Cornelius & Ailsy Elizabeth Greenfield Coffey

Betty Greenfield Coffey

Cornelius Coffey

Cornelius Coffey was the fifth child of at least 11 born to William Coffey, Jr. and his wife Margaret Robbins.  William, Jr. was a native of Yadkin Valley, born May 5, 1812 in that part of Wilkes Co., NC that later became part of Caldwell Co.  Margaret was born c1816 in North Carolina, the exact area is unknown.  He died May 8, 1893 in Buffalo Twp., Caldwell Co..  Margaret preceded him in death on Apr 26,1882.

Obituary, Lenoir Topic, Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC, May 28, 1893

To the Editor of the Lenoir Topic:  Died at his home on Buffalo, in Caldwell county, May the 8th, 1893, William Coffey, aged 81 years and 8 days.  His wife, Margaret, also departed this life April 26th, 1882, in the 66th year of her age.  The Lord blessed them with a family of twelve children of which seven remain to mourn their loss.  Brother and Sister Coffey joined the Baptist church in 1847; was soon ordained in the office of Deacon and Deaconess, which office they executed well.  They both lived consistent Christian lives.  We were present at the funeral of Sister Coffey, and remember hearing Brother Coffey express his desire to be asleep in Jesus with his companion.  Since that time his greatest delight has been in the worship and service of the house of the Lord, often expressing a strong desire to be freed from the temptations and perplexities of this, and after an illness of about 6 months he fell asleep in the full triumphs of faith and was gathered to his loved ones that had gone before.  Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.  M.C. and J.H.J.

 Cornelius was born Jul. 27, 1844 at Buffalo Creek in Wilkes Co. and died Jun. 2, 1906 in Morganton, Burke Co.  He was enumerated as a a patient at the Broughton State Hospital in Morganton in 1900.  He is buried in the cemetery on the hospital grounds, his grave marked by a simple funeral home marker.  I have not yet found his wife's final resting place.

He married Ailsy Elizabeth "Betty" Greenfield on Feb. 20, 1868 in Caldwell Co.  She was born Sep. 7, 1850 and died Jun. 11, 1928, presumably in North Carolina.

Their children, all born in Caldwell Co., were:

William Larkin, born Jun. 19, 1870, died Jan. 5, 1953 in Granite Falls, Caldwell Co.  His wife was Alice Selma Setzer, daughter of Paul and Jemina Simmons Setzer, and was born Sep. 9, 1865 in NC, died Aug. 22, 1941 in Granite Falls.  Both are buried there at Pinecrest Cemetery.  Their children were Charles Mozer; Fannie C.; Claude Augustus; Ada M.; Walter Victor; Garland Cecil; Ethel; and Lucy Jane.

Elbert Finley, born Mar. 1, 1872, died Apr. 29, 1959 in Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC.  His wife was Mary Louise Lentz, born Jul. 19, 1903 in NC, died Dec. 25, 1990 in Salisbury.  Elbert is buried at Westlawn Memorial Park in China Grove, Rowan Co.  Mary Louise is probably there as well but, I have found no record of that.  Their children were at least two:  Jack Nolan and Robert J. "Bob" Coffey.

Martha Louisa, born c1874.  Her spouse was Roy Abernathy.  No other information on either.  Their children were also at least two:  Collis Odell and Julia.

John Oliver, born c1876, died May 19, 1947 in Hinesville, Liberty Co., GA.  His wife was Eva Broce, born Jan. 4, 1881 in Bristol, Sullivan Co., TN, died Jan. 20, 1946 in Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH.  After John's death, Eva married Berch E. Scott of Highland Co., OK.  He was born Aug. 12, 1872 and died in Cincinnati on Aug. 4, 1943.  Both are buried at Vine Street Cemetery in Cincinnati.  John's children with Eva were:  Bruce, born c1899 in TN; Ethel, born c1902 in TN; Fred Howard, born c1905 in TN and Edna Lucille, born c1907 in NC.

