John D. & Margaret Ann Walton Coffey

Marcus Lafayette Walton, born Mar. 4, 1844 in Estill Co., KY, married Rachel Hopkins, born 1850 in VA, the daughter of Jonathan and Jamima Simmons Hopkins.  Year of marriage was probably around 1868-69 but I haven't found an exact date.  They first appeared in the 1870 Irvine, Estill Co., census and were still there in 1880.  Marcus died on Dec. 6, 1895*.  Rachel lived an additional 50 years, passing away on Oct. 26, 1945 in Blackburn, Estill Co.  She was buried at Boian Cemetery in Irvine.

They were parents of at least seven children:  Margaret Ann, David, Mary, Nancy, Melvina, Evie and Nettie.

Margaret Ann, or Maggie, was born in May of 1870 and died in March of 1958 in Madison Co., KY.  Her husband was John D. Coffey, born Dec. 20, 1859 in Estill Co., to whom she was married on Oct. 10, 1889 in Irvine.**  John died in 1909 just before his last child was born in 1910.

John D. Coffey was a son of John T. & Elizabeth Jane Walton Coffey.  John T. was a son of Colby and Mary Ann Adams Coffey.  Colby was born in Wilkes Co., NC, married Mary Ann in Grainger Co., TN and lived out the remainder of their life together in Estill Co.  Elizabeth Jane was a daughter of David and Elizabeth Warford Walton.  I have not yet investigated a connection between Elizabeth Jane and Marcus, but odds are the were related.

John D. siblings were 1) Thomas Jefferson, 1858-1932, married Julina C. Walton in Irvine, 1881.  Julina was a daughter of William Jackson and Thursy Ann Coffey Walton.  William Jackson was brother to Elizabeth, wife of John T. and mother of John D.  Thursy Ann was a daughter of Colby, and sister to John T.  2) Elizabeth Jane, born 1862 in Estill Co., said to have married John Andrew Adams and died in Dawson Co., NE.***  3) William A Curtis, sometimes found as W.A.C. Coffey, born 1865 in Estill Co., married Sarah Frances Walton, another daughter of William Jackson and Thursy Ann, in 1890.  She died in 1900.  He remarried to a lady named Esther but I have no further info about that union.

There were at least 12 children born to the marriage of John D. and Margaret Ann Walton:

The eldest was John Dillard Coffey - perhaps John Dillard, Jr.? - born Dec. 16, 1892 at Jinks, in Estill Co.  John married Jessie Lu [sic] Carr on Nov. 29, 1917.  I have not found them in any census record.  He died in 1968 and she in 1976, both in Richmond, Madison Co., KY.  Both are buried at the Richmond cemetery.

David was the second child, born Aug. 15, 1894 at Jinks.  In about 1929, at age 35, he married a young girl by the name of Kitty, who was 17 years old.  The age difference apparently made little difference to either because they remained husband and wife until David's demise in 1974.  Kitty passed away in 1983.  Both are buried at the Richmond cemetery in Madison Co.  They apparently had only one child, Annie Ruth, born c1933, the only child to appear with them in the 1940 census.

Bertie Land, born 1895, apparently never married.  His mother lived with him in 1940 in Madison Co.  He died in Jul., 1982 and is also buried at Richmond cemetery.

James Allen, born Oct., 1896, died Aug., 1968 in Jefferson Co., KY.  His wife was Margaret, born 1910, died 1974.  Both are buried at La Grange, Oldham Co., KY in the Valley of Rest cemetery.

With the exception of one, I have very little info on the next four children:  Myrtle A., born 1896; Hobart L., born Mar, 1899, died Oct., 1900, buried at Garrett Cemetery at Jinks; Betty F., born c1902 and, Alma (Alva or Ava?), born c1903.

Child number nine was Clark W., born May, 1905, died Jul., 1974 at Richmond.  Clark married Zelma Lee Marshall of Madison Co. in c1925.  There were at least two children:  Louise, born c1927 and William J., born c1927.  William died in Sep. 2000 at Madison Co. and is buried at Richmond cemetery.  Zelma died in Sep., 1984 and is buried with Clark at Richmond.

George P, born in Aug., 1906, was next born.  He married a lady whose surname was possibly Wren, given name Hazel.  George died rather suddenly in June, 1930 while living with Hazel at Duncanon in Madison Co.  They had one son, Kenneth B., born c1929.  George is buried at Fairview cemetery in Conway, Rockcastle Co., KY.  In 1940 Kenneth was residing with some Wren relatives, headed by Arthur Wren, an uncle, in Rockcastle Co.  Hazel likely remarried or died but I have not been able to locate her after 1930.

The last two children were Robert H., born Mar., 1908, died Nov., 1991 and, Beulah B., born Mar., 1910, died Oct., 1997.  Both married but I have not yet been able to locate family information.

Additions and corrections welcomed.

Jack

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*unsourced
**"Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979, 1839-1960".  Groom's Name: John D. Coffey Bride's Name: Maggie A. Walton Marriage Date: 10 Oct 1889 Marriage Place: Irvine, Estill, Kentucky Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M01192-6 System Origin: Kentucky-EASy Source Film Number: 1760330 Reference Number: p 146
***John Adams first married Mary Ann Alcorn, daughter of Albert Gilbert Alcorn and Matilda Coffey another daughter of Colby.  Mary Ann died c1888 in Estill Co. after birthing five children:  Etta Bell, William Henry, John H. and Anna.  John's second wife was Elizabeth Jane with whom he had Sarah, Nannie, Mary Grace and James B.  More info is available.

John W. Coffey of Nelson Co., VA

A John W. Coffey, born in Jun., 1869 in Nelson Co. appeared in the Rockfish Dist., Nelson Co., VA census from 1900 through 1930*.  His named wife in each record was Ella J., born in May 1869.  I have been unable to find them in 1920.

I believe this John W. was a son of Wesley Robert and Elizabeth A. Coffey Coffey.

Through the years John W. and Ella had, as best as I can determine without the 1920 census, children: William Jasper, born Feb. 27, 1888; Donnie M., born Feb., 1890; Rodes [sic] A., born Apr., 1895; Lacy R., born Sep., 1897; Samuel P., born Apr. 1900; Lora I., born c1901; Annie R., born c1905; Rushie L., born c1908; Ruby A., born c1910; and John J., born c1912.

I have not yet been able to determine what happened to the majority of their children.  I have found William Jasper who married Lillian Marshall c1912.  Lillian was the daughter of James and Elvira (Taylor?) Marshall of the Rockfish Dist and who were neighbors of John W. and Ella Coffey in the 1900 Rockfish Dist. census.

In 1920 William Jasper and Lillian lived with her parents in the Rockfish Dist.  When he registered for the WW1 draft on Jun. 5, 1917, William worked as a brakeman for the C&O RR out of Charlottsville, VA.  When he was enumerated in the 1920 census he was a conductor.  The only child I have found is Walter N., born c1913.

The other John W. and Ella child I have found is Lora I., born c1901 in Nelson Co.  She married Herman Norwood Coffey on Oct. 8, 1922** in Waynesboro, VA.  Herman - he seems to have gone by Norwood at least some of the time - was a son of Nicholas A. and Viola M. Coffey Coffey.  Nicholas, John W. and Viola were all cousins, many times over.  In 1930 the Norwood and Lora were living in the Rockfish Dist. with her parents.

Drop me an e-mail if you can fill in any blanks.

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*1900 Nelson Co., Rockfish Dist., ED88, Sheet 10B, dwelling 182, family 187, Coffee [sic], John W., head, white male, born Jun., 1869, age 30, married 13 yrs., born VA, parents born VA, farmer; Ella J., wife, white female, born May 1869, age 31, married 13 yrs., mother of 6, 5 living, born VA, parents born VA; Jasper W., son, white male, born Feb. 1888, age 12, born VA; Donnie M., son, white male, born Feb., 1890. age 10; Rodes A., son, white male, born Apr., 1895, age 5, born VA; Lacy R., son, white male, born Sep. 1897, age 2, born VA; Samuel P., son, white male, born Apr., 1900 age 1 mo., born VA


1910 Nelson Co., Rockfish Dist., ED103, Sheet 17A, dwelling.family 313, Coffee [sic], John W., head, male, white, age 39, married once for 23 yrs., born VA, parents born VA, farmer; Ella J., wife, female, white, age 39, married once for 23 yrs., mother of 9, 8 living, born VA, parents born VA; Donnie M., son, male, white, age 16, single, born VA, home farm labor; Rodes H., son, male, white, age 14, single, born VA, home farm labor; Lacy R., son, male, white, age 12, born VA; Samuel P., son, male, white, age 10, born VA; Annie R., dau., female, white, age 5, born VA; Rushey L., dau., female, white, age 2, born VA


1930 Nelson Co., Rockfish Dist., ED8, Sheet 9B-10A, Afton, VA, dwelling 184, family 185, Coffey, John W., head, male, white, age 58, married at age 17, born VA, parents born VA, farming; Ella J., wife, female, white, age 59, married at age 18, born VA, parents born VA; Coffey, Norwood, s-in-law, male, white, age 28, married at age 24, born VA, parents born VA, farm worker; Lora M., dau., female, white, age 25, married at age 21, born VA; Ruby A., dau., female, white, age 20, single, born VA; Coffey, Rushie L., dau., female, white, age 20, single, born VA; John J., son, male, white, age 18, single, born VA

**Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940 at www.familysearch.org.

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