Arthur Hill & Mary Jane Coffey Dula

I have written previously about this family.  Interested readers can find that blog here.

1910 Snippet

While attempting to reconcile their (minimum) nine children with the census records, etc., I found some of their names to be quiet different in each census.

Notice on the 1910 snippet the child Rzela enumerated after Beatrice.  In other records she is Ruby Dula or Ruby Evelyn Dula, born Jan 19, 1910.*   Ernest D. is actually Ernest Drexell Coffey Dula and he was born on Oct. 18, 1908.  This birth date was found on his death certificate.**

Following Ernest on the census is a daughter named Lena R., born in 1910.  I haven't found a birth record for her.  But, note her age is given as 3 months which pretty much coincides with Ruby's birth date.

1920 Snippet

Then, we come to 1920 where the child following Beatrice is named Rosavelt.  Again, the census taker apparently misunderstood.  She was aged 15 meaning that she was born 1904-05 time frame and must be Ruth, who was born Aug. 5, 1904.‡

By 1930, the only child left at home was Cleda, age 12.  She was born Sep. 17, 1917.†

To recap all the children:

Clyde Lester Dula

Catherine G. Coffey

Clyde Lester, born Jul. 23, 1893 in Watauga Co., died Aug. 2, 1973 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co.  Married first wife Bertha Mae Robbins, a daughter of Joshua Rufus and Margaret Alenza "Maggie" Coffey Robbins, born Mar. 9, 1897 in Watauga Co., died Jun. 23, 1982 in Avery Co.  Their marriage produced three unnamed daughters between 1916 and 1918.  Mary Elise was born Feb. 8, 1923 and Anna Mae was born Sep. 26, 1926.  Clyde and Bertha divorced some c1930 and Catherine Gwendolyn Coffey, a daughter of Austin Blaine and Emma Mahalia "Hailey" Harris Coffey became his second wife.  Catherine was born Aug. 1, 1919 in Watauga Co., and died in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., NC on Aug. 19, 1997.  I am not aware of any children born to this union.  Clyde was 45 years old and Catherine was 19 when they married on July 4, 1939.  Both Clyde and Catherine at buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.  I do not know where Bertha was laid to rest.

Julius A. Gragg

Charlotte N. Dula

Charlotte Nevada, born Jan. 21, 1895, married Julius Allen Gragg.  He was born Jun. 25, 1892 in Caldwell Co. to Julius Leander and Margaret Jane "Maggie" Henley Gragg and died on Jun. 17, 1979 in Boone, Watauga Co.  Charlotte died on Jul. 14, 1989 in Asheville, Buncombe Co., NC.  Both are buried at Boone Fork Community Cemetery in Blowing Rock.  Their children were Lester Merrill, born 1916; Wanda Lee, born 1918, died 1965, married Clarence Richard Lamkin on Mar. 23, 1939 in Blowing Rock.  He was born in 1917 at Lenoir, Caldwell Co., and died Jan. 30, 1987 in Hickory, Catawba Co.  Both are buried at Belleview Cemetery in Lenoir.  Their third and last known child was Virginia Katherine "Jackie," born Dec. 1, 1924 in Watauga Co., died Jun. 30, 1999 in Lenoir.  Her husband was Earl William Ward, born Nov. 8, 1911, a son of Miles A. and Hester Elizabeth Trivett Ward.  Jackie and Earl was married Aug. 11, 1946 in Blowing Rock.  He died Sep. 24, 2002 and they are also buried at Boone Fork.

Anthony Cory

Olive Manila, born Feb. 26, 1899, died Dec. 17, 1985.  She married at least three times.  Here first was Robert Lawrence Coleman, born to Thomas and Emmerette Wright Coleman on Feb. 19, 1891 in Watauga Co.  They were married there on May 1, 1917.  I have not found a death record for Robert.  He and Olive apparently divorced because Robert married again c1924 to a lady named Frances J. and, they had at least one child, May R., born c1928 in West Virginia.  Olive's second husband was Anthony Cory [sic], born Jul. 6, 1881 in the Syrian Arab Republic.  He died on Nov. 15, 1946 in Watauga Co. and was buried at Boone Fork.  Olive's third husband was Will Estes, born 1877 in NC, died Jan. 7, 1971 in Boone.  It appears that Olive did not have any children by either of her husbands.

Beatrice Rema was born Jul. 7, 1902 in Watauga Co., died Nov. 16, 1977 in Winston-Salem.  She married twice, first to Joseph John Teague on Sep. 21, 1920 in Blowing Rock.  He was born Jul. 27, 1895 in Patterson, Caldwell Co., to Hiram John and Julia A. Coffey Teague.  Julia and Beatrice's mother were distant cousins.  Joseph died on Feb. 25, 1961 in Durham Co., NC.  There was one known child, a daughter Ophelia Hartt Teague, born in 1921, died in 1999 in Davie Co., NC.  She married Paul Roberson Coffey, born Mar. 17, 1922 in Caldwell Co. to Charles Alexander "Charlie" and Julia Evelyn Knight Coffey.  Joseph and Beatrice apparently divorced because before his death, she married Kenneth Wilmont Lentz on Mar. 20, 1954 in Forsyth Co., NC.  He was born Feb. 5, 1884 to Adam W. and Maggie Miller Lentz and died on Oct. 13, 1963 in Winston-Salem.  Beatrice died there on Nov. 16, 1977.  Both are buried there at Salem Cemetery.

Ruth Virginia married Zenobian Michaels Koontz on Nov. 12, 1927 in Forsyth Co.  He was born Jul. 12, 1902 in Davidson Co., NC and died in Winston-Salem on May 8, 1981.  Ruth died there on Sep. 2, 1990.  She is buried at Forsyth Memorial Park in Winston-Salem; he at Wallburg Baptist Church Cemetery in Davidson Co.  They had at least two children, both daughters:  Ramona Jane in 1929 and Nancy, birth date unknown.  On Jun. 21, 1950 Ramona married Francis A. McKenna in Forsyth Co., NC

Ernest Drexell was born Oct. 18, 1908 and died in Winston-Salem on Sep. 7, 1974.  He married Jessie O. Coome on Jan. 19, 1929 in Forsyth Co.  He is buried at Forsyth Memorial Park.

Ruby Evelyn Dula

Murray Harris Coffey

Ruby Evelyn was born in Caldwell Co. on Jan. 19, 1910 and died in Guilford Co. on Apr. 13, 1999.  Her husband was Murray Harris Coffey, brother to Catherine who married Clyde Dula.  They were married in Watauge Co. on Nov. 19, 1938.  Murray died Apr. 5, 2003 in Blowing Rock.  Both are buried at Boone Fork Community Cemetery.  I know of only one child, a son M. Vern Coffey, born Oct. 5, 1939, died Oct. 3, 1990.

Lois Esther (sometimes spelled Estha) was born in Watauga Co. on Jun. 3, 1912 and died in Eden, Rockingham Co., NC on Oct. 29, 1999.  Lois married a Mr. Self.  I have been unable to find any information about him.

Cleda Elizabeth was the last child, born Sep. 17, 1917 in Watauga Co.  She married J. T. Nicholson on Aug. 24, 1939 in Forsyth Co.  I have found no other information about them.

---

Rites held for Mr. Dula

Clyde Lester Dula, age 80, of Blowing Rock died Thursday in Blowing Rock Hospital after an extended illness.

Mr. Dula was born in Watauga County to Arthur and Mary Jane Coffey Dula.  He was a retired fuel oil distributor having been employed by the Colvard Oil Company for thirty-four years.  He served on the Blowing Rock Town Council for eight years and the local Recreation Commission for several years.  He also served as Elder at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church.
 
