Jesse & Elizabeth Thompson Coffee

Looking for descendants of Jesse and Elizabeth Thompson Coffee.  Jesse was a son of Cleveland and Martha Brown Coffee, born c1812 in SC.  He married Elizabeth Feb. 2, 1935 in Macon Co., NC. Elizabeth was born c1810 in NC and except for her marriage record, nothing is known except her children.

They were parents of at least seven children, all boys!  Their names and approximate birth years were extracted from the 1850 Rabun Co., GA federal census.

1850 GA, RabunCo., Militia Dist. 509, dwelling/family 68, Jesse Coffee, age 38, married, farmer, $200, born SC; Elizabeth, age 40, female, born NC; William, age 13, born NC; Abraham, age 11, male, born NC; Cleveland, age 9, male, born NC; Andrew, age 7, male, born NC; Rufus, age 5, male, born NC; Joel, age 3, male, born NC; Allen, age 2, male, born NC

I have not found them in any subsequent census record and other searched locations have not yielded any other accurate info.

Please contact me if you are a descendant or have any helpful info on this family.

Jack

Noah Rice Blackwell

Noah Rice Blackwell was born in Rockbridge Co., VA in Dec., 1870 to James H. and Martha Jane Mines.* 

James and Martha were contemporaries of Reuben Wetzel, Sr. and Sarah Jane Wood Coffey of Nelson Co., VA.  Reuben and Sarah were married on Dec. 16, 1852 in Nelson Co.**

Rose Forest Maywood "Maywood" Coffey was born to Reuben and Sarah on Nov. 28, 1873 in Amherst Co.  She was married to Noah on Dec. 4, 1894 in Rockbridge Co.1

Maywood and Noah lived all of their lives within a few miles of their birthplaces.  From marriage in 1894 to the census n Jan., 1920 they were residents of Walkers Creek District in Rockbridge Co.  In 1930 they were living in the South River District of that county; in 1940 they were in Augusta Co.  By then, all of their children were grown with families except one, Minnie, born in 1898, who was still unmarried and living at home.

In addition to Minnie, Maywood and Noah had 10 other children:

Bulah May, born 1895, died 1973, married Brown Hartford Staton.

Minnie was second born.

James Earl, born 1900, died 1980, married Madge Allen.

Nina D., born 1902, married 1) William G. "Jack" Houser; 2) Percy V. Thompson.

Murrell R., born 1904, married Frank Blair Cox.

Rev. Leonard W., born 1905, married Gladys Merita "Bunky" Grimm.

Edith P., born 1907, married Guy Wilton Houser, probably related to Jack, above.

Earnest H., born 1910, not known to have married.

Blanche, born 1912, married Hansford Lee Lynn.

Cecil W., born c1913, probably died young.

Hazel B., born 1915, married Hunter O. Dunaway.

More detail on the children is available on request.

Noah died at age 75 on Mar. 17, 1946 near Spottswood in Augusta Co. and was buried at Mount Carmel Presbyterian Cemetery at Steeles Tavern in Augusta Co.

N. R. Blackwell2

Staunton, March 19 - Funeral rites for N. Rice Blackwell, 75, who died Sunday at his home near Spottswood, were held Tuesday at Mount Carmel Presbyterian Church.  Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.

He is survived by 10 children:  Mrs. Brown Staton, Mrs. Jack Houser, Mrs. Guy Houser, of Spottswood; Miss Minnie Blackwell, at home; Earl Blackwell, of Moffaits Creek; Mrs. Frank Cox, of Rockbridge Baths; Herman Blackwell, of Middlebrook; L. W. Blackwell, of Waynesboro; Mrs. Hansford Lynn, of Radford; Mrs. Hunter Dunaway, of Fairfield.

Rose preceded Noah in death.  She passed away on Mar. 3, 1946 and was also buried at Mount Carmel.  She was 72 years old.

More detail on Roses' ancestry is available on request.

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*Martha Jane was the second wife of James; his first wife, Nancy Bensen, died in c1856 leaving him with a number of small children to raise.  He and Martha were married on April 22, 1858 in Augusta Co., VA ["Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XR73-PW6]

**Marriage Register, Nelson Co., VA - Marriage Register, Book No. 2, 1854 - 1926, p59, line 29.

1Rockbridge County Marriages 1853-1896, VA State Archives, Reel 43; Bureau of Vital Statistics [read and extracted by Mary Ann Taylor].

²"The Richmond Times Dispatch (Richmond, VA)", http://bit.ly/1GT2oQ1, Wed., Mar. 20, 1946, Page 20.

Other sources:  1900-1940 US Federal Census, Find-A-Grave, FamilySearch.org, and Jarrett Wilson Harlow via Carol Hite Harlow, citing marriage, birth, census and death records of Nelson, Amherst and Rockbridge counties as well as family histories.

David & Nancy Coffey Ernest

Nancy was a daughter of Thomas and Nancy Barlow Coffey, and was born in Caldwell Co., NC in 1836.  She married David Ernest*, born c1835 in North Carolina, on Oct. 17, 1858** in Caldwell Co.  He died in 1885 and she in 1879.  Both are buried at Lower Creek Baptist Church cemetery in Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC.

I have found seven children for this couple, all born in Caldwell Co.:

Thomas Levi, born Apr. 9, 1859.  He married Mary Clippard, who was apparently previously married to a Clippard, in Caldwell Co. on Apr. 26, 1888.**  The marriage record for her and Levi tells us that she was the daughter of Crump and Louisa Barlow.  However, I have been unable to find a Crump Barlow in a North Carolina census record.  Neither have I been able to find a death record for Mary.  Levi died Nov. 11, 1921*** and is buried as "Lee T." at the Lower Creek cemetery.

Mary Selena, born May 19, 1862, married John P. Sherrill on Jan. 9, 1890** in Lower Creek Twp.  John was a son of Milton and Caroline Barlow Sherrill and was born Sep. 16, 1863 in Caldwell Co.  He died there in Lower Creek Twp. on Oct. 20, 1945 and was buried at the Tabernacle Advent Church Cemetery in Lenoir.  Mary died on Jun. 14, 1954 and is also buried at the Tabernacle cemetery.

Eveline or Eva E., was born in 1871 and married August Felt, born 1869, on May 2, 1897** in Lower Creek.  No other information has been found.

John was born Dec. 12, 1868 and died unmarried on Feb. 2, 1936 in Lenoir.  He is buried at the Lower Creek cemetery.

William Calvin was born on Apr. 16, 1871 and died in Lenoir on Apr. 7, 1946.  His spouse was Mary Day, daughter of D. T. & Jerusha R. Day, who was born in 1877, probably in Caldwell Co.  She and William married on Apr. 16, 1896** in Lower Creek Twp.  He is buried at Belleview Cemetery in Lenoir.  Mary's death information has not been found.

Julia A., born in 1875, married John H. Thompson of Feb. 16, 1892** in Lower Creek.  No other information has been found.

The last child was Samuel H., born Mar. 3, 1875, died Mar. 26, 1926 in Lenoir.  His spouse was Bertha Hall to whom he was married on Aug. 25, 1898** in Lenoir.  Bertha's death information has not been found.  Samuel is buried at the Lower Creek cemetery.

Please contact me if you can connect the Barlow women.

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*David's surname, as well as some of his descendants has also been found as Earnest
**North Carolina County Marriages, 1759-1979 , digital images, FamilySearch.Org (www.familysearch.org).
***All complete birth and death dates for this family were taken from NC Death Certificates.  Those death dates consisting of year only were taken from the respective headstones found at Find-A-Grave.

Henry S. & Sarah “Sallie” Coffey Roberts

Sallie was a daughter of Lewis and Elizabeth “Betty” Watters Coffey.  Lewis was a son of James and Sarah Emeline Sumpter Coffey.  Sallie was born Mar. 17, 1834 in Pulaski Co.

Henry, in the 1900 census for the Sinking Pct., Wayne Co., KY tells us that he was born in Apr., 1832 in North Carolina.  The census also tell us that he and Sallie had been married for 43 years and that Sallie was the mother of eight children, seven still living.  Unconfirmed sources tell me that their marriage date was Dec. 3, 1856 in Wayne Co.

In 1860, the first census after their marriage, the family received mail at the Monticello Post Office in Wayne Co.  Two children had been born:  Lewis, c1858 and Jesse, c1860.  In 1870 they were enumerated in the Texas District of Pulaski Co.  Lewis was then 12 and Jesse was 10.  In the interim, four additional children had been born:  Manassas, age 8 (born Dec. 1, 1861 in Pulaski Co.); Silas, age 5 (born Sep. 4, 1864); Elijah, age 3 (born c1867) and James, age 6 mos.  It was sometime after the birth of Manassas that the family moved back to Wayne Co. where they lived out the remainder of their lives.

When the census was taken in 1880, the family consisted of mother and father a children Silas, age 16; Elijah, age 12; James C., age 10; Thomas F., age 8; and Williams S., age 3.  Also in the household was Jane Clark, a 22-year old servant girl and her son, William, age 1 mo., all born in KY.

By 1880, the three oldest sons, Lewis, Jesse and Manassas had taken brides.  Lewis and Jesse lived close to their parents with their wives and young children.  Lewis married a young woman by the name of Rebecca and they had one child in 1880, a daughter named Eliza.  Jesse married c1880 to a young woman named Emma who shortly had a son, Tilford.  About the same year, Manassas married Hettie Godsey and they also lived nearby.  Their first child, Sarah came on Jan. 22, 1882; the second that I know of was William, date of birth unknown, died in Ritner, Wayne Co. in 1948.

Hettie Godsey was a daughter of Zebulon and Mahala Jane Thompson and was born Aug. 13, 1862.  Her sister Ruth was born in Nov., 1864 and married Marion Sellers c1885 in KY.  One of Ruth’s children, Ollie Sellers, born Jan. 31, 1898 in Whitley, Pulaski Co., married John William Coffey, a son of James Shelby and Melissa Malvina Holloway Coffey.  James Shelby Coffey was Lewis Coffey’s nephew and also a double-fourth cousin.

By 1900, Henry and Ruth were up in age and the only child remaining at home was Thomas, age 28.

Henry’s headstone in the Martha Coffey cemetery near Ritner tells us that he died on Jun. 1, 1909.  However, he appeared in the Ritner, Wayne Co. census taken on May 10, 1910.  He was 78 then and reported that he had been twice married.  Sally was 76 and 53 years into her first marriage.  Henry was 24 when he and Sarah were married.  Since young men tended to marry by age 20 it seems likely that he had been previously married but, outside this census I have found nothing to substantiate that.

Sarah died on Sep. 8, 1923 in McCreary Co., KY and was buried the next day in the Martha Coffey cemetery.  I have not found her in the 1920 census.

Silas, born Sep. 4, 1864, died Oct. 7, 1937 in Kidder, Wayne Co. and was buried at Martha Coffey Cemetery.

Elijah, born c1868, died in Wayne Co. in 1937.

Thomas was born Feb. 23, 1872 and died Jul. 20, 1956 in Wayne Co.  He is also buried at Martha Coffey Cemetery.

William was born Apr. 17, 1877 and died Jul. 17, 1962 in Wayne Co.  Like the others, he is also at Martha Coffey Cemetery.

I have found nothing about James C. since his appearance in the 1880 census.

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This cemetery is difficult to locate.  It is near Ritner and off the Jones Hollow Road at a fork with a gravel road.  I am told there is a cemetery sign at the fork.

My thanks to Theresa/Thunderbird584 at Find-A-Grave (FAG) for locating this cemetery and providing researchers with headstone photos.

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I do not believe the "search also for" function at the very bottom of each blog is working properly. I suggest using the upper right search window and enclose your search terms in quotes; e.g., "Sumpter"

Daniel T. & Mary Linnie Coffey Montgomery

Mary was a daughter of Larkin D. & Temperence Elaine "Tempi" Gravitt.  My original blog on Larkin and Tempi can be read here.

Mary was born c1853 in Georgia and died c1909, probably in AL.  She married Daniel T. Montgomery, date unknown but probably c1879 in Alabama  Nov. 27, 1870 in Lawrence Co., AL.* Daniel was born Aug. 15, 1846 in AL, died in Leon, Love Co., OK on May 30, 1937 and was buried there.  The family has not been found in the 1900 census ** and by 1910 Daniel was in Love and enumerated as a widower.

I believe he was a son of Alex and Salina Caroline Thompson.  Little information has been found on Alex and Salina except that Alex died in AL on Dec. 28, 1886.  In census records, Daniel always said that his mother was born in Ireland and his father in IL.  In addition to Daniel, they were also parents to Mary Elizabeth Montgomery, born c1852, died Mar. 22, 1948 in Moulton, Lawrence Co., AL.

In 1850 Alex was in Limestone Co., AL and appears to be unmarried.  He was enumerated with the Joseph Montgomery family; Joseph, age 39, was likely his brother.  Joseph's wife was Mary. Others in the household were Hannah L. Montgomery, age 23 (sister perhaps); and Mary J., age 17 and John, age 11.  Alex had children Sarah, age 13; Joseph M., age 11; Christian (?) J., female, age 9 and Daniel, age 4.

By 1860 Alex had remarried Priscilla Holt and the family was in Moulton, Lawrence Co., AL.  Others in the household were: Sarah, age 22; Joseph, age 21; Floran (?), female, age 16; Daniel, age 12; Mary, age 6; and James, age 5.

Alex and family remained in Moulton for the 1870 census.  In addition to Alex and Priscilla, others in the household were:  Sarah, age 33; Daniel, age 23; Mary, age 18; James, age 15; John D., age 12; Robert, age 10; and Margaret, age 3.  In the index, Priscilla is spelled "La Sillie."

Daniel T. Montgomery

Daniel was married and living in Pinhook, Lawrence Co. in 1880.  His census entry is dim and rather difficult to read.  The index, however, lists D. T., age 32, farmer, born TN, parents born TN; M. L., age 22, wife, born GA, parents born GA; E. T.; J. L.; and D. J.

Daniel and Mary had at least two children, David Lawrence, born Jan. 26, 1881 and, John C., born Jul. 1, 1891, both in AL.  Birth and death dates are from headstones.

After 1880, Daniel can be found in the 1910, 1920 and 1930 census in Leon, Love Co.  In 1920 he lived with Laurence and with John in 1930.  He died in Leon on May 30, 1937 and was buried at Leon Cemetery.

Ethel Brintle Montgomery

David married Nov. 3, 1902 in Gainesville, Cooke Co., TX to Ethel Isola Brintle.  She was born Dec. 19, 1885 in Giles Co., TN and died Oct. 19, 1971 in Marengo, McHenry Co., IL.  David died Mar. 8, 1945 in Marietta, Love Co., OK.  Both he and Ethel are buried there at the Lakeview Cemetery.  They had at least one child, Myrtle, born c1905 in OK, died in Oct. 1968.  Her spouse was W. O. Smith.

John C. Montgomery

Gertrude Montgomery

John married a lady named Gertrude***, born Apr. 15, 1891 in AR, died Mar. 28, 1980 in Love Co., OK.  Their children were Cecilia, LaJuana, twins Wilma and Nilma and Laurence, all born in OK.  The 1930 census record for these children is a bit difficult to read and I have guessed at the names Louisiana and Nilma.  John died on Feb. 17, 1961 in Love Co. Both he and Gertrude are buried at Lakeview Cemetery.

Update:  The family still lived in Love Co., Marietta, OK, in 1940.  John was the proprietor of a retail grocery store.  Cecilia had two years of college behind her and, Wilma and Nelda were a high school graduates.  Son Laurence was in his second year of high school.

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Mary Elizabeth Montgomery was born c1852 and died Mar. 22, 1948 in Moulton, Lawrence Co., AL.  She married William R. Coffey, brother to Mary Coffey Montgomery.  William was born c1848 in GA and died in Moulton on Apr. 15, 1930.  They are both buried at the Montgomery Cemetery in Moulton.  Their children, as I know them, were William Albert, born c1871 in Lawrence Co., died there on Dec. 11, 1925, also buried at the Montgomery Cemetery; Henry Clay, born Nov., 1873, died Feb. 13, 1940; L. C., born c1876; Daisy L., born Jan., 1881 and Julia M., born Apr., 1887, all in Lawrence Co.

Henry Clay married c1895 to Martha Jane "Jennie" Gray, a daughter of Matthew A. and Martha Pettus Gray.  She was born in AL in May, 1875 and died on Mar. 30, 1946 in Moulton.  Both are buried in Moulton and probably at the Montgomery Cemetery.  Their children were: Alpha M., born May, 1898; Wilbur Lawrence, born c1903; Daisy, born c1907; Charlie Clay, born c1909 and Sanders H., born Jul. 26, 1913.  All were born in Lawrence Co.

Wilbur Lawrence married Nancy Myrtle Jackson, a daughter of Robert E. and Mary E. Ezell Jackson.  She was born in AL in 1902 and died Dec. 2, 1948 in Moulton.  Wilbur died May 10, 1960 in Moulton.

Sanders married Velma Gobbe [sic], and died Sep. 10, 1939 in Moulton.

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Sources:

*County Marriage Records, Lawrence Co. Marriage Book F, Page 24.

**1900 IT, Chickasaw Nation, TS6-7 S. R1-2 W, ED 177, Sheet 22A, dwelling 334, family 341, Montgomery, D. T., head, white male, born Aug., 1846, age 53, married 29 yrs., born AL, parents born AL, farmer; Mary L., wife, white female, born Jan., 1853, age 47, married 29 yrs., mother of 7, 5 living, born GA, parents born GA; Daniel J., son, white male, bor Jun., 1881, age 19, single, born AL, farm laborer; John C., son, white male, born Jul, 1891, age 8, born AL

***Gertrude Benning, daughter of John K. & Mattie Melissa Clark Benning.  Index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NMB8-WP5

Indexes of Vital Records for Alabama: Deaths, 1908-1959. Montgomery, AL: State of Alabama Center for Health Statistics, Record Services Division, 19--

United States Federal Census. Original data: United States Federal Census for years cited. 

Find-A-Grave

Jackson Lafayette Coffey

Jackson Lafayette Coffey

Jackson was a son of Alfred Alphonso and Julia Ann Dawkins Coffey and was born on Jan. 28, 1865 in TN and died Nov. 24, 1946 in Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.  Apparently, sometime in his life he was a policeman as seen in this photograph, credited to Madlyn Dill Simkulet.  Madlyn is very likely a descendant of Jackson's daughter, Clara who married Orand Edwil Dill.  It appears - if colors are accurate - that Jackson was a red-headed Coffey.

Ellie Horton Coffey

Jackson married Ella Mahle "Ellie" Horton c1886.  Ellie was the daughter of W. A. and Annie Gibson Horton, and was born Jan. 30, 1868 in GA and died on Dec. 22, 1956 in Corsicana.  Both are buried at the Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery in Retreat, Navarro Co.  This photo of Ellie was also credit to Simkulet.

The 1900 census found the couple in Marion Co., TN.  By 1904 they were in Texas.  The following census they were in Navarro Co. and in 1920 in Henderson Co., TX.  In 1930 they were back in Navarro where they continued to live until death claimed them both.

I recently received the following e-mail from John Thompson, a great-grandson of Jackson and Ellie:

Good morning Jack. My name is John Thompson. I am Lillie Coffee Covington"s grandson. 'Ella' Coffee was my great grandmother. She was my mother's grandmother. We knew her as Ellie. That's what my mother and grandmother called her.

I read, with interest, your information and I have to say I am impressed by the work that you have put into the site. I was looking for information about Lillie's parents when I ran across your site.  Very good job!

Thank you for the excellent information.

I knew Ellie. She lived with my grandmother for the last several years of her life. In fact my grandfather James, 'Jim', Covington built a room on their little house in Corsicana for her. Since we lived in Corsicana and were at my grandmother's house every day, I remember Ellie very well. She was a sweet and kind woman. I can remember playing in her room and under her bed as a little boy. I was born in 1950 so I was around her until I was six.

Ellie was a strong Christian woman with a rock solid faith in her Lord and God. She passed this down to us. My whole family is now saved and serving God in various capacities because of this woman. I want you to know that she changed the course of my brother's and my life by her prayers for us as babies and little children. She was a great woman. I thought you would enjoy knowing some firsthand information about Ellie's later years. She was full of life and was healthy until the very end of her days. She passed her longevity on to her daughter. My grandmother Lillie lived to be 98 and was also healthy until the very end.

Well, I trust that this is a blessing to you. Keep up the good work.  And again, thank you so much for this excellent site. I will be passing the site information to my family.

Sincerely, John Thompson

There were at least 10 children born to Jackson and Ellie:

Clara, born Dec. 17, 1884 in TN, died Sep. 6, 1956 in Houston, Harris Co., TX.  Clara was the wife of Orand Edwin Dill to whom she was married c1902.  Orand was born Jun. 22, 1875 in TX and died May 11, 1951 in Terrell, Kaufman Co., TX.  He is buried at Dresden in Navarro Co. while Clara is at Forest Park in Houston.  They were parents of at least five:  Duna Winnifred, James Shannon, Lee Roy, Norma Geline and Orand, Jr.

The second child was Charles Clifton, born Dec., 1887.  No further information.

George Clinton "Clint" was next, born Dec 1, 1889 in Chattanooga, Hamilton Co., TN, died May 12, 1965 in Corsicana.  Clint married Ella Mae Covington on Dec. 28, 1913 in Jester, Navarro Co.  She was born Mar. 6, 1889 in GA to Elias Haskell and Mary M. Martin Covington and was a sister to James Alexander "Jim" Covington that married George's sister, Lillie Mae and to John Elias Covington who married Tennie Pearl Hunt.  Ella Mae died Jun. 22, 1983 in Corsicana.  She and Clint are buried at Hamilton-Beeman.

Their children were at least six in number:

Beauford Clinton Coffey

Beauford Clinton, born 1917 in Navarro Co., died 1982 in Montgomery Co., PA.  Beauford married a lady by the name of Miriam and were parents of at least two children, Wayne and Bryan.  He was a veteran of WW2, having enlisted in the US Army on Mar. 12, 1942 at Camp Walters, Palo Pinto Co., TX.

Margaret Ellen, born 1919 in Jester, married Charles Willie Cooper, born 1918, died 2002 at Corsicana.

Gracie Fay, born 1922 at Purdon in Navarro Co., married Joe Pierce Woodard.  He was born in 1918 and died in Fort Worth on Feb. 26, 1979.  He is buried at Hamilton-Beeman.

Alfred G. Coffey

Alfred G., born 1925 in Purdon, died Nov. 3, 1967 at San Angelo in Tom Green Co., TX.  He married Helen Emily Hinrich and was the father of at least three:  Beverly Kay, Emily Lisa and Alfred, Jr.  He was also married a second time to a lady named Reba but I have no information about her or possible children.  Alfred is buried at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens in San Angelo.  He was also a veteran of WW2.  He enlisted into the US Army in Dallas on Jun. 23, 1943.

The next child born to Clint and Ellie was Oneida Mae "Johnnie," born Nov. 10, 1926 in Wood Co., TX, died Nov. 3, 1999 in Garland, Dallas Co., TX.  Johnnie married Charlie Lee Bascam Caskey on Feb. 9, 1946 in Corsicana.  Charlie was born in 1917 in Dawson, Navarro Co., and died Dec. 5, 1998 in Garland.  Both are buried at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas.  They had at least one son, John Carl, born 1955, died 1997.

The last child of Clint and Ellie was Betty Jo, born Feb. 10, 1931 in Corbet, Navarro Co., died Nov. 13, 1985 in Dallas.  She married Willie Pete Thompson, born Jan. 31, 1930, died Dec. 25, 1983 in Dallas.  Both are buried at Hamilton-Beeman.

Corrections and additions are welcomed.

More on this family to follow.

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My appreciation to Madlyn Dill Simkulet for making the photographs available and, to John Thompson for his kind remarks.  Clicking on The Farm to Mkt Road link below will show the location of the Beeman-Hamilton cemetery.

Capt. Loy Grady Coffey, USAAF WWII

Capt. Loy Grady Coffee

I too had an uncle that perished serving his country during WWII.  My father Frank H. (USAAF) and another of his brothers, Harry D. (USCG) also served but returned safely.

This uncle was the youngest of four sons born to my grandfather, Albert Lilburn Coffey and his wife, Ora Elizabeth Braley.  Loy was born on Jul. 27, 1917 in De Ann, Hempstead Co., AR and died on Dec. 30, 1944 over Ellis Co., KS.

He was a bombardier instructor aboard a B-29 bomber out of the 2d Air Force, 17th Wing stationed at Walker Army Air Force Base in Hays, KS.  On the morning of Dec. 30, the B-29, piloted by 1st Lt. Rufus C. Anderson took off on a training run.  In addition to Capt. Coffey, others on board were 2d Lt. Glenn V. Welander, F/O Thomas H. Joyce; 2nd Lt. Stanley M. Franklin; Sgt. Dale M. Thompson; Pfc. William R. Fierini; Cpl. Robert F. Rich; Cpl. Richard R. Berg; Pfc. Nicholas G. Brando; Pfc. Kenneth L. Bryant; Cpl. Harry Bochichio and 2nd Lt. Verne E. Roycraft.  All but Berg, Brando and Roycraft were killed.  One of the survivors may have ultimately died from injuries.  A news article reported that one of the men was not expected to survive, but did not name him.

According to reports, the bomber climbed to about 25,000 feet and was proceeding on course when at about 10:20 a.m. the number 3 engine [ironic the same engine number as on the B-24 in previous blog] backfired and erupted in flames.  Extinguishers were activated but within a short time the engine caught fire again and burned more fiercely. The extinguishers were again activated but were ineffective.

A subsequent investigation revealed that the fuel line had ruptured and a steady flow of gas to the engine was fueling the fire.  The engine eventually exploded causing the plane to lose the left wing.  It began an uncontrollable spin and cartwheeled to the earth.  The crew lost their oxygen equipment and in the chaos men were bouncing around in the plane, unable to physically jump out.

Lt. Anderson had earlier alerted the crew to prepare for a jump.  Capt. