Willie Newton Coffey

There is no doubt that Willie Newton Coffey was a son of Mathew and Emily Troxell Coffey.

Willie was born in Kentucky in 1903, probably in Wayne Co.  He was in that county in 1910.  In 1920 he and his family lived in McCreary Co.  

Mathew, the father, was born to Henry Baker Coffey and Sarah Elizabeth Dobbs in June of 1875, married Emily, a daughter of Jacob and Salena Steel Troxell in about 1896.

Between Oct., 1896 and Jan., 1917 Emily and Mathew had at least six children. They were: Sarah Jane; William "Willie"; Salena, who is said to have married Lark Bell in about 1924; Sallie; Ed Lincoln, born 1911, married Edna Hatfield; and Goldman, born in 1917.

Willie is something of an enigma.  I write that with some misgivings because he may have been no puzzle at all over his lifetime* and did not try to hide from the law.

A newspaper article appeared in the Lexington  (KY) Herald in July, 1946 announcing the arrest of Willie Newton Coffey in Birmingham, AL for killing his father, Mathew Coffey, in Wayne County in 1928.  It was reported that "shortly before the elder Coffey was slain, his son had escaped from a Wayne county jail where he had been held on a "drunkenness charge."  

That was the first and last article that I have been able to find in any KY newspaper so it is not possible for me to tell you if he was tried, convicted and jailed, or if found innocent or not guilty of his father's death.

News Item, The Lexington Herald, Lexington, KY, Thu., Jul. 11, 1946, Page 9, Col. 4

Arrest Suspect in 1928 Patricide

Monticello, Ky., July 10 (AP) - County Judge S. E. Anderson announced today the arrest of Willie Newton Coffey, 44, wanted in Wayne county for the past 17 1/2 years in connection with the slaying of his father.

Judge Anderson said Coffey was picked up on a disorderly conduct charge at Tarrant, Ala., a Birmingham suburb.  He said Birmingham police notified Wayne county officials that Coffey admitted he fatally shot his father, Matthew Coffey, in 1928.

"Coffey hadn't been seen in Wayne county since then," declared the judge, adding that a murder indictment had been returned in March, 1929, against Coffey.

The judge said Sheriff J. J. Gibson would go to Frankfort, probably Thursday, to get a requisition for the extradition of Coffey from Alabama to Wayne county.

Judge Anderson said that shortly before the elder Coffey was slain, his son had escaped from jail where he had been held on a drunkenness charge.  The judge said Coffey had been quoted as saying he fired as his father was about to attack his mother.

What I do know is in 1930 a William Coffee [sic] appeared in the McDowell Co., WV census with Minnie Jane Carter Coffee.  He was 26 years-old; Minnie was also 26.  With them was Helen Blaylock, a five year-old step-daughter to Willie.  Willie was employed as a coal digger.

There is a 1938 marriage license in  McDowell Co. that tells us he and Minnie were married on Oct. 14 of that year.  The application tells us that he was born in Crossville, TN, and named his parents as George and Mary Coffey**.  Minnie named her parents as Ernest and India Carter.

The 1940 census for Birmingham, Jefferson Co., AL includes William [sic] and Minnie as well as Gladus [sic], a daughter, age 8, born WV; Hershel, a son, age 7, born WV; and William J., a son aged eight months, born in AL.  The step-daughter Helen was no longer with the family.  

Gladys, born in Matewan, Mingo Co., WV, had at least three children:  Lynda Sue Coffey, born KY in 1950; Glynda Gaye, born 1955 in Birmingham and Viola Coffey, born 1965 in McCreary Co.  Glynda Faye died by drowning in 1970 at Birmingham where she had been taken by her grandfather, Willie Coffey to visit relatives.  The obituary reports she was survived by sisters Viola and Lynda as well as a half-brother, Robert Lee Pearson, all of Stearns, KY.

Willie died in Jan., 1973 in McCreary Co. and was buried at Sherd Dobbs Cemetery in Whitley City.

Minnie died Feb. 7, 1986 at Somerset in Pulaski Co., KY.  She was 84 years-old.  Her obituary reports that she was the daughter of Lee and India Carter.  Her husband, William "Willie" Coffey preceded her in death in 1972.  A daughter, Helen Thompson, granddaughter Glynda Coffey, two brothers, Robert and Walter Carter and one sister, Gertrude Sloan also preceded her in death.  She was survived by children Herschel Coffey and Elsie Reynolds of Birmingham, AL; William, Jr. of Wayne Co., KY; Gladys Coffey and Lynda Dobbs of Sterns and a brother, Ray of WV.

Minnie is also buried at Sherd Dobbs.