Surviving are his wife, Gwendolyn Coffey Dula of Blowing Rock; four daughters, Mrs. Elyse Milum of Lakeland, Florida, Mrs. John Broyhill of Blowing Rock, Miss Linda Dula of Blowing rock and Mrs. Mike Wilson of Boone; seven sisters, Mrs. Aileen Gragg of Boone, Mrs. W. H. Estes of Blowing Rock, Mrs. Beatrice Lentz of Winston-Salem, Mrs. Murray Coffey of Blowing Rock, Mrs. Virginia Willis of Winston-Salem, Mrs. Estha Self of Eden, Mrs. J. T. Niehulson [sic] of Los Angeles, Calif. and one brother, Ernest Dula of Winston-Salem; 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church by Rev. Richard Holshouser and Rev. George Stenhouse.  burial was in the Blowing Rock City Cemetery.
---

Charlotte Dula Gragg
Watauga County Native

Charlotte Dula Gragg, 94, of Asheville, and a native and former resident of Boone, died Friday, July 14, 1989, at Biltmore Manor, a nursing care center in Asheville.

She was born Jan. 21, 1895 in Watauga County to Arthur and Mary Coffey Dula.

Mrs. Gragg was preceded in death by a daughter, Wanda Lamkin of Lenoir.

Surviving are one daughter, Jackie Ward of Asheville; four sisters, Mrs. Cleda Nicholson of Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs. Ruby Coffey of blowing Rock, Mrs. Estha Self of Eden, N.C., and Mrs. Virginia Finney of Winston-Salem; five grandchildren, including Barbara Lamkin Price of Lenoir, seven great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Boone Fork Community Cemetery.  The Rev. Murray Coffey and the Rev. Howard Hodges will officiate.

The family will receive friends Sunday from 2 to 3 p.m. at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Boone.

---

*Name: Ruby Evelyn Dula Date of Birth: 19 Jan 1910 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Caldwell Parent1 Name: Arthur Hill Dula Parent2 Name: Mary Jane Coffey; North Carolina Birth Indexes, Roll No. B_C017_68001, Vol. 24, Page 257.

**Drexell Coffey Dula, Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., NC death certificate No. 31539 (7 September 1974).

‡Name: Ruth Virginia Dula Date of Birth: 5 Aug 1904 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Arthur Hill Dula Parent2 Name: Mary Jane Coffey Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes, Roll Number: B_C102_66001 Volume: 14 Page: 70.

†Name: Cleda Elizabeth Dula Date of Birth: 17 Sep 1917 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Arthur Hill Dula Parent2 Name: Mary Jane Coffey North Carolina Birth Indexes, Roll Number: B_C102_66001 Volume: 3 Page: 549.

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.

Who is William Wallace Coffey?

From The semi-centennial alumni record of the University of Illinois by the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign campus), 1918:

p. 527, 6168: "George Cleveland Coffey Lawyer; LL. B.; b. O 16, 1884; s William Wallace (b. O 5, 1835, Hopkinsville, Ky) and Helen Baily (Knight) Coffey (b. O 8, 1846, Elktown, Ky.). Prepared in Ewing Coll.; Univ. of Mo., 1907-08.  Lawyer, Mt. Vernon, Ill., 1914-16; Benton, Ill., 1916-.  Married Maud Williamson, O 24, 1908.  Address, Benton, Ill.; Bus. Add., Williams, Lewis & Coffey, do."

I suspect the "O" represents the month of October, but were all born in that month?

Joseph Commodore Church (Updated)

1. Joseph Commodore CHURCH was born in North Carolina in Jul 1878.1 He appeared in the census on Jun 6, 1900 in Watauga Twp., Watauga Co., NC as a single man in the household with his parents. He registered for the WWI draft on Sep 12, 1918 in Watauga Co., NC.2 He died on May 11, 1956 in Watauga Co., NC.3

Article, unknown newspaper

Joseph Commodore Church

Lenoir - Funeral services for J. C. Church, 73, of Rt. 1, Blowing Rock, who died Friday evening at a Blowing Rock hospital, will be conducted at 2 p.m. today at his residence by the Rev. Marshall Setzer of Lenoir and the Rev. Bob Shores of Blowing Rock. Burial will be in the Boone Fork Cemetery. A retired farmer, Mr. Church was born in Watauga County on July 12, 1877, a son of the late James and Laura Blackburn Church. His wife, Mrs. Vera Church, died in October of 1954. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Leslie Coffey and Mrs. Herman Coffey of Blowing Rock; a sister, Mrs. J. A. McLean of Connelly Springs; a brother, Ellis Church of Collettsville, six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

He was buried in May 1956 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC.