Mary Etta, born Jun. 10, 1878, died Apr. 24, 1952 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co.  She married on Aug. 25, 1900 in Watauga Co. to Larkin Solomon Presnell, born Feb. 10, 1870 in Watauga Co., NC to James H. and Rebecca Green Presnell.  Larkin died Jun. 24, 1941 in Caldwell Co.  He is buried at Howell Cemetery in Vilas, Watauga Co. while Mary Etta rests at Blue Ridge Memorial Park in Lenoir.  Their children were also at least two:  Clarence Haskel, born 1901 and Roy Lee, born 1903, both in Watauga Co.

Annie Elizabeth, born Aug. 22, 1881, died Sep. 14, 1946 in Lenoir.  She married Aug. 25, 1901 in Yadkin Valley, Caldwell Co., to Jesse Steele Johnson, a son of James Harvel and Zelphia Almida Sloan Johnson.  Jesse was born Jan. 24, 1881 in NC and died Sep. 12, 1965 in Lenoir.  They are buried at Belleview Cemetery in Lenoir.  They were also parents of at least two children:  Nellie Clyde, born 1903 and Lewis Albert.

The last child was George T., born Jul., 1883, married Jul. 27, 1902 to Nellie Taylor in Burke Co., NC.  I have only one child for them:  Billie, a daughter, born May 28, 1908 in Lenoir.

---

Photos of Cornelius and Betty courtesy of Donna Schultz

Garland Olando & Frances Elizabeth Coffey Green

Frances Coffey Green

Frances was the third child of John William and Frances Little Coffey. She was born Jul. 4, 1904 in Raleigh, Wake Co., NC and died in Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC on Sep. 19, 1979. Her husband was Garland Olando Green, Jr., a son of Garland, Sr. and his wife Nellie W. Bynum. He was born Apr. 21, 1901 in Stedman, Cumberland Co., NC and died on Dec. 6, 1963 in Raleigh. He and Frances were married on Nov. 5, 1927 in Raleigh.

I know of one child, Frances Nell Green, born May 18, 1933 in Raleigh, died Oct. 3, 2003 in Matthews, Mecklenburg Co. Frances married Herbert Basil Magill, born 1930 in Stanly Co., NC, on Aug. 21, 1957 in Raleigh. Frances is buried at Matthews in Mecklenburg Co.

---

Obituary, The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC), December 1963

Garland O. Green, 62, of 3127 Banbury Rd., died Friday at Rex Hospital. He recently had suffered a heart attack. Mr. Green was commercial sales representative for Carolina Power & Light Co. He was a member of the board of managers of the Illumination Engineering Society, a member of Edenton Street Methodist Church where he served several terms on the official board, and was also a 32nd degree Mason. Surviving are his wife, the former Frances Coffey; a daughter, Mrs. H.B. Magill of Charlotte; his mother, Mrs. Nellie B. Rives of Raleigh, and three grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. today at Edenton Street Methodist Church. The Rev. Marvin Vick and the Rev. Kimsey King will officiate and burial will be in Montlawn with Masonic rites.

---

Obituary, The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC), 21 September 1997

CHARLOTTE--Mrs. Frances Coffey Green, 93, of Charlotte, died Friday, September 19, 1997 at Sardis Nursing Home.  A graveside service will be held at Montlawn Cemetery in Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday, September 25, 1997, at 11 a.m.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 7-8 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home, Charlotte, N.C.

Mrs. Green, a native of Wake County, N.C., was a graduate of Raleigh High School and NCCW College, which is now UNCG.  As a member of Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh, Mrs. Green was active in United Methodist Women.

Survivors include her daughter, Mrs. Fran G. Magill of Charlotte; nephews, John N. Coffey Jr. of Raleigh, and Thomas G. Coffey of Naples, Fla.; a niece, Linda Young of Raleigh; two grandsons; four great-grandchildren; and several great nieces and nephews.  Mrs. Green was predeceased by her husband, Garland O. Green.

Memorials may be made to Edenton Street United Methodist Church, 228 W. Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27603.

Arrangements are by Wilson Funeral Service.

