Joel Lawrence Coffey, Jr.

Joel Lawrence Coffey, Jr.

Joel Lawrence Coffey, Jr., was the first son and second child born to Joel Lawrence, Sr. and Myrtle Watson Coffey.

A short bio for Jr. appeared in the Watauga Democrat newspaper on Nov. 11, 2011 and relates a part of his adventures during WW2 in the European Theater of Operations. The item, written by Sherrie Norris tells how he came to earn those medals you see spread before him. His obituary provides a bit more information.

I recognize some of the decorations.  He earned the (l-r) Bronze Star medal with two oak leaf clusters; a Purple Heart for wounds that got him sent back to England for treatment; a Germany Occupation Medal; WWII Victory Medal; a Good Conduct Medal and a European Theater of Operation medal.  I have been unable to identify the  center medal.

Also shown in the photograph is his CBI or  Combat Infantryman's Badge.

Joel descends from Edward Coffey and Ann Powell through their son John and his wife Jane Graves; their son Reuben and wife Sarah Scott; Jesse and wife Peggy Edmisten; their son Reuben and Rachel Hayes; Jesse Calton and wife Nancy Raines; Thos. Carlton and wife Martha Cook and finally, his father, Joel, Sr.

Joel died Nov. 5, 2014 in Boone, Watauga Co., and was buried at Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery at Deep Gap, Watauga Co.

HIS OBITUARY

Obituary, The Watauga Democrat, Boone, NC, Fri., Nov. 7, 2014

Joel L. Coffey, 90, of Deep Gap, passed away Wednesday evening, Nov. 5, 2014, at Watauga Medical Center. 

Joel was born January 13, 1924, in Watauga County, a son of the late Joe L. Coffey and Myrtle Watson Coffey. He was a retired rural mail carrier and a lifetime member, past superintendent, and deacon of Laurel Springs Baptist Church. Joel served in the U.S. Army during World War II, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, and received two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars. He was also a charter member of the Deep Gap Volunteer Fire Department, where he retired as chaplain. 

Joel is survived by his wife, Geraldine "Gerry" Coffey* of the home; one son, Michael Thomas Coffey, Sr. and wife, Mary Alice, of Deep Gap; one daughter, Brenda Coffey Farthing and husband, Len B., of Vilas; one step-daughter, Jane Ragan Pignolet and husband, Mark, of Braselton, Ga.; one granddaughter, Amanda Farthing Huff and husband, Todd, of Deep Gap; two grandsons, Michael T. Coffey, Jr. of Sanford, and Joel Farthing and wife, Nicole, of Vilas; five great-grandchildren, Jackson, Walker, Ella, Colt and Hattie Mae; one step-granddaughter, Amy Ragan Grady and husband, Gary, of Kettering, Ohio, as well as their children, Ragan and Riley. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Gaye Warren Coffey; and three sisters, Louis Cary, Margaret Lane, and Sue Craig. 

Funeral services for Mr. Joel L. Coffey will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at Laurel Springs Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1 until 2 p.m. Officiating will be Pastor Tim Lynch. Military graveside rites and burial, provided by American Legion Post 130 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, will follow in Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends Friday, from 6 until 9 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Service. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Stewart Rhymer, 6596 Old US Hwy 421, Deep Gap, NC, 28618; Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, PO Box 2914, Boone, NC 28607; American Heart Association, 128 South Tryon Street, Suite 1588, Charlotte, NC, 28202; or to a charity of the donors choice. 

Online condolences may be sent to the Coffey family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com. 

Click on this Watauga Democrat link to read his story.

*Geraldine was his second wife.  His first wife was Laura Gaye Warren to whom he was married on Jul. 18, 1949.  Laura died on Dec. 10, 1966 and is also buried at Laurel Springs.

McCaleb & Sarah "Sally" Hayes Coffey

McCaleb was a son of Jesse and Margaret "Peggy" Edmisten Coffey, born c1814 in North Carolina.  He married Sarah "Sally" Hayes about 1838 in probably Watauga Co., NC where they lived and died.

There were two Coffey men named McCaleb and were born just 11 years apart.  The older McCaleb was born in 1803 to Thomas and Sarah Fields Coffey.  As best as I can determine, he was always a resident of Caldwell Co. and served as a Commissioner in that county in 1868.  He and McCaleb, subject of this blog, were first cousins, once removed.  Their common ancestor was John and Jane Graves Coffey, a son of Edward.

McCaleb and Sally Hayes Coffey had four sons, three of which were killed during the Civil War:

Thomas Ninevah Coffey was the eldest, born in 1839.  He was one of the first to volunteer for service in the Confederate army and was with Co. E., 37th NC Infantry Regiment when he was killed at Chancellorsville.

John E. Coffey was the youngest, born in 1844, and also enlisted in the 37th.  He too was killed at Chancellorsville on the same day as his brother Thomas.

Jesse Finley was born c1842 and was the third born to McCaleb and Sally.  He enlisted in what became the 58th NC Infantry Regiment in 1862.  The unit was originally Palmer's Battalion of Partisan Rangers.  They were consolidated in Apr., 1865 with the 60th NC Infantry and became the 58th NC.  According to an article found at Footnote.com, "over 1000 men came from Cumberland Gap...and was assigned to guard Big Creek Cap."  Jesse died there on Mar. 7, 1863 but a cause of death was not given.  He is buried at DeLap Cemetery at La Follette in Campbell Co., TN.

