William Lewis and Martha Cropp Coffey

William and Martha Cropp Coffey, whose headstones can be view by clicking on the title link, have been identified.

William (Willie) is the son of John Robey and Mamie W. Womack Coffey. John, Mamie, William and Martha are buried at Green Hill Cemetery in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA.

For those of you have been to Coffeytown and have seen the Coffeytown stone, Willie was the creator.

The following was sent to me by John Taylor:

"Willie painted the rock you photographed which says ”Coffeytown”. It’s the second rock to say that. The house next to the church – the green one – was Charles E Coffey’s house and has been sold out of the family. In his sideyard (away from the church) is a huge bolder, It originally had the word “Coffeytown” painted on it, but the locals ticked off the new owner of the property, so he stripped the paint off the rock. Then “Willie” had a boulder brought in and he painted it with the “Coffeytown” word!

Willie’s son Pike presently lives on the hill to the right of the [new] rock as you see it from the main road."

Lois Coffey Webb Update

Lois Coffey Webb was the daughter of Nelson McKinley Coffey, born Aug. 4, 1898 in Amherst Co., and died May 19, 1958. Nelson was the son of Nathan and Luella Davis Coffey. He is also buried at Green Hill Cemetery in Buena Vista. Nathan and Louella are buried at Bridge Hill Cemetery near Coffeytown in Amherst Co. Click on the title link to view Lois' grave marker.

Her obituary:

Obituary, The Rockbridge Weekly, Lexington, VA, Jul. 18, 2006

Lois Marie Coffey Webb

Was N. B. Fellowship Church Member

Lois Marie Coffey Webb, 75, of Natural Bridge, died Tuesday, July 18, 2006 in the Augusta Medical Center, Fishersville.

Mrs. Webb was born on July 30, 1930 in Appomattox, a daughter of the late Nelson McKinely and Mary Thompson Coffey.

She was retired from the Natural Bridge, Inc., and was a member of the Natural Bridge Christian Fellowship Church.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Webb was preceded in death by an infant daughter and a son, Delton Wayne Webb.

Surviving is a daughter and a son-in-law, Marie and Charles Bouchard of Natural Bridge; a sister and brother-in-law, Madeline and Jerry Johnson of Rockbridge Baths; two brothers and sisters-in-law: Lewis M. and Lois Coffey of Lexington, and Aubrey and Mary Frances Coffey of Buena Vista; two grandchildren: Elena Bouchard and Chad Bouchard and his wife, Jammie; and three great grandchildren: Noah, Elizabeth and Tristan.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 20, 2006 in the Natural Bridge Christian Fellowship Church by the Revs. Nathan Phillips, W. David Bain and Conald Fogus. Burial will follow in the Green Hill Cemetery in Buena Vista.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Service, Buena Vista.

Another child of Nelson and Mary Thompson Coffey was Madeline Coffey. She was born Sep. 17, 1932 and died Sep. 16, 2007.

Her obituary:

The Rockbridge Weekly, Lexington, VA, Sep. 17, 2007

Madeline Coffey Johnson

Bethesda Presbyterian Church Member Dies At Age 74

Madeline Coffey Johnson, 74, of Rockbridge Baths, died Sunday, September 16, 2007 at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville.

She was born September 17, 1932 in Amherst, a daughter of the late McKinley Coffey and Mary Thompson Coffey.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Lois Webb.

Mrs. Johnson was a member of the Bethesda Presbyterian Church.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry P. Johnson; three sons: Ronald R. Mull, Smithfield, VA; Richard L. Johnson, Newport News, VA; Michael L. Johnson, Gloucester, VA; one daughter, Linda M. Hartless, Vesuvius; nine grandchildren, seven great grandchildren; two brothers: Lewis Coffey of Lexington and Aubrey Coffey, Buena Vista; and a very special friend, Rosemary Via.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at the Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Malcolm Brownlee officiating. Burial will follow in the Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at the Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Buena Vista, Virginia.

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
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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.

Dawson Henry Coffey 1875-1934

Dawson Henry (or, Henry Dawson on WW1 draft registration and Henry D. on his headstone) was born on Jul. 4, 1875 in Nelson Co., VA. He died on Aug. 13, 1934 and was buried in the Green Hill Cemetery at Buena Vista in Rockbridge Co., VA.


When he registered for the draft on Sep. 12, 1918 in Rockbridge Co., he was described as being short and slender with blue eyes and brown hair. He was at the time 43 years old, and gave his birthdate as Jul. 4, 1875. Henry was then a farmer who resided at Buena Vista with his wife, Katie.