Comments, corrections and additions welcomed.

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*Apparently, the law was not actively searching for Willie from 1928 until 1946 for killing his father.  It was only after he was arrested near Birmingham for "disorderly conduct" in 1946 and perhaps volunteering information about killing his father that he was returned to Wayne County to face the law.  Certainly, with all of the people who went back and forth between KY and WV to work in the coal mines, someone would have known and reported the whereabouts of Willie to the KY authorities.

**Well, he may have tried somewhat to misdirect any leads to his birthplace and involvement in the death of his father.

James Avery & Mary Jane Lainey Coffey

I noticed today that someone had been searching the blogs for information about James Avery Coffey.  As it happens, I have been trying to fill out his family information over the past couple of weeks.

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James was a son of James and Mary Keller Coffey and was born on Apr. 30, 1847 in Caldwell Co., NC and probably in the Yadkin valley. He was married there on Oct. 4, 1872 to Mary Jane Lainey (var.), born in April 1848 to James and Mariah Lainey.

There were at least nine children born to this union, all in the Kings Creek Twp. of Caldwell Co.  Each of them lived to become adults, marry and leave some descendants.  I'll name and report on each of them and their families.

The first born was James Columbus on Aug. 11, 1873.  James married Ann Etta "Etta" Barnett, daughter of Thomas Horton and Sarah Isabella Sherrill Barnett on Sep. 7, 1895 at Kings Creek..  Etta was born May, 12, 1874 in the Yadkin Valley and was the mother of at least two children:  John P., born in 1896, died in 1962 in Gaston Co., NC.  He married Lela Elrod - date not yet known - who was born in NC in 1910 and died there in 1999.  Both are buried at Hollywood Cemetery in Gastonia.  Second was Thomas Frank, born 1898, died 1967 in Kings Mountain, Cleveland Co., NC.  Thomas' wife was Naomi Farris and I have no information about her.  Thomas is buried at Mountain Rest Cemetery at Kings Mountain.

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Next was George Wesley, born in 1875.  His spouse was Lula Jane Barlow and they were married on Jun. 17, 1911 in Caldwell Co.  Lula was born to John Horton and Martha M. "Mattie" Grubb Barlow on Oct. 10, 1895 in Kings Creek Twp.  Their children were Nora Lee, born Nov., 1912, died May 7, 1944.  Here spouse was Lee Otis Keller, a son of Anderson and Emma Mayberry Keller, born in Yadkin Valley in 1893.  They were married c1933 in Caldwell Co.  Nora died in Lenoir in 1944, Lee in 1958. Both are buried at Kings Creek Baptist Church Cemetery [KCBCC].  I know of no children.  Nora Lee was followed by Charles, c1915; Viola, c1917; Callie, c1919; Ellen, c1922; Annie, c1924 and Clara Mae, c1928.  Clara Mae married George Lincoln Smith and died on Mar. 21, 2012 at Hickory in Catawba Co.  She was buried at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Lenoir.  Her obituary reports that she had a son and two daughters.

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Third born was Mary Genelia in 1878.  She married Finley Green Andrews [date not known], who was born on Apr. 22, 1882 in Watauga Co., NC.  He was a son of Avery J. and Sarah Knight Andrews.  He and Mary had at least five children:  Troy Lawrence, 1907 in Caldwell Co., died 1946 in Forsyth Co.  His wife was Edna M. Mooney.  No other information.  Following Troy was Elizabeth, c1910; Roy Green, c1912; Sarah Jane, c1916 and Marvin Pershing, c1918.  Mary died in 1946 and Finley in 1961.  Both are buried at KCBCC.

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Julia Emma was fourth.  She was born in 1879 and married Rufus T. Barlow, a son of Horton and Nancy Maltba Barlow.  Rufus was born in Lower Creek, Caldwell Co. on May 11, 1864 and they were married there on Dec. 8, 1901.  Their children were Nellie Mae, born 1904, died 1940.  She married James Fox on Nov. 1, 1924 in South Lenoir Twp., Caldwell Co.  James was born c1899 but I have no death information. Nellie is buried at KCBCC.  James is probably there as well.  Nellie's sister, Hattie Emma, was born c1908 and married Ralph Raymond Clippard in 1927.  He was born c1902 in NC.  I know of two children:  Richard, born c1937 and Maynard, born c1939..  I do not know where Hattie and Ralph are buried.  There were probably other children born to Rufus and Julia, but the last one I know of was Jack Christie, born 1915, died 1978 in Caldwell Co.

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Amanda Lou followed Julia in 1992.  She married Joseph Hamilton Kirby in 1906.  He was born in 1883, a son of William Jackson Kirby and Nancy Emma Nelson.  Their children were:  William Avery, 1907-1968, married Ruth Eva Montgomery, 1918-1998.  Both are buried at KCBCC.; Luther Iron, 1909-1958; Mallie Filmore, 1912-1978; and Edgar Lee, 1915-1969.  Edgar's wife was Gladys Lola Barlow, daughter of John Walter and Frances Ella Prestwood Barlow.  She was born in 1910 and died in Wilkes Co. in 1992.  They were apparently not married until 1964 and are likely to have been previously married to others.

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Robert Lee was next, born in 1885.  His wife was Bessie Church to whom he was married in Valmead, Caldwell Co. on Oct. 15, 1911.  He died in 1937 and was buried at KCBCC.  Bessie was born c1895 but I have no other information about her.

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William Henry "Will" was born in 1886.  His first wife was Naomi Genely [sic] Keller, daughter of Milas and Demaris Barlow Keller.  She was born in 1883 and died in 1933.  Her two children were Albert L., born c1907 and Mary Ethel, born 1910.  In c1938 Will, age 52, married 15 year old Annie Mae Summerow, a daughter of Joe F. and Florence Kincaide Summerow.  Annie was born in 1923 and gave Will at least five children:  Thelma Lore, 1939-2011, married James Garlen Laws; Ira Lee, 1940-?; and infant son, born 1943; Steve Wilson, born 1946 and Stanley Edward, birth date not known.  Annie died on May 2, 1989 in Hickory, Catawba Co. and was buried at Littlejohn Methodist Church cemetery in Hickory.  Will died on 1959 and was buried at KCBCC.  Sometime after Will's death, Annie married Gurner Walter Hamby, 1910-1996.

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Elisha Elmore was born in 1888 and c1919 married Fannie Bell Kirby, a daughter of William N. and Sarah G. Kirby Kirby.  Fannie was born at Kings Creek in 1898.  They were parents of Edgar Lee, born 1922; Toye Mae, born Dec., 1925, died 1987.  Toye (or Toy) married Earl Pearson in 1948; and Claude William born 1928.  Claude married Clara Dean Walker, daughter of Oscar Walker, on Mar. 26, 1954 in Granite Falls.  Claude died on Oct., 2010 at Rhodhiss, His burial place is unknown and there were no services scheduled.  Elisha is buried at KCBCC.  Fannie is likely there as well.

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Finally, we arrive at the last child, Millard Monroe, born 1889.  He married Mary A. Nelson in 1909 at Watauga Co.  She was born in 1892 to Thomas and Elizabeth Davis Nelson.  Their children were Rosa Bell, 1909-?; Mamie Bell, 1910-1993, married William Lee Turnmire in 1925, a son of John Calvin and Fannie Green(e) Turnmire.  They were parents of one unnamed, 1926-?; Grady, 1927-?; Nina, 1929-2009; Eugene, 1931-1969; Vilas, 1933-1940; Pauline, 1936-2002; William, Jr., 1938-1996; Lucille, 1940-?; and Edity, 1944-?.  Everett Turner follower Mamie in 1914, Watauga Co..  His wife was Thelma Green and they had at least one child, Lee Roy, born/died in Jan., 1937.

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So, that's what I have on this family.  There are more exact details available.

Additions and corrections welcomed!

Jack

James Avery & Mary Jane Laney Coffey of Kings Creek, Caldwell Co., NC

James Avery Coffey was born in April, 1846 to James Coffey, Jr. and his wife Mary Keller.  James Avery married c1871 to Mary Jane Laney, a daughter of James and Moriah Laney.  Jane was born in Apr., 1848 and died on Jul. 30, 1931 in Kings Creek Twp., Caldwell Co., NC. They were in the Kings Creek Twp. census from 1870-1900.

Mary Jane was buried at Kings Creek Baptist Church cemetery*.  James is probably also buried there but I have not found a record.

James and Mary Jane were parents to eight children, all born in Kings Creek:

James Columbus, born Aug., 11, 1873.  James registered for the WW1 draft at Williamson in Mingo Co., WV where he was employed as a coal miner by the War Eagle Coal Co. of War Eagle, WV.  He was 45 years old, born Aug. 11, 1873 and was described as being short and stout with blue eyes and dark brown hair.  He named Ann Coffey of Kings Creek as his nearest relative.