---

Photo and obituaries courtesy John Coffey of Raleigh

John William & Frances Elizabeth Little Coffey

John Wm. Coffey

Fannie Little

John William was the second child and first son born to Elijah and Mary Ann Nelson Coffey.  He was born in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co., NC on Jun. 18, 1869 and died June. 11, 1960 in Raleigh, Wake Co., NC.  He married on Dec. 14, 1898 in Raleigh Frances Elizabeth "Fannie" Little.  Fannie was born Mar. 7, 1878 in Concord, Cabarrus Co., NC and died in Raleigh on Nov. 30, 1967.  They lived out their lives in Wake Co., and are buried at Montlawn Memorial Park in Raleigh.

---

John and Fannie were the parents of three girls and one boy.  Natalie Little Coffey was their first born, Sep. 25, 1899, died Sep. 22, 1996.

Obituary, The News & Observer, Raleigh, NC, 24 September 1996

Natalie Little Coffey

RALEIGH--Natalie Little Coffey, died Sunday at age 96 at Mayview Convalescent Center.  She was born in Raleigh on September 25, 1899, the eldest child of John William Coffey and Frances Elizabeth Little. She attended public schools in this city, graduating from Raleigh High School in 1916.  She afterwards attended the North Carolina College for Women at Greensboro, graduating with an A.B. degree in 1920, and a M.A. in 1929.  Her affection for her alma mater was constant throughout her life, and for many years, she served as president of her class.

Education was her calling.  Miss Coffey was one of Raleigh's legendary teachers, honored and beloved by generations of students who cherished her as a counselor and friend.  She began her career in Rocky Mount where she taught for two years.  Returning to Raleigh, she served as an instructor in English and Spanish at Raleigh High School for two years, Hugh Morson High School for 30 years, and Broughton High School for 10 years.  She retired in 1965 after 44 years of service.  Her love and concern for her students extended far beyond the classroom.  Driving a little blue-and-black coupe, affectionately nicknamed the "Coffey Can," she would cheerfully ferry as many as seventeen kids to football games, plays, and concerts.  During the World War II she even coached the Hugh Morson golf team to a state championship.

For much of her life she lived in Boylan Heights with her parents.  In retirement she devoted herself to her family, especially to the children for whom she was their adored "Nannie."  She was a lifelong and devoted member of Edenton Street Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, John N. Coffey, and her sister, Mary Lou C. Miller.

She is survived by a sister, Frances C. Green of Charlotte; two nephews, John N. Coffey Jr. of Raleigh, and Thomas G. Coffey of Naples, Florida; two nieces, Mrs. Herbert B. Magill of Charlotte, and Linda M. Young of Cary; and 11 grandnieces and grandnephews.

A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 25, in Montlawn Memorial Park.

 Other children to follow.

---

Photos and obituary courtesy of John Coffey of Raleigh

Spottswood Dandridge & Martha Jane Whiteside Gilbert

I find Spottswood most often referred to by his initials S. D. or, as Dandridge.  He did appear in some census records as Spottswood.  He was born Apr. 15, 1841 in Amherst Co., VA and married Martha Jane Whiteside there on Nov. 5, 1863.  Martha was born Nov. 18, 1841, probably in Amherst Co., and died there on Dec. 10, 1891.  Both are buried at Oronoco, Amherst Co. in the Church of the Brethren Cemetery.

There were at least 11 children born to their union, three of which married into the Jordan Coffey* family.  All of their children were born in Amherst Co.

The first child I have for them is Pency, born Jan. 12, 1865, died Mar. 31, 1893 in Amherst Co.  She married Edward Jackson Henson on Jul. 11, 1886 and had at least five children in the seven years before she died.  She is also buried at Oronoco.

Nancy was next, born c1867.  No further information.

Ginetta, born c1868, married C. M. Bradley on Oct. 29, 1896 in Amherst Co.  No further information.