He and Katie appeared in the census record from 1900 through 1930 in Buena Vista. In 1900 he gave his occupation as "laborer." In 1920 and 1930 he gave his occupation as "teamster." In those days and that place, being a teamster had nothing to do with driving a truck. However, the jobs were the same. A teamster in those days generally had their own team of horses and, hired out to move or haul furniture, equipment, etc.

Katie was Katherine Davidson, born in Aug., 1879 in Amherst Co., VA. She died on Jul. 12, 1937, probably in Rockbridge Co. She too is buried at Green Hill.

There were eight children born to the marriage:

Littie, born Aug. 12, 1900, died Sep. 7, 1958.

Walker Lee, born Mar. 3, 1904, died Sep. 11, 1947. Walker married Sarah Montgomery on May 24, 1924 in Buena Vista. She was born Jan. 12, 1908 in Buena Vista and died there on Sep. 24, 1990. They had at least one child, Thurman L., born Oct. 13, 1929, died Feb. 21, 1991. Thurman is buried at Green Hill. I do not yet know where Walker and Sarah are buried.

Eva Lena, born Aug. 30,1908 in Nelson Co., and died Mar. 28, 1963 in Lexington, VA. She married Horace Orey Pugh on Mar. 16, 1936 in Buena Vista. Horace ws born there on Oct. 3, 1894 and died there on mar. 14, 1958. Both are buried at Green Hill.

Eva's obituary:

Obituary, Roanoke Times

Mrs. Eva Coffey Pugh, 55, died last Thursday morning in a Lexington hospital. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Edward Potter, Buena Vista; one son, Marshall Ray Pugh, Buena Vista; three sisters, Mrs. James Fitzgerald, Miss Myrtle Coffey, both of Buena Vista, Mrs. Jewel Everett, Maryland; one brother, Russell Coffey, Glasgow; four grandchildren. funeral services were held at 4 PM Saturday at the Pentecostal Holiness Church by the Rev. B. L. Underwood. Burial was in Green Hill Cemetery.

William McKenley, born Jan. 26, 1909 in Nelson Co., and died Aug. 30, 1998 in Buena Vista. He married Annie Burley in Buena Vista on Sep. 27, 1926. Annie was born May 22, 1907 in Amherst Co., and died on Aug. 30, 1998 in Buena Vista. Both are buried in Green Hill.

Annie's Obituary:

Chittum, Annie Burley, 91 of Buena Vista, died Sunday, August 20, 1998 [sic] at Shenandoah Valley Health Care Center. She was born May 22, 1907 in Amherst County, daughter of the late James Burley and Sarah Lawhorne Burley. She was preceded in death by two husbands, William Coffey and George T. Chittum. She is survived by two sisters-in-law, Frances Burley and Blanch Burley, both of Covington, several nieces and nephews, a stepson, Thomas Chittum of Covington, many stepgrandchildren and a special friend, Ruby Humphries of Buena Vista. Graveside services will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday in Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday at Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Service.

Myrtle Idell, born Dec. 14, 1911, died Sep. 8, 1988

Mabel L., born Sep. 15, 1912, died May 16, 1989

Mamie Virginia, born May 6, 1915 in Rockbridge Co., died Feb. 24, 1973 in Lexington. Mamie was married on May 23, 1942 in Lynchburg, VA to James Henry Fitzgerald, born in Rockbridge Co. on Jan. 12, 1897. James passed away on Jan. 27, 1972 in Lexington.

Russell Henry Coffey was born Apr. 11, 1920 in Rockbridge Co., and died on Jan. 23, 1998 in Roanoke, VA. He married Elizabeth (Nettie) Wheeler. Russell is buried in the Glasgow Cemetery in Rockbridge Co. I have no further information on Nettie.

Russell's Obituary

Obituary, Roanoke Times, Roanoke, VA

Coffey, Russell Henry, 77, of Natural Bridge Station, died Friday, January 23, 1998 at Roanoke Community Hospital, Roanoke, Va. Born August 11, 1920 he was the son of the late Henry D. and Catherine Davis Coffey. He was a farmer and retired from the N & W Railroad after 31 years service. He was a veteran of WW II. He was preceded in death by a son, Russell "Boona" Coffey. Surviving are his wife, Myrtle Campbell Coffey, eight children, Joyce Pugh, Buena Vista, Kenneth Coffey, Buena Vista, Hazel Link, Natural Bridge, Kathy Walters, Timber Ridge, Darrell Coffey, Clifton "Chuck" Coffey, Tammy Coffey, and Daniel Coffey, all of Natural Bridge, sixteen grandchildren and nine great-granschildren. funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Monday, January 26, 1998 at the Lomax Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ralph VanNess officiating. Burial will follow in the Glasgow Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lomax Funeral Home.

More information on this family is available from Marshall Pugh, who contributed the photograph and his family history.

Please contact me at the above e-mail address for additions or corrections.