Joseph Commodore CHURCH and Lee Ella COFFEY were married on Oct 10, 1896 in Caldwell Co., NC.4


Lee Ella COFFEY (daughter of Thomas Avery COFFEY and Louisa E. GRAGG) was born in Caldwell Co., NC in Nov 1881. She died on Dec 16, 1963 in North Carolina. She was buried in Dec 1963 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC. Joseph Commodore CHURCH and Lee Ella COFFEY had the following children:

Lee Ella Coffey

2 i. Alma CHURCH was born in North Carolina in Oct 1897. She appeared in the census on Jun 11, 1900 in Globe, Caldwell Co., NC in the household with her grandparents, Thomas and Louisa Coffey.

Joseph Commodore CHURCH and Nora Rebecca HOLLIFIELD were married about 1904 in North Carolina. They appeared in the census on Apr 23, 1910 in Watauga Co., NC.5 Nora Rebecca HOLLIFIELD was born in North Carolina in Oct 1883.6 She appeared in the census on Jun 5, 1900 in Watauga Twp., Watauga Co., NC in the household with her widowed father. She died in 1916 in North Carolina. She was buried in 1916 in Holloway Church Cemetery, Holloway Mountain, Caldwell Co., NC. Joseph Commodore CHURCH and Nora Rebecca HOLLIFIELD had the following children:

+3 i. Leslie Kathleen CHURCH, born on Aug 16, 1905, Watauga Co., NC7; married Thomas Charles Milton COFFEY, on Jul 23, 1927, Watauga Co., NC8; died on Feb 24, 1977, Greene Co., TN9.
4 ii. Howard CHURCH was born in North Carolina in Aug 1906. He died about Feb 1907 in North Carolina. [See Corrections below!]

Hildred Myrt Church

Hildred Myrt Church

+5 iii. Hildred Myrt CHURCH, born on Aug 4, 1907, Watauga Co., NC10; married James Herman (Hum) COFFEY, on Jun 1, 1929, Watauga Co., NC; died on Sep 29, 2007, Watauga Co., NC11.
6 iv. Dorlas (Delores?) Revonda CHURCH12 was born in Watauga Co., NC on Jul 4, 1915.13 She died in Oct 1915 in North Carolina.

Vera Ester Coffey

Joseph Commodore CHURCH and Vera Esther COFFEY were married. They appeared in the census on Feb 5, 1920 in Watauga Co., NC.14 They appeared in the census on Apr 2, 1930 in Watauga Co., NC.15

Vera Esther COFFEY (daughter of David Nathaniel COFFEY and Caroline Lavinia COFFEY) was born in Watauga Co., NC on Sep 20, 1889.16 She arrived in the US on Sep 25, 191517 She arrived in the US on May 10, 1916 She died on Oct 28, 1954 in Watauga Co., NC.18

Article, unknown newspaper

Mrs. Church, 65 Taken by Death

Mrs. J. C. church, 65, of blowing Rock, Route One, passed away Thursday afternoon at the Blowing Rock hospital, following an illness of several months.

Born in Watauga county September 20, 1889, she was the daughter of the late David and Carolyn Coffey. Her maiden name was M? Vera Coffey.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at ? o'clock at the residence at Blowing Rock, with the Rev. S. E. Gra? officiating. Burial will be in Boone Fork cemetery.

The body was removed to the home this afternoon from Gr? Funeral Home.

Surviving are her husband; ? step-daughters, Mrs. Leslie Coffey and Mrs. Hildred Coffey, of Blowing Rock, two brothers, Blain and Olin J. Coffey, of Bloqing Rock; and a half-brother, Garfield Coffey of Clarkston, W. Va.

[Some parts of article were unreadable]

She was buried in Oct 1954 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC.

Second Generation

3. Leslie Kathleen CHURCH19 (Joseph Commodore-1) was born in Watauga Co., NC on Aug 16, 1905.7 She died on Feb 24, 1977 in Greene Co., TN.9

Obituary

Mrs. Leslie Coffey

Mrs. Leslie Church Coffey, 71, of Rt. 2, Chuckey, Tenn., and a former resident of Blowing Rock died Thursday morning, Feb. 24, in Greenville, Tenn.

Services were conducted Saturday afternoon at the Boone Fork Baptist Church. Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Mrs. Coffey is survived by her husband T. M. Coffey; one daughter, Mrs. W. O. (Velma) Perry of Hickory; one son, Jerry B. Coffey of Hickory; one step-daughter, Mrs. Sybil Davisd [sic] of Colton, Calif.; one sister, Mrs. Herman (Hildred) Coffey of Blowing Rock; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Local arrangements were handled by the Hampton Funeral Service.

She was buried in Feb 1977 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC.

This information is incorrect 8/28/2014:  Leslie Kathleen CHURCH and Thomas Charles Milton COFFEY were married on Jul 23, 1927 in Watauga Co., NC.8 Thomas Charles Milton COFFEY (son of George Calvin COFFEY and Louisa Elizabeth (Lou) CURTIS) was born in Watauga Co., NC on Apr 28, 1896.20 He appeared in the census on Apr 23, 1910 in Watauga Co., NC in the household with his parents. He died on Aug 23, 1980 in Hickory Twp., Catawba Co., NC.21 Leslie Kathleen CHURCH and Thomas Charles Milton COFFEY had the following children:

The following was received on 8/24/2014 from Yvonne Coffey Olmstead with updated information about her grandfather, Thomas Milton Coffey:

Leslie Katherine Church married 2 different Coffey men.  The first was Charles [C.]  Coffey (not a son of George Calvin Coffey and Louisa Elizabeth Curtis). They married 23 July, 1927.  They had 2 children: Velma Coffey Knight and Jerry Coffey. This husband, Charles died in 1955.  Leslie later married my grandfather, Thomas Milton Coffey (who is son of George Calvin Coffey and Louisa Elizabeth Curtis), born in Shulls Mill, Watauga Co., NC 28 April 1896. He died in Hickory, NC 23 August, 1980. Leslie and Thomas Milton married in their later years and had NO children together.

[Charles C. Coffey was a son of William Leander "Lee" Coffey and Nancy Rebecca "Nan" Hollars.  He was born Apr. 4, 1903 and died Sep. 25, 1933 and was buried at Boone Fork Community Cemetery at Blowing Rock.  The family lived in Mount Morris Twp., Genesee Co., MI in 1930 where Charles worked in an automobile factory and where both children were born.  Leslie died in Greene Co., TN in Feb., 1977 and was also buried at Boone Fork.]

7 i.
Velma Irene COFFEY was born in Flint, Genesee Co., MI on Jun 22, 1928. She died on Apr 12, 2006 in Hickory Twp., Catawba Co., NC.

Obituary

Mrs. Knight

Velma Irene Coffey Knight, age 77, of Hickory and a former resident of Blowing Rock, died Wednesday, April 12 at Frye Regional Medical Center after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Knight was born June 22, 1928 in Flint, Michigan, a daughter of the late Charles and Leslie Church Coffey. She was a member of Sandy Ridge Baptist Church.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Dean and Janice Knight of Conover; a daughter, Brenda Knight Starnes of Hickory; a brother, Jerry Coffey of Hickory; an aunt, Hildred Coffey of Blowing Rock; three granddaughters, Dia Hibbitts and husband, Mark, Shelly Lambert and husband Jeff, and Lanae Knight Jenkins, all of Hickory; a grandson, Shay Starnes of Hickory; six great-grandsons, Trevor Starnes, Daniel Hibbitts, Chase Jenkins and Cody Lambert, all of Hickory; and three great-granddaughters, Natalie Lambert, Jessica Hibbitts and Cidona Lambert, all of Hickory.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Hue Knight.

Services for Mrs. Knight were held Tuesday, April 18 in Hickory.

Memorial may be sent to the Sandy Ridge Baptist Church, 3702 Sixteenth St., N.E., Hickory, N.C. 28601.

Bass-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory of Hickory was in charge of the arrangements.