The last son born to McCaleb and Sally was Cornelius Jones Coffey and the only one to live and raise a large family.  He was born on Apr. 22, 1840 served in Co. E, 37th NC Infantry Regiment.  He enlisted on Sep. 18, 1861 and was discharged in July, 1863.

Mar. 1918 Notice of Sale
C. J. Coffey Property

In 1866, Jones married his first cousin, Martha Jane Gragg, the daughter of James Burton and Nancy A. Coffey Gragg.  Nancy was a younger sister of McCaleb.  Martha was born in Caldwell Co. in 1843 and died in Shulls Mill, Watauga Co. in 1900.  Jones died there in 1917 and both are buried at White Springs Cemetery at Blowing Rock.

Jones - as I understand he was called - and Martha Jane had at least nine children; seven sons and two daughters.

Their first was Thomas Herndon Coffey, born 1867, died 1946 in Watauga Co.  His wife was Annie Marilda Pendley [sic], a daughter of William Patterson and Lou Ellen Moore Pendley.  Annie was born in 1873, Caldwell Co., and died at Blowing Rock in Watauga Co. in 1959.  Thomas and Annie were parents of at least two children, Ellen Pendley Coffey (1902-1975) and Thomas, Jr., (1905-1978),  They two are buried at White Springs.

Emma Irene was their second child, born Dec., 1868 and died in Apr., 1947.  She married John Alexander Gragg, a first cousin once removed, in Watauga Co. in 1887.  John was born to Johnson P. and Nancy Jane Cuthbertson Gragg in 1856 and died in 1925 in Watauga Co.  Both are buried at White Springs.  They were parents of at least two children, both daughters:  Mary E., born 1888 and Ila Mae, born 1891.

A third child was Simms Coffey, born c1871.  I received that information from Margaret Farley Coffey (decd), and together we searched for any record of this child without luck.  About the only fact that can be associated with the family is that he was not enumerated in the 1880 census with Jones and Martha.

Elbert, fourth child, was born in 1872 and died in 1900 at Kelsey in Watauga Co.  He Margaret Matilda Simms in 1892 at Watauga Co.  They had one son, John B., born in June, 1891, just a few months prior to Elbert's death.  I do not know where Elbert was buried.  Neither do I know if Margaret Simms remarried.  The family needs further study.

John Finley, born 1877 in Caldwell Co. was next born.  He married Frances C. Holloway, a daughter of Reede and Martha Andrews Holloway, in Watauga Co. in 1894.  I have one child born to them; John Stuart Coffey, born c1906.  John Finley died in Carolina Co., VA in 1953 and Frances in 1956 at Partlow, Spotsylvania Co., VA.  Both are buried at County Line Baptist Church Cemetery at Ruther Glen, Caroline Co.  John Stuart married a lady named Ruth in c1922 and had at least three children:  Edity, Conway and Ruth.

Walter Gwyn was next, born in 1878, probably in Watauga Co., and died there in 1945.  He is buried at White Springs.  He was wed to triple third cousin Julia Hayes, daughter of Wyatt and Mary Jane Coffey Hayes in Watauga Co. in 1896.  They had at least eight children:  William Harston; Lloyd Edgar; McDonald; Roberta; Wyatt; Cecil; Emma and Bulah.  More information on several of these children is available.  Julia was born in Watauga Co. in 1876 and died there in 1955.  She too is buried at White Springs.

Charles Burton was number seven.  He was born in Watauga Co. in 1882 and died in Hickory, Catawba Co. in 1960.  He married Amanda Louise Misemore in about 1916 or 17.  She was born in Tennessee in 1888 and died in Hickory in 1967.  They had at least two children; Wiley Monroe, 19188-1921 and, James Grady, 1922-1941. Charles and Amanda were buried at First Baptist Church Cemetery  in Hudson, Caldwell Co.  Their two sons are buried at Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery, also in Hudson.

We know the next child, Hattie, was born in Sep., 1833 at Watauga Co. and that she married Charles Stocks.  Nothing else is yet. known.

The last child was Rufus Monroe, born 1886 in Watauga Co., died there in 1965.  He married Emma Eliza Robbins in that county in 1906.  She was born in NC in 1886 and died there in 1952. Both are buried at White Springs.  Their children were Mabel, Howard, Helen, Edward, and Rhonda.  More information about the children and their descendants is available.

A letter to the editor appeared on page 2, column 2 of the Watauga Democrat of Thursday, March 14, 1895.  It was written by A. W. Beach [several Coffey ladies in Caldwell Co. had Beach husbands.  I do not know who A. W. was] discusses McCaleb's family.  In it he [presumed male] writes that he went to live with "uncle" Caleb and "aunt" Sally at the age of nine years in 1863.  He named their sons as Thomas N., Finley, John, and Jones.  Three sons were already deceased when he arrived and Jones was at home, disabled by a wound to a foot.  He thought that one of the sons had been brought back from the battle field and laid to rest somewhere along the Blue Ridge but, did not name the son nor a specific spot where the burial occurred.

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A double third cousin to Jesse and his brothers was Elbert Coffey, a son of William Coffey, Jr. and his wife Margaret Robbins.  Elbert was born at Buffalo Cove in Watauga Co., NC in 1837 and died "of disease" on May 15, 1863 at Big Creek Gap.  He too is buried at De Lap.

Odell Cletus & Thelma Edna Coffey Deal

Sylvannas Deal, born Nov. 1, 1832, died Jul. 30, 1899 in Burke Co., NC and his wife, Mary J., maiden name unknown, were the parents of Nathaniel T. "Nathan" Deal, born in Aug., 1862.

Nathan married Mary Elvira Shell on Mar. 27, 1884 in Lovelady Twp., Caldwell Co..  Mary was the daughter of John Tipton and Martha Bisanar [sic] Shell and, was born Aug. 22, 1867 in Caldwell Co., died May 14, 1953 in Hickory, Catawba Co., NC.

Odell Cletus Deal

Among their six known children was Odell Cletus, born Jun. 2, 1904 in Catawba Co., and who died there on Jan. 6, 1989.  Odell married first to Constance Eliza Chester in NC, c1929.  I know of one child, Robert Bernett, born Feb. 16, 1929 in Catawba Co.  Constance died on Aug. 19, 1957 in Hickory, Catawba Co. and was buried at Catawba Memorial Park on Aug. 21.

Odell then married Thelma Edna Coffey in 1959.  There were no known [to me] children.

Thelma was the daughter of William Leon and Marion Edna Norris Coffey.  She was born on Feb. 28, 1915 in Watauga Co to Millard Harrison and Ida Delrea Davis Norris.  She died on May 26, 1995 in Hickory and was also buried at Catawba Memorial Park.  Odell died on Jan. 6, 1989 in Catawba and is believed to also be buried at Catawba Memorial Park.

Dale Cloyd Norris

Anna Bell Coffey Norris

Two of Millard and Ida's children also married Coffey women. Lyman Paul Norris, born Jan., 1900, married Addie Lee Coffey, a daughter of Daniel Carlton "Dell" and Mary Jane Bodenhamer Coffey.   Dale Cloyd Norris, born Jan., 1910, married Anna Belle Coffey, sister to Addie Lee. Ida Delrea Davis was the daughter of Harvey Alexander and Mary Hodges Davis.  Millard was a son of Isaac and Amanda Spencer Norris.

Thelma was the second to oldest of the at least nine children born to William and Marion.  William was a son of William Luther and Mary Salome Moretz Coffey.  William Luther was a son of Jesse Calton and Nancy A. Raines Coffey.  Jesse Calton was a son of Reuben and Rachel Hayes Coffey.  Reuben was a son of Jesse and Margaret Edmisten Coffey.  Jesse was a son of Reuben and Sarah Scott Coffey.  Reuben's parents were John and Jane Graves Coffey.  John was a son of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey.*

Sylvannas Deal is buried at Abees Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery in Valdese, NC

Mary Elvira Shell Deal is buried at St. Lukes Lutheran Church Cemetery in Hickory, NC

William Leon and Marion Edna Norris Coffey; Millard Harrison and Ida Delrea Davis Norris; Daniel and Mary Jane Bodenhamer Coffey; andHarvey and Mary Hodges Davis are all buried at the Old Mount Pleasant-Bethany Lutheran Cemetery in Boone, NC.

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More on these families is available on "The Edward Coffey Project" DVD or, through limited request.
Photos of Dale and Anna Bell Norris appeared with their obituaries

George Holland & Samantha Ann Ridgeway Coffey

George was born in July, 1841 to Cleveland and Malinda Coffey Coffey.  Malinda and Cleveland were second cousins, he a son of Jesse and Margaret Edmisten Coffey; Malinda a daughter of George and Margaret Rucker Coffey.

It appears that George was married at least twice, perhaps three times.  He was found in Washington Co., VA in 1870 with wife Rebecca A. V., born c1844 in that state.  There were two children in the home:  John F. M., born c1868 and Charles S., born c1874.  Both were born in TN.

Samantha Ridgeway Coffey

The 1880 census for Richwoods, Sharp Co., AR finds him with wife Samantha Ann Ridgeway.  Samantha was born in Aug., 1851, Henry Co., TN and died in 1943, Lawrence Co., AR.  She is buried at Walnut Ridge in Campbell Twp., Lawrence Co.  Her headstone provides us with only birth and death year.

In addition to George H. and Samantha A. Coffee [sic], in the household at the time of the census was: John F. Coffee, age 11, born TN; Charles F. Coffee, age 6, born TN; Cora D., age 3, born MO, and Millie L. A., age 1, also born in MO.  Thomas Hardy, a third child born to George and Samantha was born Feb. 25, 1881 in MO.

I have seen some genealogies that give Thomas the middle name of Harry. However, his WW1 draft registration, which he completed on Sep. 12, 1918 in Kansas City, Jackson Co., MO, was signed by him as Thomas Hardy Coffey.