Charles Dandridge, the fourth child and first son, was born Oct. 10, 1869 and died Jan. 31, 1954 in Amherst Co.  He married Lutie Virginia Coffey on Oct. 16, 1895 in Amherst Co.  I know of one child; Gracie M., born Jul. 1898.  Lutie was the daughter of John Jack Coffey, Jr. and, his wife Patricia F. "Patra" Tyler.  John Jack, Sr. was a son of Jordan and Elizabeth Rippetoe Coffey of "Coffeytown" in Amherst Co.

Mary Jane was born Feb. 20, 1871 and died Nov. 18, 1914.  She married Edmund F. "Ned" Coffey on Jun. 16, 1894 in Amherst Co.  Ned was a son of James and Sophia Coffey Coffey.  James was a son of William "Billy" Coffey and his wife Sally Crawford.  Billy was also a son of Jordan and Elizabeth.  Sophia was a daughter of Schylar Coffey**, another son of Jordan and his wife Betsey Hamilton.

Lucy Catherine was born in Sep., 1872 and married Leslie Austin Robertson, a son of James A. and Mary D. Robertson on Jun. 1, 1898 in Amherst Co.  They had at least one child, a daughter Mary E., born May, 1899 in Nelson Co., VA.

Willis, the second son, was born May, 1874 and married Bessie M. Inge on May 25, 1903 in Buena Vista, VA.  No further information.

The next two children, also sons, were Henry, born Jul., 1876 and Eddie, born c1878.  No further information.

Ruth Davis was child number 10, born Sep., 1879.  "Ruthie" married William Luther Green on Jan. 13, 1904 in Rockbridge Co., VA.  No further information.

Bertha Lillian was the last child and was the third to marry a Coffey.  She was born c1886 and married Irvin C. Coffey, born Sep., 1878 in Amherst Co.  He was the son of William Henry "Cripple Henry" Coffey and his wife, Virginia F. "Jenny" Lawman.  William Henry was a son of John Jack, Sr. and his wife Betsey Duff.

I continue to work on this family as time allows.  Drop an e-mail or add a comment to amend any of this information.

---

Update:  Something didn't look right so I went back over census records for this family:

1870 children: Pensie, age 6; Nancy, age 4; and Harry, 8 mos.

1880 children: Pencie, age 14; Nancy, age 13; Genetta, age 12; Charles, age 11; Marie (Mary), age 10; Lucie, age 8; Willis, age 7; Henry, age 4; Eddie, age 2; and Ruth, 8 mos.

1900 children: Lucie, age 17; Willis, age 26 and Henry, age 24.

So, Lucy in 1880 married in 1898.  Who is the 17 yr-old Lucie in 1900?  Ruth married in 1904.  Why isn't she in the family home in 1900?

Harry, age 8 mos., in 1870 apparently did not survive to 1880 and, Eddie, age 2, apparently did not survive until 1900.

There was a child, Bertha, born in Oct., 1885.  That would have put six years between her birth and that of Ruth in 1879 and leaves room for the second Lucie who, according to 1900 census was born in Sep., 1882.

---

*DNA testing has shown that Jordan was not a Coffey but was a child of (probably) Jane Coffey, and an unknown Taliaferro (Toliver) male.  Jane was a daughter of William and Elizabeth Osborne Coffey.
**Schylar, Nelson and Henry F. may not have been natural sons of Jordan.  Some believe they were more or less orphans taken in by Jordan and Betsey.  They are the only children of Jordan for which no specific listing of their parents has been found.

Francis Marion & Martha Jane Coffey Clark

UPDATED 11/23/2010 with info received from Jerry Dickinson

---

Francis Marion "Marion" Clark* was the eldest child and a son of John Wesley and Nancy B. Williams Clark.  He was born Apr 5, 1854 in Montezuma, Watauga Co., NC. He married Martha Jane Coffey on Jan. 2, 1875 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co.  Martha was born May 5, 1859 in the Globe to Silas C. & Eleanor or Ellender "Nellie" Green Coffey.  Martha died Apr. 11, 1900 and is buried at Newland in Mitchell Co.

