William Webster Davis and his two Coffey wives

William Webster Davis was born Jan. 26, 1837 in Amherst Co., VA and died there on Apr. 10, 1909. He first married Sarah Jane Coffey c1860 in Amherst Co. This union produced two sons, John, born c1861 and Henry c1863. Sarah likely died in childbirth because she disappeared immediately after Henry's birth.

Sarah Jane was the daughter of John Jack and Elizabeth Susan Duff Coffey. John Jack and Henry, father of William Davis' second wife, Avarila Coffey, were brothers. John Jack and Henry were sons of Jordan Coffey.

William married Avarila Coffey on Sep. 14, 1865 in Pedlar Dist., Amherst Co. She was born Mar. 2, 1846 to Henry F. and Elizabeth (Betsy) McDaniel Coffey. Henry is often thought of as a son of Jordan and Elizabeth Rippetoe Coffey, but may have been the son of one of Jordan's daughters out of wedlock.

John Taylor, a Coffeytown researcher, had this to say about Henry:

"...although Henry Coffey shows for the first time in the 1850 Census as the head of a household, he may have been one of 2 boys his age living with Jordan and Elizabeth in 1840. According to Census reports, Henry was born around 1817. He married, at the age of 31, Elizabeth (McDaniel) (Ogden) Coffey, who was slightly older than Henry, and she had several children of her own from a previous marriage to Zachariah Ogden. Henry seems to have acted as guardian to her older children and they took his surname, at least for the census reports, but, except for Paulin, they are believed to have used their own surnames later. Henry F. Coffey died 10 June 1871 of Colic, in Amherst County, according to the Amherst County death records. The information on the death record, including naming his parents as Charles and Jane Coffey of Nelson County, was given by Henry's son, Henry L. Coffey. His place of burial is unknown, but is probably up on the hill behind Embree Crawford's house [Coffeytown], in an unmarked grave, perhaps with Elizabeth."

William and Sarah's children were John Davis, born c1861, and Henry, born c1863.

Children by Avarila were:

Virginia Anne (Jenny) Davis, born 1866, died 1941. She married Arthur Coffey, a once removed first cousin and son of William (Billy) and Sarah G. (Sally) Crawford Coffey. Billy was a son of Jordan and Elizabeth.

Arthur Coffey

Arthur and Jenny's children were: Hallie Pearl, born c1881, married John Houston Crawford; Hiram Randolph, born Feb. 26, 1886, died Sep. 17, 1924, married Susie A. Catlett; Mabel Irene, born Jan. 3, 1885, married Emmett Boyd Humphries; Ernest Webster, born Feb. 5, 1888, died 1982, married Ethel McClung Stratton, daughter of George Baxter and Elianna [Eleanor?] Coffey. Elianna was the daughter of Charles Edward and Sarah Jane Ogden Coffey.

The next child born to Arthur and Jenny was Alma Gertrude, born c1891, married Thomas Powell Crawford; Fletcher Beadles, born Oct. 3, 1893, died Aug. 11, 1975, married Maggie Lee Harris; Mina Lee, born Jan. 10, 1895, died Feb. 1, 1979, married first to Thompson Massie Davis; second to James William Gibson.

Sally, born c1897, followed Mina. She married first Wallace Earl Palmer and second, Glenn Wyatt; Leonard Carlyle, born May 13, 1903, died Aug. 23, 1959, married Mary Elsie Coffey, a daughter of Hiter Webster and Mary Higginbotham Coffey. Hiter was also a son of Charles Edward and Sarah Jane Ogden Coffey.



Leonard Carlyle and Mary Elsie Coffey Coffey

The last child of Arthur and Virginia was Essie Rose, born Apr. 4, 1907, died Jun. 19, 1999. She married Emmett Lewis Sale.

The remaining children of William Webster and Avarila Coffey Davis were:

Ida Penn, born c1867; Cornelia Catherine, born c1869, married Thomas H. McDaniel; Elizabeth Pendleton, born about Apr. 1870; Amanda Ellen, born c1873; Houston Carlyle, born c1874; Mary Lee, born c1877; Callie Tucker, born Sep. 1881; Tully Ashby, born Mar. 8, 1883; Chester Cleveland, born Jan. 11, 1885; Royal Wilbur, born Oct. 10, 1886; and Edna Belle, born Apr., 1891.

Please contact me at the above e-mail address with additions and/or corrections.

Benjamin J. Coffey and Candis W. Coffey

Benjamin was born c1813 in Virginia and, married Candis W. Coffey, born c1814, on Jan. 28, 1836 in Nelson Co., VA. [Early American Marriages: Virginia to 1850; Benjamin Coffey Candis W. Coffey 28 Jan 1836 Nelson] His parents are unknown.

Candis' father is also unknown; her mother was Nancy Coffey, daughter of William Coffey, Jr., and Mary (Polly) Rippetoe. William, Jr. comes from John Coffey and Jane Graves through their son William, Sr.

Another of William Sr. daughters is Jane who is thought to be the mother of Jordan Coffey who settled Coffeytown in Amherst Co., VA. She later married Benjamin Hawkins Fitzgerald.

Nancy apparently bore at least two other daughters out of wedlock: Sophia, born c1815 and Ann, birth date unknown.

Known children of Benjamin and Candis are:

Peter, born c1839
Susan, born c1842
Sarah A., born c1844, married A. N. North on 23 Oct. 1866 in Nelson Co. [Nelson Co. Book 2, Page 16, Line 70]
Paulina M., born c1848, married J. J. Fonkhoutzer in Dec., 1880, Nelson Co. [Nelson Co. Book 2, Page 46, Line 111]
George W., born 20 Jun 1858, died Aug. 26, 1937, Nelson Co.; married Mary E. Saunders Feb. 1, 1885 [Nelson Co. Book 2, Page 58, Line 9]
Elizabeth (Betty), born c1857, married J. N. Adams Dec. 20, 1881. [Nelson Co. Book 2, Page 48, Line 80]

Please contact me if you can identify the parents of Benjamin and/or the father of Candis.

Henry Moses Coffey of Rockbridge Co., VA

Henry Moses Coffey was born Sep. 20, 1869 in Nelson Co., VA to Alfred and Martha Ann Bradley Coffey. Alfred was the son of Garland and Nancy Coffey Coffey. I have not yet found a death date for Henry Moses.

Henry was married four times. His first marriage was to Julie C. Hymen on Nov. 14, 1889; second to Eva Ramsey on Oct. 26, 1898; third to Alice Ward on Jan. 9, 1904; and finally to Mary Ellena (Mollie) Oliver c1915. He fathered children by wife two through four. His first wife probably died in childbirth.

After studying census records, this is how I think the family shakes out. Please let me know at the above e-mail address of any corrections or additions.

Descendants of Henry Moses COFFEY - May 16, 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First Generation

1. Henry Moses COFFEY was born in Nelson Co, VA on Sep 20, 1869. Henry was the son of Alfred and Martha Ann Bradley Coffey.

Henry Moses COFFEY and Julie C. HYMEN were married on Nov 14, 1889. Julie C. HYMEN [No further information has been found]

Henry Moses COFFEY and Eva RAMSEY were married on Oct 26, 1898. They appeared in the census on Jun 6, 1900 in Walkers Creek, Rockbridge Co., VA.1 Eva RAMSEY was born on Oct 26, 1898. Henry Moses COFFEY and Eva RAMSEY had the following children:

i. Katie L. COFFEY was born in Rockbridge Co., VA in May 1900. On Jun 6, 1900 she lived in Walkers Creek, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with her parents. On Apr 28, 1910 she lived in Walker Creek, Rockbridge Co., VA as a niece in the household with the Jarvis family.
ii. David H. COFFEY was born in Rockbridge Co., VA about 1903. On Apr 28, 1910 he lived in Walker Creek, Rockbridge Co., VA as a nephew in the household with the Jarvis family. On Jan 19, 1920 he lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with his father and step-mother.

Henry Moses COFFEY and Alice WARD were married on Jan 9, 1904. They appeared in the census on Apr 28, 1910 in Walker Creek, Rockbridge Co., VA.2 Alice WARD [No further information has been found] Henry Moses COFFEY and Alice WARD had the following children:

2 i. Etta R. COFFEY, born on Feb 21, 1910, Rockbridge Co., VA3; married John W. MEEKS; married Eddie C. GILBERT, on Jan 1, 1940; died on Jan 15, 2006, Buena Vista City, Rockbridge Co., Natural Bridge Dist., VA3.
ii. Martha C. COFFEY was born in Rockbridge Co., VA about 1912. On Jan 19, 1920 she lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with her father and step-mother.

Henry Moses COFFEY and Mary Ellena (Mollie) OLIVER were married about 1915 in Virginia. They appeared in the census on Jan 19, 1920 in Buena Vista City, Rockbridge Co., VA.,4 and the census on Apr 14, 1930 in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA.5 Mary Ellena (Mollie) OLIVER was born in Virginia about 1892. Henry Moses COFFEY and Mary Ellena (Mollie) OLIVER had the following children:

i. Maxie D. COFFEY was born in Rockbridge Co., VA about Feb 1916. On Jan 19, 1920 he lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with his parents. On Apr 14, 1930 he lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with his parents.
ii. Georgie L. COFFEY was born in Rockbridge Co., VA about Feb 1919. On Jan 19, 1920 she lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with her parents. On Apr 14, 1930 she lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with her parents.
iii. Robert COFFEY was born in Rockbridge Co., VA about 1921. On Apr 14, 1930 he lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with his parents.
3 iv. Hansford Samuel COFFEY, born about 1922, Rockbridge Co., VA; married Thelma KESTERSON; died on May 6, 1947, Nicholas Co., WV6.
v. Voit [?] COFFEY was born in Rockbridge Co., VA about 1923. On Apr 14, 1930 he lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with his parents.
vi. Elizabeth COFFEY was born in Rockbridge Co., VA about 1925. On Apr 14, 1930 she lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with her parents.
vii. Henry Moses COFFEY Jr. was born in Rockbridge Co., VA about May 1927. On Apr 14, 1930 he lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with his parents.
viii. Joyce J. COFFEY was born in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA on Feb 23, 1933.3 She died in Roanoke City, VA on Feb 12, 2003 .3 She was buried on Feb 15, 2003 in Green Hill Cemetery, Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA.3



Second Generation

2. Etta R. COFFEY (Henry Moses-1) was born in Rockbridge Co., VA on Feb 21, 1910.3 On Apr 28, 1910 she lived in Walker Creek, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with her parents. On Jan 19, 1920 she lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with her father and step-mother. She died in Buena Vista City, Rockbridge Co., Natural Bridge Dist., VA on Jan 15, 2006 .3 She was buried on Jan 18, 2006 in Green Hill Cemetery, Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA.3

Etta R. COFFEY and John W. MEEKS were married. John W. MEEKS [No further information has been found] Etta R. COFFEY and John W. MEEKS had the following children:

i. Mary MEEKS [No further information has been found]
ii. Della MEEKS [No further information has been found]
iii. Peggy MEEKS [No further information has been found]
iv. Barbara MEEKS [No further information has been found]

Etta R. COFFEY and Eddie C. GILBERT were married on Jan 1, 1940. Eddie C. GILBERT [No further information has been found] Etta R. COFFEY and Eddie C. GILBERT had the following children:

i. Claude E. GILBERT [No further information has been found]

3. Hansford Samuel COFFEY (Henry Moses-1) was born in Rockbridge Co., VA about 1922. On Apr 14, 1930 he lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with his parents. He died in Nicholas Co., WV on May 6, 1947 .6

Hansford Samuel COFFEY and Thelma KESTERSON were married. Thelma KESTERSON [No further information has been found]

Sources

1. United States Federal Census. Original data: United States Federal Census for years indicated. 1900 Rockbridge Co., Walkers Creek, ED105, Sheet 3B, dwelling 50, family 52, Coffee [sic], Henry M., head, white male, born Sep 1870, age 29, single [sic], born VA, parents born VA, farmer; Eva, wife, white female, born Oct., 1876, age 23, single [sic], mother of 1, 1 living, born VA, parents born VA; Katie L., dau., white female, born May 1900, age 0 mos., born VA, parents born VA; Arthers, Walter, Servant, white male, born Jul., 1895, age 5, born VA, parents born VA; Coffee [sic] Lacy, brother, white male, born Sep. 1884, age 35, single, born VA, parents born VA.
2. Ibid., 1910 Rockbridge Co., Walker Creek, ED117, Sheet 9B, dwelling 163, family 170, Coffey, Henry M., head, male, white, age 43, married 3 times, this time for 5 yrs., born VA, parents born VA, farmer; S. Allice, wife, female, white, age 22, married once for 5 yrs., mother of 3, 1 living, born VA, parents born VA; Etta R., dau., female, white, age 2, born VA; family 171, Jarvis, Charlie N., head, male, white, age 43, married once for 22 yrs., born VA, parents born VA, farm laborer; Eliza A., wife, female, white, age 44, married once for 22 yrs., mother of 4, 4 living, born VA, parents born VA; Howard N., son, male, white, age 17, single, born VA; Lula M., dau., female, white, age 15, single, born VA; Lennie S., dau., female, white, age 10, single, born VA; Coffey, Katie E., niece, female, white, age 9, born VA; Coffey, David H., nephew, male, white, age 7, born VA.
3. Information from obituary.
4. United States Federal Census. Original data: United States Federal Census for years indicated. 1920 Rockbridge Co., Buena Vista City, Ward 2, ED74, Sheet 22B, dwelling 415, family 312, Coffey, Henry M., head, male, white, age 51, married, born VA, parents born VA, boiler engineer on ore and iron furnace; Mollie L., wife, female, white, age 28, married, born VA, parents born VA; David H., son, male, white, age 17, single, born VA; Etta R., dau., female, white, age 10, single, born VA; Martha C., dau., female, white, age 8, single, born VA; Maxie D., son, male, white, age 3 yrs., 11 mos., born VA; Georgie L., dau., female, white, age 11 mos., born VA.
5. Ibid., 1930 Rockbridge Co., Buena Vista independant city, ED2, Sheet 16A, 29th St., dwelling 308, family 341, Coffey, Henry M., head, male, white, age 60, married first at age 21, born VA, parents born VA, laborer at odd jobs; Mary, wife, female, white, age 41, married first at age 23, born VA, parents born VA, Hodges, William, son-in-law, male, white, age 19, married at age 18, born VA, parents born VA, laborer at odd jobs; Ada, dau., female, white, age 19, married at age 19, born VA, parents born VA; May, g-dau., female, white, age 10 mos., born VA, parents born VA; Coffey, Maxie, son, male, white, age 14, born VA; Robert, son, male, white, age 9, born VA; Hasford [?], son, male, white, age 8, born VA; Voit, son, male, white, age 7, born VA; Elizabeth, dau., female, white, age 5, born VA; Henry M., Jr., son, male, white, age 2 yrs., 5 mos., born VA. [The daughter Ada is probably Martha].
6. Family Search Labs Record Search, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints online [http://search.labs.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html?datestamp=1206010271812], accessed Various. Name : Hansford Samuel Coffey Death date : 06 May 1947 Death place : Nicholas, West Virginia Gender : Male Age at death : 25 years 9 months 3 days Birth date : 1922 Birth place : Marital status : Married Spouse name : Thelma Kesterson Father name : Henry Moses Coffey Father birth place : Mother name : Mary Ellena Oliver Film number : 1983942 Digital GS number : 4260152 Image number : 357 Reference number : 9348 Source : Statewide Collection : West Virginia Deaths 1853-1970.

Peter Virgil (Squire) Coffey

Peter Virgil (Squire) Coffey was a son of Charles B. and Theodora Everette Coffey. In most census records, Theodora's given name is unreadable, but seems to confirm that it was Theodora. However, it was given as Ophelia in Squire's obituary.

Squire was born on Jun. 15, 1849 in Nelson Co., VA and died on May 21, 1937 in Stuarts Draft, Augusta Co., VA. He married Betty Catherine Kennedy on Dec. 24, 1879 in Augusta Co. They lived in that county all of their married life, and raised all of their children there.

His obituary:

STUARTS DRAFT, May 28-, -- Peter V. Coffey, peacefully passed to his heavenly home, at his residence at Stuarts Draft at one a. m. Friday, May 21, 1937, after an illness of about a month. He was born in Nelson county June 15, 1849, of Scottish descent, his father having been Charles Coffey and his mother Ophelia Coffey (nee Everet). He moved to Augusta county when a young man and spent the rest of his long and useful life in, and in the vicinity of Stuarts Draft where he engaged in farming, lumbering, etc. For the last twenty years of his life he was justice of the peace and was known as "Squire Coffey."

Mr. Coffey was united in marriage to Miss Bettie Catherine Kennedy, of Augusta county, Dec. 24, 1879. To this marriage were born four daughters and five sons. His wife, who passed away June 17, 1930, and a son and two daughters preceded him in death. Children survive: J. E. and J. L., of Mint Spring; the Rev. H. S., pastor of Granbery Memorial M. E. church, South, Covington; Mrs. M. E. Elliott, Staunton; Russel E., Bluefield, W. Va., and Mrs. Roy Black, Stuarts Draft, who tenderly cared for him after the death of Mrs. Coffey.

Mr. Coffey united with the Baptist church in early life, but many years ago transferred his membership to the M. E. church, South, in which he was an efficient and faithful member and held an official relation for many years, having been a delegate frequently to the annual and district conferences and was a member of the board of stewards of Calvary church at the time of his death. He was interested in the work of his adopted church until his death, often inquiring about the progress of the work through his pastor and others. He spoke of death as one who was preparing for a pleasant journey. Death did not hold any terrors to him. He had implicit faith in God for the forgiveness of sin through the atonement of Jesus Christ. He loved his church and the ministry of his church; always was ready to speak a good word about the former pastors of his church. He dearly loved his children and was held in the highest esteem and devotion by his children and his grandchildren, of which he had a number. Mr. Coffey had been a prominent figure in his community for many years, in his church, in business, in clean politics, and in everything that was for the betterment of humanity.

His funeral service was conducted from Calvary church Sunday, May 23, at three p. m. by his pastor, the Rev. A. Van Devander, as-sisted by Dr. E. L. Woolf, pastor of the Harrisonburg M. E. church, South; the Rev. H. W. Craver, pastor of Greenville M. E. church, South, and the Rev. T. H. Campbell, pastor of Stuarts Draft Baptist church. His body was tenderly laid at rest in the cemetery adjoining Calvary church. It is said by some that his funeral was attended by the largest concourse of people that ever assembled at Calvary church. Less than half of the people could get in the church.

At his own request the stewards of Calvary church were the active pallbearers: J. T. Almarode, Alden D. Rader, A. G. Painter, C. L. Dodge, I. F. Fitzgerald, H. L. Henkel, W. Y. Boyd, E. M. Conner, and Layton Thacker.

The following hymns were sung: "The Solid Rock," "Home of the Soul," as a solo and "How Firm a Foundation." His pastor chose as his theme, "God's Harvest Home;" text, "Thou shalt come to thy grave in full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season," Job 5:26.

Their children were:

Charles Franklin Coffey, born Jan., 1876

John Emmett Coffey, born May 9, 1877, died Nov. 5, 1942.

His obituary:

Obituary, a Staunton newspaper, Nov., 1942

John Emmett Coffey, sixty-five, died at eleven o’clock Thursday morning following a three hours illness. Mr. Coffey had gone to his work at the State highway camp near Greenville and suffered a stroke shortly after arriving. He was taken to the home of his daughter, Mrs. W. C. Yowell, where he died. Mr. Coffey was born in Augusta county May 9, 1877 and was the son of Peter V. and Betty Kennedy Coffey. He spent his entire life in the county, and for thirteen years was connected with the County Highway department, after which he went with the State Highway department. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Melissa Coffey; two daughter, Miss Inez Elizabeth Coffey, of Stuarts Draft; Mrs. W. C. Yowell, of Greenville; one son, Rudolph W. Coffey at home; six grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. M. E. Elliott, of Staunton, Mrs. R. H. Black, of Stuarts Draft; two brothers, Russell E. Coffey, of Bluefield, W. Va., and the Rev. Dr. Harry S. Coffey, of Danville, Va.

Funeral Saturday.

The funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at three o’clock from the Mint Spring Methodist church of which he was a member, conducted by the pastor, the Rev. Z. V. Johnson. Burial will be in Calvary church cemetery. Active pallbearers will be W. P. Jennings, L. A. Campbell, Roy Glenn, P. G. Nuchols, Wallace Rosen, Charles Tyree, William Chandler, Walter Carrier, Ernest Coiner, and W. H. Agnor. Honorary pallbearers will be Russell Swisher, Roy Kesterson, Lewis Arehart, Mr. Proffitt, William Ramsey, W. L. Helmick, Wallace Hayes, Herman Coyner, W. H. Roadcap, Bedford Curry, A. Miller, Stuart Benson, Frank Glenn, Dr. W. C. Roller, E. J. Eavers and Mr. Cummings.

James Leonard, born Nov. 11, 1879, Augusta Co., died Jul. 14, 1941, Mint Spring, Augusta Co. He married Bertie May Shue on Dec. 24, 1900 in Augusta Co. Bertie was born in May, 1881 to John W. and Elizabeth S. Alvis Shue.

His obituary:

Obituary, a Staunton newspaper, Jul., 1941

JAMES L. COFFEY DIES AFTER BRIEF ILLNESS

James Leonard Coffey died Monday afternoon at five o'clock at his home in Mint Spring after being ill since Saturday night.

He was born at Stuarts Draft, on Nov. 11, 1879, and was a son of the late P. V. Coffey and Mrs. Betty Catherine Coffey. He has made his home at Mint Spring for many years where he was an active merchant and farmer. He was a man of sterling character and was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him, taking an active part in all community affairs and lending a helping hand to anyone who wished his advice or help in any way.

He has been a member of Mint Springs Methodist church for thirty five years. During his active membership he served in many capacities, including steward, superintendent of the Sunday school for many years, and a teacher of Ladies' Bible class.

He is survived by wife, Mrs. Bertie May Coffey, three daughters; Mrs. B. H. Hudson of Orange, Mrs. H. S. Strawn of Gary, Ind., and Mrs. J. Ray Strawn of Birmingham, Ala.; three sons: Paul H. Coffey of Roanoke, James A. Coffey of Palmyra, and Richmond Lee Coffey of Mint Spring; two sisters; Mrs. M. E. Elliott of Staunton, and Mrs. Roy Black of Stuarts Draft; three brothers, J. Emmett Coffey of Mint Spring, Dr. H. S. Coffey of Roanoke, and R. E. Coffey of Bluefield, W. Va. Three grandchildren also survive.

The funeral will be held Wed-nesday afternoon at two o'clock from Mint Spring Methodist church. The Rev. Z. V. Johnson, pastor, will officiate.

Place of internment will be announced later.

Bessie Brown Coffey, born Jan. 1, 1882

Harry Scott Coffey, born Dec. 6, 1889

Annie Bell Coffey, born c1890

Mary Sue Coffey, born Dec., 1892

Russell E. Coffey, born c1894. He married Ada C. Holtz c1908 in Virginia. Their children were Helen L., born c1911; Russell Lee, born c1916, and Marjorie Elizabeth, born Oct. 5, 1923, died Mar. 27, 2006.

Marjorie's obituary:

Obituary, Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV, Mar. 30, 2006

Miss Marjorie Elizabeth Coffey

ROANOKE, Va. — Miss Marjorie Elizabeth Coffey, 82, formerly of 3009 Bluefield Ave., Bluefield, died Monday, March 27, 2006 in a Roanoke nursing home.

Born Oct. 5, 1923 in Bluefield, she was a daughter of the late Russell E. and Ada C. Holtz Coffey. Miss Coffey was a member of the St. Mary's Episcopal Church of Bluefield, Va. and a graduate of Bluefield College. She was formerly employed at Bluefield Optical as an office manager.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother: Russell Lee Coffey, and sister: Helen Bone.

Survivors include a niece; Nancy Arwood of Kentucky and several cousins.

Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 1, 2006 from the Maple Park Cemetery located in Bluefield with the Rev. Russ Hatfield officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations if desired, may be made to the Mercer County Humane Society, 1003 Shelter Rd., Princeton, WV 24740.

Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages may do so by visiting www.mercerfuneralhome.com

Mercer Funeral Home and Crematory of Bluefield is serving the Marjorie Coffey family.

Ruby Lee Coffey, born Jun. 23, 1895, died Jul. 6, 1991. She married Roy Hamilton Black, born c1894 in VA, died c1916 in VA. Their children were Inez, born c1916, and Sherwood, born c1926.

Ruby's obituary:

Obituary, The Staunton News Leader, 8 Jul 1991.

Mrs. Ruby Lee (Coffey) Black 96, widow of Roy Hamilton Black, and formerly of Churchville Ave., died at 10:20 p.m. Saturday (July 6, 1991) in the Liberty House Nursing Home, Waynesboro after a three month illness. She was born on June 21, 1895, in Augusta County, a daughter of the late Peter V. and Betty (Kennedy) Coffey. Mrs. Black was retired from the Leggett Department Stores with 17 years service. She was the oldest active member of Calvary United Methodist Church, Stuarts Draft, and was a member of the Staunton Senior Citizens. Mrs. Black's husband preceded her in death on March 16,1951. Survivors include a son, H. Sherwood Black, of Stuarts Draft; a daughter, Ms. Margaret A. Black, of Staunton; 5 grandchildren; 8 great- grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. Mrs. Black was the last surviving member of her immediate family. A service will be conducted at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Calvary United Methodist Church by the Rev. Dr. Roy O. Creech and Rev. Kenneth B. Frank. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Bruce Frank, Dr. J.W. Forbes III, Walton Henkel, Jack Crummett, Ralph Weaver and Jack Clem. Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby Clark, Doug Hanger, Eddie Eavers, Earl Fitzgerald, John Wood, Bob Puffenbarger, B.G. Fitzgerald Jr., Elliott Boyd, Billy Dameron, Dr. Dennis Hatter and Don Crosier. The family will receive friends this evening from 7 until 8 p.m. in the Henry Funeral Home and other times at the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. Linda Harris, 55 George St., Staunton or the home of H. Sherwood Black, Rt. 1, Stuarts Draft. It is suggested that those desiring may make memorial donations to Calvary United Methodist Church P.O. Box 95, Stuarts Draft, Va. 24477.

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

David Garland Coffey (1857-??)

David Garland Coffey was born Nov., 1857 in Nelson Co., VA, the son of William and Mary C. Ramsey Coffey. He was the third of nine children born to the union of William and Mary, who were married1 on Jan. 3, 1853 in Nelson Co. The only other child of William that we know anything about now is Jesse Milton, born c1858. More about him in a later report.

David Garland married Peter Alice Demasters (var.), daughter of Peter and Mary (Polly) Monroe Demasters. Peter Alice was born in Nelson Co., VA in Feb., 18622, and died Mar. 31, 19382 in that county.

David and Peter Alice had at least nine children. In the 1900 Nelson Co., VA census3 Alice reported that she was the mother of 8 children, and that 8 were living. However, only 7 children were enumerated in the family that year. Those were: William Peter, Ana B., Ellis, Johnnie, George, Nelson and Lena. Missing was Woody, thought to have been born c1887, and Massie, who was born after the census was enumerated.

The only child of David for whom we have any descendant information is Nelson Lee Coffey, born Feb. 20, 1896 in Nelson Co., and died Dec. 20, 19292 in Augusta Co., VA. He married Lucy Margaret Mutherspaw c1911-12. She was born c1898 in Rockbridge Co., VA, and died in 19472 in Staunton Co., VA.

Together, they had 7 children: Odie James, born Jun. 27, 1913, died Oct. 27, 19744; Anna Mae, born Nov. 7, 1919, died Apr. 12, 19712; Clyde, born c1921; Linwood, born Feb. 9,, 1924, died Apr., 19824; Charles Lee, born Sep. 10, 1926, died Nov. 23, 20022,4; Frank, dates unknown; and Ida Belle, born c1930.

When Nelson died in 1929, some of the children went to an orphanage. Anna Mae, Linwood and Ida Belle were sent to the "Oakdale Home" in Augusta Co. They are found there in the 19305 census, enumerated as "inmates" and "farm laborers" in a household headed by Oliver Robertson. Oliver's wife Carrie was listed as the county probation officer.

Linwood died in April 1982 at Alexandria, Fairfax Co., VA.4 Odie James died at Staunton, VA on Oct. 27, 1974.4

Little is known about the children with the exception of Charles Lee. He married Mabel Cornelia Benson in Jan., 1946, and died on Nov. 23, 2002 in Stuarts Draft, Augusta Co., VA.2 From that union 6 children were born: Mae Cornelia, Jean Carol, Constance Lee2, Charles Lee, Jr., Anthony Frank, and Barbara Ellen.

Researchers seeking the Nelson Lee Coffey family, or those wishing to make corrections and/or additions may write to me.

Additional information concerning other descendants of David Garland Coffey would be welcomed.












1 Nelson Co. marriage records: License date: 3 Jan 1852, marriage date Jan. 1853 (day not
given); security not given
2 Connie Coffey Dorsey, Fairfield, VA, e-mail to Jack Coffee, Dec. 2004-Jan. 2005
3 1900 Nelson Co., Massies Mill, ED86, Sheet 11B, dwelling/family 164
4 Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File
5 1930 Augusta Co., Riverheads, ED14, Oakdale Home