenoir.

Graveside service for Mrs. Keller will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2005 at 11 am at Dry Ponds Baptist Church Cemetery with Dr. Rick Crouse officiating. The family will receive friends at the home of Johnny Williams, 22 Valley Street, Granite Falls.

Memorials may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St., NW, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Mackie-High Funeral Home is serving the Keller family.

The last child was Clarence (Cub), born Sep. 13, 1033, died May 18, 1977.

Please contact me at the above e-mail address to add to or to correct any of this information.

Photo courtesy of Margaret Coffey Farley

What a guy!

The following appeared in The News Herald, Morganton, Burke Co., NC, Jul. 15, 2008:

MORGANTON - After a fleeing motorist ditched his car and his mother on the road, he soon ran straight into a police officer's arms.

The one-hour manhunt started Tuesday morning when Trooper Eddie Hobson saw Neil Coffey, 28, of Razor Ridge Road run off the road on U.S. 70 near Bridgewater Road. Coffey turned onto Muddy Creek Road and continued to speed away, so the trooper turned on his lights and began a pursuit.

After reaching speeds of 85 m.p.h., Coffey lost control coming out of a curve and his vehicle stopped on the left shoulder.

With Coffey was his mother, Linda Gunter.

"I told him he was crazy," she told WSOC-9, The News Herald's media partner.

Gunter encouraged Coffey to pull over when his driving became increasingly dangerous.

"You're gonna kill us both," Gunter said she told him. "It ain't worth it."

Having finally stopped, Coffey decided to flee on foot, leaving behind his car and his mother.

This fellow is the son of Roy Paul Coffey, born Apr. 16, 1938, died Feb. 23, 1992. Roy was the son of William McKinley and Annie Lee Crump Coffey.  His mother is named in the article.

Two Coras [Update]

Cora Sadie was Cansadia as contained in the obituary for her son Carl William Crump.



Obituary, The News-Topic, Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC, Jul. 16, 2005

Carl Crump

Carl William Crump, 85, of Hwy 90, Collettsville, N.C. died Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at his residence.

He was born May 10, 1920 in Avery County, N.C. to the late Theadore Crump and Cansadia Coffey Crump. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Roy Crump; six sisters, Edna Whisenant, Analea Whisenant, Louise Philyaw, Minnie Bowen, Mamie Crump and Kate Jolly, and one grandson, Joe Walker.

Mr. Crump was a retired furniture worker, U.S. Army World War II veteran, a member of Maple Grove Baptist Church and loved to hunt and fish.

Survivors include his wife, Ethel Philyaw Crump of the home; three sons, Ralph Crump of Collettsville, N.C. , Roger Crump of Hudson, N.C. and Terry Crump of Lenoir, N.C.; three daughters, Jean Plunk of Hudson, N.C., Frances Walker of Lenoir, N.C. and Shirley Crump of Lenoir, N.C. and a sister, Margaret Phipps of Lenoir, N.C.

Funeral services will be Friday, June 17, 2005 at 2 p.m. at Pendry's Chapel with the Rev. Floyd Coffey, Rev. Brian Gragg and Rev. Boyd Coffey officiating. Burial will be at Greene Family Cemetery.

The family will receive friends today, June 16, 2005 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Pendry's.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Plunk, Gerald Plunk, Norman Crump, Pat Crump, Mike Moore and Jim Whisenant. Honorary pallbearers will be: Cameron Crump, Brian Crump, Scott Walker and Greg Walker.

Memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St. NW, Lenoir, NC 28645 or online condolences may be made at www.pendrysfuneralhome.com.

Pendry's Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Thanks Carolyn!!

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According to birth and death records, Raban Scott and Margaret Hollander Coffey gave the name Cora to two of their daughters; one Cora Sadie and the other Cora L.

Cora Sadie - who some say was nicknamed Candy - was born Oct. 28, 1885 and died Jul. 1, 1942 in the Globe Twp., Caldwell Co., NC She married Theodore H. (Steve) Crump who was born Jun. 15, 1881 in Caldwell Co., and died there on Jan. 27, 1975. He was the son of David and Mahulda Jane Clark Crump.

Cora Sadie and Steve had at least two children. Annie Lee, born Mar. 10, 1917, died Apr. 29, 1999, married Henry Ray Whisenant, who was born Sep. 21, 1914 and died Sep. 8, 1947 in Caldwell Co. The other child was Carl William born May 10, 1920 and died Jan. 14, 2005.

The 1900 Caldwell Co. census of this family lists the child born closest to the date of this Cora as Ella B. K., born Oct., 1884.

The only Cora in the family in 1900 was the following:



This Cora was born Feb. 19, 1895 in Avery Co., NC and died there on Jul. 17, 1962. She married William Roby Baldwin c1911. He was the son of Pinkney F. and Hattie Jane Bristol Baldwin and was born May 3, 1890 in Watauga Co., and died in Avery Co. on Apr. 28, 1970.

Their children were:

Iona Beatrice, born Feb. 7, 1914
Clarence, born c1916
Carlos William, born Feb. 19, 1919
Harrison, born c1921
Virginia Mae, born May 11, 1924, died Feb. 21, 1998
Mal, born c1925
Trixie, born c1926
Herbert Hoover, born c1928