After the death of Nancy Williams Coffey, John Wesley Coffey married a widow with two children: Joseph Green, age 11 and Laura, age 8 in the 1870 Watauga Co. census.  I have not yet identified her first husband but, he was likely related to Nellie.

Marion and Martha's children, all born in Montezuma, were**:

James W. (Will), born Nov. 21, 1875; Francis Newton (Newt), born Aug. 22, 1877; Lola E. (Elzora) born Nov. 25, 1879, died Nov. 22, 1968; Kenneth, born May 28, 1882 and Harrison (Harry), born May 10, 1884. Harry was the grandfather of Carol Ann Bledsoe Van Voorde, the owner of the family photo shown here. He died on May 10, 1931 in Weiser, Washington Co., ID and is buried there at Eastside Cemetery in Midvale. His wife was Mary Jane Cable, married Jan. 5, 1906 in Pullman, Whitman Co., WA. She was born Nov. 9, 1880 in Elkmills, Carter Co., TN and died in Weiser on Oct. 12, 1954. She is also buried at Midvale. Other children were Harrison, born May 1884; David Clingman, born Jul, 20, 1886, died Jul. 8, 1971 in St. John, Whitman Co., WA; Roby Edward, born Mar., 1888; Luther Evans, born May 1890; Millard Ray, born Mar. 23, 1892, died Feb. 27, 1986 in Spokane Co., WA. He married Nellie L. Shawgo in Whitman Co. on Jun. 1, 1913. She was born May 5, 1895 in Ewan, Whitman Co. and died Jan. 6, 1981 in Spokane Co.; Lula Essie Lovina, born Jan. 25, 1895 and Martha Agnes, born Feb. 15, 1900.

Martha Jane like died at the birth, or shortly after the birth of Agnes.  There may also have been a child born between Lela and Harrison, but it does not appear in any census record with the family.***

Francis Marion Clark Family

This photo is of Francis Marion and Martha Jane with their first five children.  I have not found a child named Harry nor one named Kenneth.  Harry may be short for Harrison and Kenneth may be first or middle name for Clingman.  Please drop me a note if you can clear up that bit of confusion.  Also needed are the death dates and burial places for Marion and Martha.

---

The photo is the property of Carol Ann Bledsoe Van Voorde

1880 Mitchell Co., Linville Twp., ED146, Page 20, dwelling/family 176, Clark, Marion H. [sic], white male, age 26, married, farmer, born NC, father born NC, mother born GA; Martha J., white female, age 21, wife, married, keeping house, born NC, parents born NC; James W., white male, age 4, son, born NC; Francis N., white male, age 2, son, born NC; Lela E., white female, age 7 mos., born Nov., dau., born NC; Clark, Sarah L., white female, age 18, sister, single, born NC, father born NC, mother born NC [sic]

1900 Mitchell Co., Linville Twp., ED98, Sheet 9B, dwelling 166, family 171, Clark, Marion, head, white male, born Apr., 1854, age 46, widower, born NC, father born NC, mother born GA, farmer; Newton, son, white male, born Aug., 1877, age 22, single, born NC; Harrison A., son, white male, born May 1884, age 16, born NC; Clingman, son, white male, born Jul. 1886, age 13, born NC; Roby, son, white male, born Mar 1888, age 12, born NC; Luther, son, white male, born May 1890, age 10, born NC; Ray, son, white male, born Mar., 1892, age 8, born NC; Lula, dau., white female, born Jan., 1895, age 5, born NC; Agnes, dau., female, white, age 4 mos., born NC; Clark, John, father, white male, born Dec., 1828, age 71, widower, born NC, parents born NC; Pendley, Minnie, servant, white female, born Jun 1879, age 29, single, born NC, parents born NC; Foyarten (?), Edith, inmate (?), white female, born Aug., 1833, age 66, single, born NC, parents born NC

---

*The surname is sometimes found as Clarke.
**Montezuma, founded in 1883, is currently in Avery Co., NC.  It was once a part of Watauga Co., formed in 1849 then Mitchell Co., formed in 1861.  Avery Co. was formed in 1911.
***Jerry shows William Henry Clark, born Nov. 21, 1875 in Boone, Watauga Co., died Jun. 11, 1946.  His birth date is the same as James William, but Wm. Henry does not appear in the 1880 census.  Jerry also shows a son Washington Canada Clark, born May 28, 1882, the same date as Kenneth.  He too must have died early because he does not appear in the 1900 census.

