Arthur Hill & Mary Jane Coffey Dula

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

1910 Snippet

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

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

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

1920 Snippet

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

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

To recap all the children:

Clyde Lester Dula

Catherine G. Coffey

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

Julius A. Gragg

Charlotte N. Dula

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

Anthony Cory

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

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

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

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

Ruby Evelyn Dula

Murray Harris Coffey

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

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

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

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Rites held for Mr. Dula

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

John Carroll Coffey

John Carroll Coffey was a son of William Clayton and Sarah Greene Coffey. He married Nancy Evelyn Hartley on Sep. 18, 1873 in Watauga Co., NC.

John's death certificate reports his death from pneumonia on April 5, 1926 in Globe Twp., Caldwell Co.

Given that, the child in the photo must be incorrectly identified. The child appears to be between one and two years old. According to birth records, Millie was born in 1929. I would think that the child is likely to be Floyd Pinkney, born May, 1924. It could even be Pink and Iler's first child, James, born 1922.

Iler Jane was born Jun., 1888 in NC and died in 1981 in Caldwell Co. Pinkney David, a son of Gideon and Martha Teague Philyaw, was born May 31, 1880 in NC and died in Forsyth Co., NC on Jun. 24, 1945. They were married in 1921.

Other children were:

James Thomas, born May 23, 1922. He married Toye Becler Green, born in 1918 in Caldwell Co.

Floyd Pinkney, born May 17, 1924, died May 7, 1993 in Hudson, Caldwell Co.

His obituary:

Floyd Philyaw

Floyd Pinkney Philyaw, 68, of 670 Hillcrest St., Hudson, died Friday May 7, 1993, at his residence following an extended illness.

He was born May 17, 1924, in Caldwell County to the late Pinkney David Philyaw and Ila Coffey Philyaw.

A member of Hudson Church of God, Philyaw was preceded in death by an infant daughter; two brothers, Herman and James Philyaw, a half-brother, David Philyaw; and a half-sister, Jesse Tickle.

Survivors include his wife, Hazel Coleen Philyaw, of the home; six sons, Doug Philyaw of Ocean Springs, Miss., Carroll Philyaw of Lenoir, Burl Philyaw of Canton, N.C., and Malvin Philyaw, Malcolm Philyaw, and Byron Philyaw, all of Granite Falls; five daughters, Mrs. Rover (Doris) Summerlin of Lenoir, Mrs. Scott (Sarah) Lankford of Blowing Rock, Gail Philyaw of Hudson, Karen Philyaw of Lenoir, Ms. Harriet Philyaw of Lenoir; a sister, Millie Bowman of Lenoir; a half-sister, Allie Coffey of Lenoir; 17 grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.

The funeral is Monday at 11 a.m. at the church with the Revs. Rick Brackett and Stoy Lankford officiating. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service.

Burial will be in Rich Cemetery in the Maple Grove Community.

The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Hudson Church of God, 333 Cedar Valley Rd., Hudson, N.C. 28638

Herman Lee, born in 1927, and died in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. on May 7, 1975.

Millie died in 2000. The NC Death Index lists her name as Millie Evelyn Phillyaw Bowman.

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

Photo courtesy Margaret Coffey Farley

Austin Blaine Coffey

Austin Blaine Coffey was a son of David Nathaniel and Caroline Levinia Coffey Coffey. He was born in Watauga Co., NC on Jan. 14, 1887 and died there on Aug. 28, 1970. He is buried alongside his first wife, Emma Mahalia (Hailey) Harris Coffey, at Boone Fork Baptist Church cemetery in Watauga Co.

Blaine represented Watauga Co. in the NC House of Representatives for several years, beginning in about 1917. He was still seated in The House in 1923 when his mother died.

Austin Blaine Coffey

Austin married Emma Mahalia (Hailey) Harris in Caldwell Co. on mar. 1, 1914. Hailey was the only child of Anderson Perkins and Frances Catherine Ennis Harris. Hailey had given birth to a son, Ralph A. Harris on Nov. 22, 1911. Ralph enlisted in the US Army in 1929 and subsequently killed in an automobile accident while stationed in Pensacola, Escambia Co., FL.

Hailey Harris

His obituary appeared in the Watuage Democrat on May 19, 1932:

Funeral Services Held for Ralph A. Harris

The body of Ralph A. Harris, 20, a private in the U.S. Army who was killed in an automobile accident near Pensacola, Fla., on May 7th, arrived at Lenoir on May 11th, in charge of Private Floyd Burkett, who was a friend and comrade of the deceased. Funeral services were held at Blue Ridge Advent Church on Thursday, May 12th by the Rev. S. E. Gragg, in the presence of the largest congregation ever assembled for a burial in this section.

Young Harris was a well liked by all who knew him. He completed his high school education at Crossnore, N.C., enlisted in the US Army in 1929, served three years, reenlisted and was serving his second term when the accident occurred. His death has caused widespread sorrow.

Pallbearers were Spencer Collins, Archie Simms, Spencer Henderson, Staple Collins, Mayrel Gragg, Frank Jones, Cecil Critcher, Jesse Coffey, Randel Pyatte, Melvin Calloway, J. C. Church, Ernest Simms and Seldon Wright.