There are a few genealogies available that list the child Flora R., born in 1876 to George and a wife named Rebecca Bowman.  If she was the child of George Holland Coffey she must have been born from circumstances we are not familiar with, because George was still living with Samantha in 1880, Sharp Co., AR and there is not a child named Flora in the household.

Another - or perhaps the same - George H. Coffey in Lawrence Co., AR married Sarah E. Barnett.  They were in the 1900 Portia, Lawrence Co. census; George born Jul., 1840 and Sarah born Aug., 1860 in MO.  Their children were Myrtle, born c1897 and Jesse Dewey, born c1898.  Also in the household was Eula Barnett, enumerated as a step-daughter.

I have no idea when George Holland died.  Samantha lived until 1943 when she died and was buried at Walnut Ridge.  In 1920 and 1930 she resided with her daughter Willie, who married Lewis E. Watkins in 1903.

Did George and Samantha divorce?

Lane-Coffey Headstone

Samantha's oldest child by George Holland Coffey was Cora Duffle Coffey, born Jan. 14, 1878 in MO, died Nov. 2, 1946 in Walnut Ridge.   Cora married William R. Lane on Dec. 31, 1895 in Lawrence Co., AR.  He was born Aug. 18, 1863 in Lawrence Co. and died there on Aug. 12, 1925.  Both he and Cora are buried at Walnut Ridge in the Lawrence Memorial Park Cemetery.  Her headstone reads Duffle C. Lane.

Willie Lea Ann was her second child, born c1879 in MO.  She married Watkins on Dec. 29, 1903 and their children were:  Alma Pauline, born c1906 in MO; William P., born c1912 in AR; Jessie R., a daughter, born c1914 in AR and Bonnie Kathlene, born c1919 in AR.

Samantha's last know child was Thomas - mentioned above.  His first wife was Carrie Belle Lafferty who he probably married c1900 in MO.  He has been difficult to find in census records.

With Carrie, Thomas fathered at least four children:  Mabel, born Oct. 15, 1902 in MO, died Sep. 23, 1979 in Lake City, Columbia Co., FL; Manuella, born Jul. 5, 1904 in TX, died Jan.11, 1970 in Kansas City, MO; Glenn, born c1906 in TX; and Marguerite, born Mar 6, 1908 in MO.

Thomas was married second to Mary Anita Singleton, or Templeton.  They were married on July 30, 1915 in Jackson Co., MO.  He died on Jan. 23, 1952 in Santa Clara Co., CA.

The marriage license application for Thomas and Mary reads in part, "desiring to procure a license to marry Mrs. Maria Templeton of Walnut Ridge, County of Lawrence, and State of Arkansas...," and the license was signed by "Marrie Templeton."  However, typewritten in the top left margin of the license is "Cor. Name by Aff. B 50964 Book B 4530-Page 605-Apr 7-52."  She was a "Mrs." as given in the application, so perhaps her maiden name was Singleton.

The only census record that I have thus far found for Thomas was the 1910 Fishing River Twp, Clay Co., MO record of his family with Carrie.

Please contact me if you have info to share on this family.

Jesse Calton & Julia Elizabeth Hollifield Coffey

Jesse Calton was born Mar. 27, 1867 at Coffey's Gap in Watauga Co., NC to George Washington "Wash" and Matilda "Tilda" Coffey Coffey.  Wash was the son of William Clayton and Sarah Greene Coffey while Tilda was the daughter of Jesse Calton and Nancy A. Raines Coffey.  William was uncle to Jesse, their common ancestor being Jesse and Margaret Edmisten Coffey.

Julia Hollifield was born Mar. 31, 1873 in Watauga Co. and died Jul. 11, 1957 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co.  She and Jesse were married May 7, 1892 in Watauga Co.  Her parents were Wiley and Mary Ann "Annie" Reid Hollifield.  Another daughter, Flora Ellen Hollifield married Reuben Finley Coffey on Dec. 14, 1893 in Caldwell Co.

Jesse and Julia were parents of at least nine children:

George Wiley, born Mar. 20, 1890, died Jan. 25, 1948 in Wilkes Co.  He married Ida Belle Norman on Apr. 11, 1912 and they were parents of at least nine children.  Ida was born in 1886 in Lenoir and died there in 1974.

Charles Alexander "Charlie" was born Jul. 2, 1894 in Caldwell Co., and died May 17, 1966 in Lenoir.  He married Julia Evelyn Knight on Sep. 4, 1915 in Watauga Co.  Julia was born Sep. 13, 1896 and died Jan. 21, 1981.  They were also parents of at least nine children.

Annie, born Feb. 16, 1896, died Jul. 4, 1976. No other information.

Thomas Leroy "Tom", born Oct. 13, 1898, died Feb. 11, 1974 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co.  Tom married Alice Sanders on Jul 19, 1919 in Watauga Co.  She was the daughter of Eve and Emma Sumlin Sanders of Caldwell Co.  Alice died Feb. 24, 1962 in Blowing Rock.  They were also parents of at least nine children.

Ella, born Feb. 22, 1901, died Jul. 15, 1983 in Morganton, Burke Co., NC.  Ella married a Mr. Smith.  No other information.

Rev. Harley Clint, born Jul. 11, 1903 in Upton, Caldwell Co., died Mar. 5, 1972 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., NC.  He married twice, first to Dovie "Texie" Bolick on May 8, 1927 in Watauga Co., and second to Myrtle Thelma Andrews on Nov. 20, 1930 in Winston-Salem.  I know of only one child, a daughter Claudine, born to his union with Myrtle.  Texie died of dysentery after a little over a year of marriage, on Jun. 16, 1928.  Myrtle, a daughter of William M. and Manarky Victoria Shook Andrews died Nov. 13, 1979 in Valdese, Burke Co., NC.

Pearl Nevada, born Feb. 8, 1906, died Feb. 25, 1993.  She married first James Samuel Day on Apr. 22, 1923 in Watauga Co.  James, a son of James Mordichi and Annie Marie Reid Day, was born Aug. 5, 1899 in Watauga Co. and died there on Mar. 13, 1956.  She later married James' brother Spencer who died in Caldwell Co. in 1965.  Pearl died Feb. 25, 1993.

William Glenn, born Apr. 11, 1909, died Feb. 24, 1977 in Alexander Co., NC.  He married Annie Rivers "Nannie" Coffey, a daughter of Jesse Cleveland and Eliza Loudermelt Coffey.  Nannie was born Jan. 1, 1910 in Avery Co., NC and died Apr. 15, 1952 in Boone, Watauga Co.  I know of one child, Jerry Guy Coffey, born Sep. 12, 1933, died Jan. 25, 1998.  Jesse Cleveland and Jesse Calton were first cousins.

Bertha Vienna, born Sep. 2, 1912, died Jan. 14, 1970 in Blowing Rock.  She was the second wife of Adren Reece Moody, born Dec. 6, 1909 in Watauga Co., died Sep. 12, 1968 in Blowing Rock.  Adren was the son of Arthur C. and Rota Marticia Estes Moody.  He and Bertha were the parents of at least two children:  Teresa Geraldine, born May 7, 1932, died Jan. 8, 1994 and Catherine Elizabeth, born May 7, 1935, died Jan. 23, 1993.  Adren's first wife was Edna Porter with whom he had at least one child, Louise born Nov. 15, 1928.

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

John Reuben and Malida Narcissa "Sis" Coffey Hayes

Just browsing my Ed Coffey Project files this morning and stumbled upon this family.  Reuben and "Sis" had at least 12 children, all born between 1876 and 1899, and from Tennessee to Missouri.

One of the children that I was digging around for was Agnes, born Jan. 12, 1895.   She was the tenth of the twelve.  Depending on which census record you believe, she was either born  in Arkansas or Missouri.  She died Jul. 10, 1978 in Snohomish Co., WA. 

Agnes married Andrew Jackson Franks, born Jan. 31, 1885 in Arkansas.  I have not found a marriage date for them, but they probably wed around 1915 or so.  As best as I can determine, they had only one child, Geraldine R., born c1918 in Washington state, and died there in 2007.  According to one report that I found, she was married to a Mr. Tackett.

Andrew registered for the draft in Everett, Snohomish Co. on Sep. 12, 1918.  At that time he described himself as having a slender build and of medium height.  He had blue eyes and black hair.  Andrew was employed as a laborer by the Wearhouser [sic] [Weyerhauser] mill in Everett.  He and Agnes resided at 3121 Broadway in that town.  In the 1920 and 1930 census records they were still residing in Snohomish Co.  In 1930 Andrew as a hod carrier* for a plaster company.

John Reuben Hayes was the son of Harmon and Martha Long Hayes.  "Sis" was the daughter of William Wesley and Gelina E. Shouse Coffey.  The Coffey line goes back to Edward through Cleveland and his wife Susan Hayes; Jesse and Margaret Edmisten Coffey;  Reuben and Sally Scott Coffey; John and Jane Graves Coffey.

Please leave a comment, or e-mail me with any corrections or additions.

*Most readers will know what a Hod is but, for those who don't, it is a three sided box used to haul bricks and/or mortar to bricklayers.  If Andrew worked for a company applying plaster he would likely have carried that material in a hod box.  A hod carrier is usually referred to as a "hoddie."  The term may be somewhat obsolete today.

Joseph Harrison and Carrie Elizabeth Coffey Wellborn

Joseph Harrison Wellborn was born Mar. 3, 1873 in Wilkes Co., NC to F.D. and Mary M. Wellborn.  The 1880 census locates F.D. and Mary in Lewis Fork Twp., Wilkes Co. with two Wellborn children and three Tulbert [or, Tolbert] step-children.

Carrie Elizabeth Coffey was born Aug. 14, 1877 in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co., NC to Thomas and Rachel M. Coffey Coffey.  Thomas was a son of William Coffey, Jr., and Margaret Robbins; Rachel was a daughter of McCaleb Coffey and Elizabeth Collett.  William was a nephew as well as a first cousin once removed to McCaleb.

Caldwell Co. marriage book 11, page 245 records the union of Carrie and Joseph in that place in 1896.  According to the 1900 Patterson Twp. Caldwell Co. census, Carrie was mother to three children, two of which had died in infancy.  Their first child to reach adulthood was Jennie Beatrice, born May 11, 1900.

In 1910, the family was found in Chase, Mecklenburg Co., VA where Joseph was farming.  However, by 1917 Joseph was confined to Long's Sanitorium in Statesville, Iredell Co., NC where according to his death certificate he died from cirhosis of the liver on Oct. 11, 1917.  He was buried on Oct 13, 1917 in Patterson Twp.  The death certificate is not specific on burial location.

Carrie remained a widow in Patterson Twp. for the rest of her life, and died there from uremia on Mar. 22, 1951.  She is buried at Harpers Chapel Cemetery in Patterson.  Joseph is likely buried there as well.

Their children were:

Jennie Beatrice, born May 11, 1900, died Dec. 30, 1978 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co.  She married Thomas Hamilton (Hamp) Robbins in that county in 1920.  Thomas was a son of Thomas Clingman and Sarah Curtis Robbins.  He was born on Oct. 17, 1888 in Caldwell Co., and died Mar. 5, 1965 in Lower Creek, Caldwell Co.  Thomas is buried at Harpers Chapel and, Jennie is also presumed to be buried there.  They had at least four children:  Mary Gwendolyn, born Sep. 7, 1920; Thomas Hamilton, born Sep. 11, 1922; George Welborn, born Aug. 17, 1924, died Nov. 21, 2004; and Robert Joseph, born Dec. 5, 1926.

Carl Coffey, born Aug, 6, 1902 in Wilkes Co., died May 15, 1986 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co.  He married Lula Bell Hamby in Caldwell Co. in 1921.  She was born Oct. 18, 1898 in NC and died Dec. 8, 1933 in Lenoir.  Lula is buried at Harpers Chapel, and Carl is probably buried there as well.  Their five known children were:  Clyde Colene, born Oct. 6, 1921; Mildred Marie, born 1923; Joseph Henry, born 1924, died 1997; Earl Russell, born Apr. 3, 1928, died Jun. 22, 1994; and a daughter who was stillborn on Mar. 31, 1932.  Death of the child was attributed to hydrocephalus and spina bifida.

Alma M., born c1904

Annie L., born c1906

Robert Louis, born Dec. 11, 1908, died Dec. 29, 1990.  It is unknown whether or not he married and fathered children.

Carrie was the sixth child.  She was born Sep. 13, 1910 and died Feb. 28, 1985.  She married Hugh Hardin Edmisten, a son of Newton and Alice Holshouser Edmisten.  Hugh was born Aug. 19, 1905 in Watauga Co., and died in Lenoir on Aug. 16, 1963.  Hugh is buried at Belleview Cemetery in Lenoir, and Carrie is also thought to have been buried there.

Joseph Dale, born Mar. 14, 1913

Blanche Gertrude, born Nov. 19, 1914, died Mar. 8, 2004.  Blanche first married William Lee Martin, a son of Roby Sherrill and Ivalee Crisp Martin.  He was born on Dec. 23, 1913 in NC and died in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., on Aug. 4, 1966.  He is buried in Wilson Memorial Park in Caldwell Co.  Carrie's second husband was H.C. (Bud) Andrews for whom I have no information.  It appears that Blanche did not have children by either husband, but I am not sure of that.  She is also buried at Wilson Memorial Park.

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

Joseph Harrison and Carrie Elizabeth Coffey Wellborn

Joseph Harrison Wellborn was born c1873 in North Carolina and died there before 1920. He married Carrie Elizabeth Coffey in Caldwell County, NC in 1896 [Marriage Book 11, Page 245]. Carrie was the daughter of Thomas, a son of William Coffey and Margaret Robbins. Carrie's mother was Rachel M. Coffey, the daughter of McCaleb Coffey and Elizabeth Collett.

Carrie was born Aug. 14, 1877 in Caldwell Co., and died in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co. on Mar. 22, 1951.  She is buried at Harper's Chapel Cemetery in Patterson.  An accurate birth and death date for Joseph has not been found.

Children of Joseph and Carrie were:

Jennie Beatrice, born May 11, 1900, died Dec. 30, 1978. Jennie married Thomas Hamilton (Hamp) Robbins in Caldwell Co., NC in 1920. Thomas was born Oct. 17, 1888 [death certificate], a son of Thomas Clingman and Sarah Curtis Robbins. He died Mar. 5, 1965 in Lower Creek, Caldwell Co. [Death Certificate]. Their children were Mary Gwendolyn, born Sep. 7, 1920 [NC Birth Index Book 7, Page 621], died Dec. 14, 1977; Thomas Hamilton, born Sep. 11, 1922; George Welborn, born Aug. 17, 1924, died Nov. 21, 2004; and Robert Joseph, born Dec. 5, 1926.

Carl Coffey, born Aug. 6, 1902 in Wilkes Co., died May 15, 1986 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. He was married in 1921 to Lula Belle Hamby, born Oct. 18, 1898 in NC, died Dec. 8, 1933 in Lenoir. Their children were Clyde Colene, born Oct. 6, 1921; Mildred Marie, born 1923; Joseph Henry, born 1924, died 1997; Earl Russell, born Apr. 3, 1928, died Jun. 22, 1994; and an unnamed child, born and died in 1932.

Alma L., born c1906

Robert Louis, born Dec. 11, 1908, died Dec. 29, 1990

Carrie, born Sep. 13, 1910, died Feb. 28, 1985. She married Hugh Hardin Edmisten, born Aug. 19, 1905 in Watauga Co., NC, died Aug. 16, 1963 in Lenoir. He was a son of Newton Edmiston and Alice Holshouser.

Joseph Dale, born May 14, 1913

Blanche Gertrude, born Nov. 19, 1914, died Mar. 8, 2004. Blanche married first William Lee Martin, born Dec. 23, 1913, died Aug. 4, 1966 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., NC. He was a son of Roby Sherrill and Ivalee Crisp Martin. Blanche was married second to H. C. (Bud) Andrews for whom I have no information. Blanche is buried in Wilson Memorial Park in Caldwell Co.

Obituary, The News Topic, Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC

Blanch Andrews

Blanch Gerturde Wellborn Martin Andrews, 89, of Blowing Rock Blvd., Lenoir, died Monday, March 8, 2004, at Lenoir Healthcare Center.

She was born Nov. 19, 1914 in Caldwell County to the late Joseph and Carrie E. Coffey Wellborn. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, William Lee Martin; her second husband, (Bud) H.C. Andrews; three brothers and three sisters.

Mrs. Andrews was a homemaker was a member of Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church.

Survivors include three sons, Williams S. Martin, Jack O. Martin and Charles A. Martin all of Lenoir; a daughter, Mrs. Ivolee Martin McCall of Valdese; 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel conducted by the Rev. Joe Parker and the Rev. Lynn Hawkins. Interment will follow in J.H. Wilson Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Serving as pallbearers will be: Jason Martin, Charles Martin, Jr., Jamie McCall, Travis Coffey, Tom Haus and Joel Coffey. Honorary pallbearers will be: Donovan Moose, Lee Moose and Will Haus.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, NC 28645; or to Mt. Olivet united Methodist Church, 2032 Mulberry Creek Road, Lenoir NC 28645; or to Wellborn Historical Society, 2400 Mourgea Avenue, High Meadow Apt. 4E, Valdese, NC 28690.

Please send additions or corrections to me at the above e-mail address.

James Blaine & Dartha Jane Coffey Phillips

Dartha Jane Coffey was the eighth child and third of four daughters born to Henry Kelly (Caleb) and Sarah Jane Gragg Coffey. She was born Jan. 29, 1898 in Mulberry, Caldwell Co., NC, and died in Boone, Watauga Co., NC on May 21, 1931. She married James Blaine Phillips on Jun. 15, 1912 in Watauga Co. James was born Mar. 16, 1893 in Wilkes Co., and died May 21, 1954 in Caldwell Co. He was a brother to Zora Phillips, wife of Ellis Empsey Coffey, brother to Dartha.

There were 10 children born to the union of James and Dartha:

Vercie Rosetta, no information

Vesta Ivalee, born Apr. 22, 1916, died May 5, 2006. Vesta married Walter Ranzy Woodring on Jun. 10, 1934 in Watauga Co. Walter was born Mar. 7, 1892 in Watauga Co., and died there on Nov. 3, 1995. They had at least seven children: Edna Louise, two unnamed daughters, Henry Clay, Geneva Belle, Betty Jewel and Kathy Lea. Walter was the son of Henry B. and Martha Angeline Miller Woodring.

Gladys Viola, born Oct. 22, 1919, married Thomas Lee Ellis, born Nov. 25, 1918. There was at least one child, Billy Lee Ellis, born Jul. 16, 1941. Thomas was the son of Jesse and Carrie Mott Ellis.

Ellis, no information

James Glen, born Apr. 8, 1921, died Dec. 5, 1988

Charles Arthur, born Apr. 30, 1923

Mary Elizabeth, born May 23, 1925

William Blaine (Judd), born Apr. 17, 1927, died Dec. 31, 1995. He married Bertha Loretta Coffey on Jan. 1, 1949 in Watauga Co. She was the daughter of William Glenn and Nannie B. Coffey Coffey. William was a son of Jesse Calton and Julia E. Hollifield Coffey while Nannie was a daughter of Jesse Cleveland and Eliza Loudermilt Coffey. William and Bertha had at least three children: Virginia Loretta, born Oct. 8, 1949; Nona Marie, born Sep. 12, 1950, and Dorothy Annie, born Jan. 5, 1953.

Alma Jean, no information

Stella Rhea, no information

Henry Kelly Coffey was married twice more after the death of Sarah Jane. His second wife was Emma Stanberry who he married in Caldwell County in 1906. There was at least one son born to this marriage: Aaron Roosevelt, born Oct. 25, 1907, died Aug. 29, 1951. Aaron married Nellie Bell Critcher c1928 and fathered at least five children: Nellie Louise, born Mar. 22, 1929, James Gray, born Nov. 1, 1931, Ethel Mae, born Mar. 19, 1933, Emilie Lee, born Sep. 29, 1937, and Barbara Lennis, born Dec. 20, 1941.

Henry's third wife was Roberta Ellen Edmisten with whom he had at least one child, Kyda (Kitie), born Feb. 14, 1911, died Aug. 1, 1978. Following Henry's 1911 death Roberta married William Leander Robbins, a son of James and Elizabeth Coffey Robbins. William had previously married Hannah Elizabeth (Lizzie) McGuire on Mar. 8, 1896 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co. Elizabeth Coffey's parents were William, Jr. and Margaret Robbins Coffey.

Links to previous blogs on the Henry Kelly Coffey family:

http://coffeycousins.blogspot.com/2006/06/henry-kelly-caleb-and-sarah-jane-gragg.html

http://coffeycousins.blogspot.com/2006/06/henry-kelly-caleb-coffey-addendum.html

http://coffeycousins.blogspot.com/2006/02/beeler-ester-and-sallie-elizabeth.html

Marion Oliver & Lydia Ruth Edmisten Coffey

Marion Oliver was the twelth of thirteen children born to Thomas Carlton and Martha Ellen Cook Coffey.

Thomas was a son of Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey, and was born Jan. 1, 1853 in North Carolina. He died in Watauga Co. on Dec. 17, 1915. Martha was the daughter of Thomas D. and Mary Elrod Cook, and was born Jul. 3, 1858 in Watauga Co. She died there on Mar. 25, 1939.

Marion Oliver was born Dec. 15, 1896 in North Carolina and died in Boone, Watauga Co. on Nov. 29, 1995.

His obituary:

Marion Oliver Coffey, 98, of Route 4, Boone, died Wednesday, Nov. 29, 1995, at Glenstone Health Care Center.

He was born Dec. 15, 1896, in Watauga County to the late Thomas and Ellen Cook Coffey. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Lyda Edmisten Coffey; four children; one granddaughter, Martha Fox; and a great-grandson, Matthew Higgins.

Coffey was a retired farmer and a member of Laurel Fork Baptist Church.

Survivors include one son, Bill Coffey of Quaker Hill, Conn.; three daughters, Mrs. E. B. (Eula Mae) Fox and Mrs. David (Nancy) Haas of Boone and Mrs. Stanley (Geneva) Hall of Hudson; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The funeral is Saturday at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Dean Coffey and Dr. Lamar King officiating. Burial will be in the Edmisten Cemetery.

The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at the funeral home in Boone.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Project on Aging or to Meals on Wheels, 783 West King St., Boone, N.C 28607

He married Lydia Ruth Edmisten on Dec. 30, 1917 in Watauga Co. and raised their family there. They appear in the census record for that county for 1920 and 1930. Both are buried in the Edmisten Cemetery at Perkinsville, Watauga Co.

They were the parents of at least eight children:

One child, a son, was born Jun. 16, 1919 and was apparently still born.

William Ray, born May 27, 1920, died Nov. 10, 1996. William married Amanda Hortense Wood, a daughter of Walter Raleigh Wood. She was born in Ashe Co. in 1920. It is believed that Amanda is still living somewhere in North Carolina.+ Their children were: Wanda, William, Jr., Sharon, Debra and Sheila.

His obituary:

William Ray "Bill" Coffey Sr., 76, of Quaker Hill, Conn., formerly of Watauga County, died Sunday, Nov. 10, 1996, at the residence.

He was born May 27, 1920, in Blowing Rock to the late Marion Oliver and Lyda Ruth Edmisten Coffey.

Mr. Coffey was a retired employee of Electric Boat as a sheet metal trade worker. He was a member of the Electric Boat Athletic Club Baseball League.

Survivors include his wife, Hortense Amanda Wood Coffey of the home; one son, William Ray Coffey Jr., of Ledyard, Conn.; four daughters, Mrs. Frank (Wanda) Reid of Hudson, Mrs. Don (Sharon) Beck of Waterford, Conn., Mrs. Joe (Debra) Paskwich of New London, Conn. and Mrs. Bill (Sheila) Muscella of Lebanon, Conn.; three sisters, Mrs. E. B. (Eula Mae) Fox and Mrs. David (Nancy) Haas, both of Boone, and Mrs. Stanley (Geneva) Hall of Hudson; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

The funeral is Friday at 11 a.m. at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel in Boone with the Rev. Joe Paskwich officiating. Burial will be in the Coffey Family Cemetery, George Hayes Road, Boone.

The family will receive friends Friday from 10 until 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

+According to Bill Muscella, Amanda's son-in-law, she has lived in Quaker Hill, CT for some time. This update from an e-mail to me dated 8/13/2016.


John Robert, born Aug. 12, 1922

Marion Audra, born Oct. 6, 1924

Sadie Ruth, born Mar. 4, 1926

Eula May, born May 4, 1929. She married Everett Burton Fox, Jr., son of Everett and Texie Creola Adams. Everett, Jr. was born Mar. 15, 1927 in Watauga Co., and died there on Jun. 18, 2003. Their children were: Martha, Everette III, Charles and George. Eula May is thought to still be living somewhere in North Carolina.

Geneva Fay, born Sep. 17, 1931 in Watauga Co, married Stanley Hall on Mar. 21, 1953 in Watauga co. I do not have any additional family information.

Nancy Ellen, born May 16, 1934, married David Perry Haas. They had at least two children: David Bryan and Timothy Oliver.

Additions/Corrections can be submitted using the e-mail address below.