The Elrod Family of Watauga Co., NC

I recently received as a gift A History of Watauga County by John Preston Arthur (Richmond, Everett Waddey Co., 1915).  It was brand new and still in the cellophane wrapper when it was presented to me.  It's probably unnecessary for me to tell you - especially if you are a descendant of most anyone in Watauga County - that a large number of families in that county in the 1800's were either related by blood or by marriage.  Many of them are represented in this work by Arthur.

Some researchers have told me that Author made many mistakes in connecting some of the families but, so far, all have checked out pretty accurately; that is, I have not yet discovered any gross errors.  I am using census records to confirm family members, marriages, births, and where available, death records found at Ancestry.com.

So, for the foreseeable future, I'll be filling in some of the blanks that I have for many of those early families and reporting on a few of them in the blog.

---

The Elrods are said to be from France.  Conrad Elrod, the father of William, is first found in 1800 Burke County and again in 1810 in Morganton, Burke Co.  William's mother was not named by Arthur.  Conrad was not found in the NC census after 1810.

William Elrod appeared in the 1820 Ashe County census.  There were no other heads of household with that name in the NC census that year.  William married Elizabeth Lowrance and was the father of at least two children:  Alexander, born c1823 and Mary, born c1827.  There were probably others but, I have not yet found them.

Mary married  Thomas Cook c1845 and at least five children resulted from that union:  James Hamilton, born 1849; Sarah, born c1852; Martha Ellen, born Jul. 3, 1858; Alberton, born c1861 and Julia, born c1868.

Martha Ellen married Thomas Carlton Coffey on Nov. 14, 1875 in Watauga Co.  Thomas was born to Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey on Jan. 1, 1853 in Haywood Co., NC.  He died Dec. 17, 1915 in Watauga Co. and was buried at the Coffey Family cemetery at Blowing Rock.  Martha Ellen died Mar. 25, 1939 and was also buried there.

They had at least 13 children; too many to describe right now.  However, drop me a note if you are interested in their descendants.   I will get to them in later blogs.

Alexander Elrod was born c1823.  His wife was Mary B. "Polly" Shearer, born c1833 in NC.  I have not yet found a marriage date or death dates for them.  He and Polly had at least nine children.  Their fourth child and first son was William Thomas, born Apr. 17, 1858, died Aug. 4, 1941 in Caldwell Co., NC.

William married was married c1881 to Laura Velora Green, a daughter of Augustus and Sarah Green.  She was born May. 29, 1862 and died Sep. 15, 1923 in Caldwell Co.  I do not yet know where either of them are buried.

He and Laura were parents of at least seven.  Their fifth child and third daughter Lester Pearl Elrod married Roby Columbus Coffey.  Roby was born Jun. 16, 1881 and died in Boone on Sep. 26, 1964.  He is buried at Mt. Zion Baptist Church cemetery in Hudson, Caldwell Co.  Lester Pearl died on Aug. 17, 1939 in Forsyth Co. but I do not know where she was buried.

Roby Columbus was a brother to John Wesley "Happy John" Coffey, sons of Joseph Reubin and Martha Elizabeth Gragg Coffey.  They and Thomas Carlton were second as well as third cousins.

Gilliam & Susan Gragg Coffey

Gilliam was a son of William and Anna Boone Coffey. He was born May 21, 1810 in NC and died on Jan. 8, 1910 in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co., NC. He married first Mary "Polly" Moore on Jan. 2, 1832 in Caldwell Co.

Mary died on May. 26, 1871 in Caldwell Co. She was the mother of at least six children:

Harvey N., born Dec. 16, 1837, died Aug. 10, 1912. He married Jane Cochran, born Dec. 20, 1848, died Feb. 11, 1911. Both are buried in the Job Moore Cemetery in the Globe, Caldwell Co.

William Elbert, born 1839 in Caldwell Co., married Margaret Anne Kincaid on Feb. 6, 18 60 in Burke Co., NC. Margaret was born in 1837 and died on Dec. 22, 1921 in Morganton, Burke Co.

Harriet E., born Sep. 5, 1843, died Dec. 12, 1937. Harriet married James B. Blain on Oct. 7, 1866 in Caldwell Co. He as born May 1, 1844 in Cedar Valley, Caldwell Co., and died May 24, 1929 in Carter Co., TN. Harried was born Sep. 6, 1843 in Cedar Valley and died Dec. 12, 1937 in Elizabethton, Carter Co., TN. Both are buried in Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery at Keeneburg, Carter Co., TN

Celia Adeline, born c1847 of whom no further information.

Cordelia Adaline, born Jan. 10, 1853, died Jul. 9, 1918. She married John Boone Gragg on Dec. 17, 1877. He was born Feb. 15, 1856 in Caldwell Co., and died May 23, 1937 in the Globe. Both are buried at Job Moore.

Emma, born c1855, of whom no further information.

Gilliam married second to Susan D. (Susie) Gragg, a daughter of Jesse and Malinda Mast Gragg on June 4, 1882 in Caldwell Co. Susan had been twice before married: first to Patterson H. Moore on Sep. 6, 1866, and second to Isaac Green on Dec. 8, 1877. The only known child that survived this union was Hillie Horton, born Jul. 31, 1887, died Mar. 30, 1963.

Hillie marrie Bessie* McLean in 1908, Caldwell Co., and had at least four children: Unnamed son born and died May 16-17, 1921; James Harding, born and died Aug. 3, 1922; Fred Oral, born Mar. 16, 1924 and Ora Lee, born Feb. 27, 1927. Ora married Earl Greene in 1946, Caldwell Co.  Hillie died Mar. 30, 1963 in Collettsville, Caldwell Co., and was buried there in the Shoemake Cemetery.

The photo shows Hillie and his parents c1920. Please contact me if you contributed or know the source of the photo.

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

*I've seen another genealogy that names her Susie or Susan McLean

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

Nettie Louise Coffey

Nettie was a daughter of Francis Richmond and Etta May Hayes Coffey*. She was born in North Caroliona, probably in Caldwell Co., on 8 Dec., 1896. She died in Watauga Co. on Aug. 7, 1979. Both her birth and death dates were found in the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) as well as in the North Carolina death records. She married Larkin Alberton Calloway in Watauga Co., but a marriage date has not been found. Based on birthdate of their first child, 1913 can be the presumed marriage year.



Larkin Alberton was born Apr. 1, 1885 in Watauga Co., and died Jan., 1966 in Banner Elk, Avery Co. His birthdate was found in the WW1 draft registration cards, and his death date was recorded in the SSDI. When he registered for the draft on Sep. 12, 1918 in Watauga Co., he was described as being of medium build and height with brown hair and eyes. Nettie was named as his nearest relative.



There were four children born to the marriage, but only two survived to adulthood. All were born in Watauga Co.

• DeEtte, born Apr. 22, 1914


• Nellie M., born Oct. 5, 1917, died at age 5 on Sep. 27, 1923 in Watauga Co.


• MacDonald, born Sep. 20, 1919, died at age 15 on Jan. 22, 1935 in Avery Co.


• Claude Coolidge, born Feb. 1, 1922

Francis Richmond was a son of Silas Carroll and Eleanor Green Coffey, and Etta was the daughter of Richard and Delphia L. Hayes Hayes.

Please contact me with additions and/or corrections. I would like to know when and where they married, and the parents of Larkin.

*Francis Richmond Coffey was a son of Silas Carroll and Eleanor Green(e) Coffey. Etta was the daughter of Richard and Delphia L. Hayes Hayes. Richard was in the Ransom and Sarah Greene Hayes line.