George Wesley, born Aug., 1875, died Jul. 25, 1928 in Caldwell Co.  George married c1911 Lula Jane Barlow, a daughter of John and Martha Grubb Barlow.  Lula was born Oct. 10, 1895 in Kings Creek and died in Lenoir on Apr. 16, 1971.**  She was buried at Kings Creek; George's grave site has not yet been located.  Their children were Nora Lee, born Nov., 1912; Charles W., born c1915; Viola A., born c1917; Callie, born c1919; Ellen, born c1922; Annie, born c1924 and Clara M., born c1928.  Nora Lee married Lee Otis Keller, a son of Anderson and Emma Mayberry Keller.  He was born Jan. 12, 1893 in Caldwell Co., and died May 16, 1958 at Kings Creek. Nora lee died May 7, 1944 at Lenoir.  Both are buried at Kings Creek.

Mary Genelia, born Jul. 31, 1878, died Mar. 17, 1946.  She married Finley Green Andrews, born Apr. 22, 1882 in Watauga Co., died at Lenoir on Dec. 31, 1960.  Both are buried at Kings Creek.+  Their children were Troy Lawrence, born Aug. 10, 1907, died Aug. 12, 1946 in Forsyth Co.; Elizabeth, born c1910; Roy Green, born c1912; Sarah Jane, born c1916 and Marvin Pershing, born c1918.

Julia E., born Jun., 1879; Amanda L., born Jul., 1881, Robert Lee, born Aug., 1885, died 1930; and William Henry, born Aug., 1886, died 1959 - no further information.

Elisha Elmore, born Aug. 14, 1889, died Oct. 7, 1962.  He married Fannie Bell Kirby, born Apr., 1898 at Kings Creek to William N. & Sarah G. Kirby Kirby.  She and Elisha were married at Caldwell Co. in 1919.  Their children were Edgar Lee, born 1922; Toye May, born Dec. 14, 1925, died 1987, and Claude William, born 1928.  Toye married Earl Pearson in Caldwell Co. in 1948.


















*NC Death Cert., No. 279
**NC Death Cert. No. 11910
+NC Death Certs. 34854 (Finley) & 6800 (Mary)

No. 981

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

Looking for help!

I have the following Coffey families from Caldwell Co., NC that I am unable to place with their parents.

• Finley C. Coffey, m. Verdie Corpening - a child was Francis Nadine, born 5.18.1840


• Finley C. Coffey, m. Sarah Pearson - a child was Magalener, born 3.1.1910


• Henry C. Coffey, m. Ruth Ann Carter - a child was Frances Irene, born 7.27.1937


• Jasper P. Coffey, m. Mary Jane Minton - a child was Ellis Lafayette, born 7.3.1888


• Clarence M. Coffey, m. Bessie Simmons - a child was Peggy Jean, born 10.24.1930


• Wm. H. Coffey, m. Mattie Maltba - a child was Albert Lee, born 6.9.1906 [Mattie could be d/o Wm. Zacharia and Mary Ann Maltba Coffey!?]


• James C. Coffey, m. Etta Ann Barnette - a child was John Parlier, born 3.13.1896


• Wm. Monroe Coffey, m. Polly Ann S. Coffey - a child was John Lee, born 9.23.1898 [Wm. Monroe Coffey and Mary Chandler Coffey also had a son named John Lee]


• Margaret A. Coffey, no husband given - a child was Collis Ray, born 4.4.1911


• Robert Lee Coffey, m. Jennie Celia Carlton - a child was Fanry [?] Isabell, born 12.18.1911


• Amanda Coffey, no husband given - a child was Mattie Mae, born 1.9.1900


• James William Coffey, m. Myra Sudderth - a child was Pearl Lucille, born 6.10.1912 [A Myra Sudderth also married Henry Coffey]


• Geo. Wash. Coffey, m. Emma Rice - two children: Sidney Thomas, born 6.30.1914 and Auburn Zale, born 9.4.1927


• Harrison Coffey, m. Wincie R. Teague - two children: Earl H., born 10.28.1907 and Grace Bell, born 11.1.1906


• George G. Coffey, m. Ella Barnette - a child was Vernon Smith, born 11.17.1912


• Thos. W. Coffey, m. Mary Lou E. Robbins - a child was Charlie Lee, born 6.14.1907


• Robert Finley Coffey, m. Crettie Ritch - three children: Beulah Evelyn, born 8.22.1923; Lena Faye, born 5.26.1932, and Beadie Owen, born 2.27.1934*

Please contact me at the e-mail address below if you can help identify any of these people.

*Identified: Robert Finley was a son of Thomas Hall and Cora Ellen Tolbert Coffey. I have five children for them: Beulah Evelyn, born 8.22.1923; Thomas Henry, born 1925, died 1999; Lena Faye, born 5.26.1932; Beadie Oden, born 2.27.1934, and Robert Claude, born 1936. I have not found them in the 1930 census schedule.