Flower girls were led by little Ernestine Collins and Norma Collins, were as follows: Ruby Richards, Irene Jenkins, Sally Collins, Ruby Dula, Hailey Harris, Ruby Henderson, Rosetta Hollifield, Bessie Wooten, Jessie Hollifield, Ruby Byers, Ophelia Teague, Verdola Coffey, Fay Rupurd, Edith Calloway.

Burial took place at Boone's Fork graveyard.

Hailey died less than a year following the death of her son Ralph.

Ralph A. Harris

Hailey and Austin's children were:

Murray Harris Coffey, born May 9, 1915, died Apr. 5, 2003. He married Ruby Evelyn Dula on Nov. 19, 1938 in Watauga Co. Ruby was born Jan. 10, 1910 in Caldwell Co., and died Apr. 13, 1999 in Mecklenburg Co., NC. She was the daughter of Arthur Hill and Mary Jane Coffey Dula.

Murray's obituary appeared in the Watauga Democrat on Apr. 7, 2003.

Rev. Murray Coffey

Rev. Murray H. Coffey, 87, of 157 Murray Coffey Road, Blowing Rock, died Saturday morning, April 5, 2003, at Blowing Rock Hospital.

He was born May 9, 1915, in Hudson, Caldwell County, to the late Austin Blaine and Hailey Harris Coffey.

Rev. Coffey was a retired stone mason and a minister. He was a member of Blue Ridge Advent Christian Church where he formerly served as pastor.

Both Rev. Coffey and his father, Blaine Coffey, served in the North Carolina Legislature as representatives from Watauga County.

Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Imogene Poteat of Davidson; and one son, Terry Coffey of Blowing Rock; one granddaughter, Kimberly Coffey of Asheville; three grandsons, Paul Poteat Jr. of Coppers Cove, Texas, Mike Poteat and family of Charlotte, and Lynn Solesbee and wife, Melissa, of Mauldin, S.C.; one great-granddaughter, Anna Solesbee and one great-grandson, Ben Solesbee, both of Mauldin.

He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Dula Coffey; a son, Vern Coffey; a sister, Mrs. Gwyn Dula; and a brother, Hardin Coffey.

Services were conducted Monday morning at the Blue Ridge Advent Christian Church in Blowing Rock, officiated by the Rev. Gordon Noble.

Entombment followed in the Coffey Family Mausoleum in Boone Fork Community Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Boone Advent Christian Church, in care of Joyce Sherrill, 375 Shady Bark Lane, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Catherine G. Coffey

Katherine Gwendolyn Coffey, born Aug. 1, 1919 in Watauga Co., died Aug. 19, 1997 in North Carolina. She married Clyde Lester Dula on Jul. 4, 1939. Clyde was brother to Ruby who married Murray.

Hardin Blaine Coffey

Hardin Blaine Coffey, born Apr. 23, 1923 in Watauga Co., died Oct. 7, 2000 in North Carolina. He married Beulah Mae Coffey, born Mar. 24, 1924 to Joseph Merritt and Susan Augustus Childs Coffey. Joseph Merritt and Austin Blaine were distant cousins.

Hardin's obituary:

Mr. Hardin Blaine Coffey, 77, of Ransom Street, Blowing Rock, died Saturday morning, Oct. 7, 2000, at his home.

He was born April 23, 1923 in Blowing Rock. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Blowing Rock.

Mr. Coffey was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army and a 56 year charter member of the Blowing Rock American Legion Post 256. He retired with 30 years service at Tweetsie Railroad as a steam locomotive engineer. A snow making pioneer, he installed the first snow making equipment at Blowing Rock Ski Lodge and Hound Ears Club.

Survivors include his wife, Beulah C. Coffey; one daughter, Judith Wesson of Boone; one son, Joe Coffey and wife, Cathy, of Snowmass Village, Colo.; three grandchildren, Michael Jason Wesson of Boone and Samuel Ryan Coffey and Joanna Haley Coffey, both of Snowmass Village, Colo.; a brother, Rev. Murray Coffey of Blowing Rock; and three nieces, Gail Pitts of Blowing Rock, Cathy Wilson of Boone and Linda McCullach of Millers Creek; and one nephew, Terry Coffey of Blowing Rock.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Austin Blaine and Hailey Harris Coffey; one sister, Gwyn Dula and a nephew, Vern Coffey.

Services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Dean Coffey.

The family will receive friends Monday afternoon from 1-1:45 p.m., prior to the services, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Hospice of Watauga County, 136 Furman Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Austin Blaine Coffey's second wife is said to have been Sally Phillips of West Virginia. Sally had been married previously to Doctor [given name] Hill Wright, a son of Thomas A. and Margaret Ann Coffey Wright.

Update 2/11/2012:  There is another marriage record in Watauga Co. for Blaine Coffey, age 47, to Anna Lee Phillips on 20 Mar. 1934.  A Nov. 13, 1951 marriage record has also been found for Austin Blaine Coffey to Sally Phillips Wright.  The marriage register put together by Appalachian State University at Boone and published in 1995, notes that this "marriage lasted 4 days."

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.