5. Hildred Myrt CHURCH22 (Joseph Commodore-1) was born in Watauga Co., NC on Aug 4, 1907.10 She died on Sep 29, 2007 in Watauga Co., NC.11

Hildred Myrt CHURCH and James Herman (Hum) COFFEY were married on Jun 1, 1929 in Watauga Co., NC.

James Herman (Hum) COFFEY (son of John Wesley (Happy John) COFFEY and Ella Adelaide HENDERSON) was born in Globe, Caldwell Co., NC on Dec 5, 1904.23 He died on Mar 14, 1979 in Boone, Watauga Co., NC.24

Obituary, The Watauga Democrat, Boone, Watauga Co., NC, Oct. 2, 2007

Hildred Church Coffey

Mrs. Hildred Church Coffey, 100, of 138 Chestnut Knob Trail, Blowing Rock, died Saturday evening, Sept. 29, 2007, at her home.

She was born August 4, 1907 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Com and Nora Hollifield Church.

Throughout her life, she was a wonderful daughter; then met Herman Coffey, whom she married June 1, 1929. She was a faithful servant of Christ and our Lord. She raised four children, grandchildren, family friend’s children with love, kindness, and taught us the Lord’s word. She was most definitely one of God’s best creations.

In her early life, she worked for the renowned artist, Elliott Dangerfield and then became manager of housekeeping at the Green Park Hotel in Blowing Rock until she retired at the age of 72.

Survivors include one daughter, Thelma Coffey of Blowing Rock; one son, James Coffey and wife, Mary, of Lenoir; one daughter-in-law, Vera Coffey of Hickory; three granddaughters, Kelly Lea Catterton of Blowing Rock, Melody A. Rich and husband, James, of Blowing Rock, and Vickie C. Norris and husband, Dan, of Boone; five grandsons, Michael R. Johnson and wife, Sally, of Charlotte, Thomas Gregory Catterton and wife, Penny, of Shatley Springs, Kevin Coffey and wife, Nancy, of Morganton, Eric M. Coffey of Boone, and Robert R. Coffey and wife, Debbie, of Boone; and many more extended family, friends, and loved ones alike. She is also survived by 19 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and one nephew, Jerry Coffey, son of a late sister, Leslie C. Coffey.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Herman "Hum" Coffey; one daughter, Betty Johnson and her husband, Roy; one son, Robert H. "Bob" Coffey; one grandson, Jeffery Lee "Jeff" Coffey; her father and mother, Com and Nora Hollifield Church; two sisters, Leslie C. Coffey and Delores Church; and one brother, Howard Church.

Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 2, 2007, at 2:00 o'clock, at Boone Fork Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock.

Officiating will be Pastor Darrell Miller, the Rev. Carl Osborne, and the Rev. Dean Coffey. Burial will follow in the Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Monday evening, from 7:00 until 9:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Service. At other times, friends may call at Mrs. Coffey's residence, 138 Chestnut Knob Trail, Blowing Rock.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to High Country Health Care System/Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

He was buried in Mar 1979 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC. Hildred Myrt CHURCH and James Herman (Hum) COFFEY had the following children:

8 i. Betty Ann COFFEY25 was born in May 1930. She died on May 30, 1952.26 She was buried in Jun 1952 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC.
+9 ii. Robert Herman (Bob) COFFEY, born on Sep 2, 1931, Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., NC27; married Vera Louise COOK; died on Jun 24, 1994, Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., NC28.
+10 iii. Thelma Ann COFFEY, born on Jul 9, 1934, Avery Co., NC29; married Thomas Samuel CATTERTON.
+11 iv. James Norman (Herman?) COFFEY, born on Aug 27, 1939, Watauga Co., NC30; married Mary Ann RICH.

Sources

1. United States Federal Census for years indicated. [His WW1 Draft Registration gives his birthdate as Jul. 12, 1877].
2. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 . National Archives and Records Administration. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. M1509, 20,243 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. Joseph Commorore Church registered for the draft in Watauga Co. on Sep. 12, 1918. He was of medium height and build with brown hair and eyes. He was 41 yrs. old, born Jul. 12, 1877. Joseph was a resident of Shulls Mills in Watauga Co, was a self-employed farmer and listed Alma, Leslie and Hildred Church of Shulls Mills as his nearest relative[s].
3. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. North Carolina Death Records, 1968-1996. North Carolina Vital Records, Raleigh, North Carolina. and North Carolina Archives and Records Section. North Carolina County Records, 1908-1967. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Joseph C Church Death Date: 11 May 1956 Death County: not assigned Death State: North Carolina Death Age: 78 Birth Date: 1878 Race: White Source: NC State Archives. North Carolina Deaths, 1908-67.
4. Caldwell County, North Carolina Register of Deed's Index Search, Wayne L. Rash, Register of Deeds online [http://rod.co.caldwell.nc.us/Resolution/search_menu.asp], accessed variously.
5. United States Federal Census. 1910 Watauga Co., Watauga Twp., ED159, Sheet 7A, dwelling 112, family 114, Church, Joseph C., head, male, white, age 32, married twice, this time for 5 yrs., born NC, parents born NC, farmer; Nora R., wife, female, white, age 26, married once for 5 yrs., mother of 3, 2 living, born NC, parents born NC; Leslie C., dau., female, white, age 4, single, born NC, parents born NC; Hildred M., dau., female, white, age 2, single, born NC, parents born NC. [Oscar L. Coffey was the enumerator].
6. Ibid., 5 Jun 1900, Watauga Co. in the household with her parents.
7. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Leslie Kathleen Church Date of Birth: 16 Aug 1905 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Joseph Commodore Church Parent2 Name: Nora Rebecca Hollifield.
8. Historical Studies, Appalachian State University, Department of History (Editors Evelyn G. Shepherd and Brenda M. Greene), compiler, Marriage Register of Watauga County, North Carolina 1873-1954 (Boone, Watauga Co., NC: Dept. of Hist., Appalachian State Univ., Boone, NC, 1995). Officiated by M. B. Woosely.
9. Shelby County [TN] Register of Deeds, Shelby Co., TN online [http://register.shelby.tn.us], accessed Various [Results returned as Surname Given Name; Date of Death/Age; County of Death; County/State of Residence; Marital Status; Gender; Race; File No.]. COFFEY LESLIE C 02-24-1977 / 71 GREENE GREENE / TN MARRIED F WHITE 07774.
10. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Hildred Myrul Church Date of Birth: 4 Aug 1907 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Joseph Commodore Church Parent2 Name: Nora Rebecca Hollifield.
11. Greg Catterton, "Coffey Desdndant [sic]," e-mail message from () to Jack Coffee, Sep. 29, 2007. "It is with great sadness for me to tell you my nanny (Hildred Coffey) passed away Saturday night September 29, 2007 at 10:28 PM. She was 100 years old... I was with her in her final moments, and she went very peacefully.".
12. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Dorlas Revonda Church Date of Birth: 4 Jul 1915 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Joseph Commodore Church Parent2 Name: Nora Rebecca Hollifield Roll Number: B_C102_66001 Volume: 2 Page: 523.
13. Ibid., Name: Dorlas Revonda Church Date of Birth: 4 Jul 1915 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Joseph Commodore Church Parent2 Name: Nora Rebecca Hollifield.
14. United States Federal Census. 1920 Watauga Co., Watauga Twp., ED164, Sheet 19A, dwelling 260, family 363, Church, Comoador [sic], head, male, white, age 41, born NC, parents born NC, farmer; Vera [sic], wife, female, white, age 28, married, born NC, parents born NC; Leslie, dau, female, white, age 14, single, born NC; Hildred, dau., female, white, age 12, born NC; Archie, son, male, white, age 3 yrs., 3 mos., born NC.
15. Ibid., 1930 Watauga Co., Watauga Twp., ED16, Sheet 1B-2A, dwelling/family 24, Church, J. Com, head, male, white, age 53, married at age 21, born NC, parents born NC, farmer; Church, Vera, wife, female, white, age 41, married at age 26, born NC, parents born NC; Sims, Archie, step-son, male, white, age 13, single, born NC, parents born NC; Coffey, David, father-in-law, male, white, age 76, widower, married at age 35, born NC, parents born NC, laborer on truck farm.
16. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Vera Esther Coffey Date of Birth: 20 Sep 1889 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: David Nathaniel Coffey Parent2 Name: Carolyn Coffey. [A passenger record for Vera sailing from Panama, CZ to NY on 1916 gives her birth year as 1891].
17. New York. Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897. Micropublication M237. Rolls # 1-675. National Archives, Washington, D.C. and New York. Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1897-1957. Micropublication T715. Rolls # 1-8892. National Archives, Washington, D.C. Name: Vera Sims Estimated birth year: 1891 Age: 25 Gender: Female Port of Departure: Cristobal C Z Ship Name: Panama Port of Arrival: New York, New York Nativity: North Carolina Line: 30 Birth Location: North Carolina Birth Location Other: country Page Number: 28. [Her arrival entry indicates that she was married].
18. North Carolina Death Records, 1968-1996. Name: Vera E Church Death Date: 28 Oct 1954 Death State: North Carolina Death Age: 65 Birth Date: 1889 Source: NC State Archives. North Carolina Deaths, 1908-67.
19. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Leslie Kathleen Church Date of Birth: 16 Aug 1905 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Joseph Commodore Church Parent2 Name: Nora Rebecca Hollifield Roll Number: B_C102_66001 Volume: 6 Page: 36.
20. Ibid., Name: Thomas Milton Coffey Date of Birth: 28 Apr 1896 Gender: Male Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Geo Calvin Coffey Parent2 Name: Lou Curtis.
21. North Carolina Death Records, 1968-1996. Name: Thomas Milton Coffey Death Date: 23 Aug 1980 Death City: Hickory (P) Death County: Catawba Death State: North Carolina Death Age: 84 Burial Location: Burial out of state Birth Date: 28 Apr 1896 Birth Location: Tennessee Residence City: Hickory Residence County: Catawba Residence State: North Carolina Gender: Male Race: White Marital Status: Widowed Social Security Number: 410340203 Autopsy: No Institution: General Hospital Attendant: Physician Source: NC Department of Health. North Carolina Deaths, 1979-82.
22. , "Coffey Desdndant [sic]," e-mail to Jack Coffee, Sep. 29, 2007.
23. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: James Herman Coffey Date of Birth: 5 Dec 1904 Gender: Male Race: White Birth County: Caldwell Parent1 Name: John W Coffey Parent2 Name: Ella Adelaid Henderson Roll Number: B_C017_68001 Volume: 20-A Page: 35.
24. Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc. Name: J. Coffey SSN: 244-14-0751 Last Residence: 28605 Blowing Rock, Watauga, North Carolina, United States of America Born: 5 Dec 1904 Died: Mar 1979 State (Year) SSN issued: North Carolina (Before 1951 ).
25. Letter from Margaret J. Farley (130 West Acadia Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27127) to Jack K. Coffee, Oct. 31, 2006; held by Jack K. Coffee (110 Lydia Road, St. Joseph, LA 71366). Original obituary clipping(s) from Watauga Democrat.. Some information from Margaret via e-mail.
26. Various E-mail sources; see details. "Betty was born in 1934 but not for sure. She died with her [husband[ in 1952. They were in Wilkes Co., NC or state of Virginia when the [automobile] accident occured.".
27. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Robert Herman Coffey Date of Birth: 2 Sep 1931 Birth County: Avery Parent1 Name: Jame Herman Coffey.
28. Social Security Death Index, Master File
. Name: Robert H. Coffey SSN: 245-34-0940 Last Residence: 28605 Blowing Rock, Watauga, North Carolina, United States of America Born: 2 Sep 1931 Died: 24 Jun 1994 State (Year) SSN issued: North Carolina (Before 1951 ).
29. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Thelma Anne Coffey Date of Birth: 9 Jul 1934 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Avery Parent1 Name: James H Coffey Parent2 Name: H M Church.
30. Ibid., Name: James Norman Coffey Date of Birth: 27 Aug 1939 Gender: Male Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: James Herman Coffey Parent2 Name: Hildred Myrl Church.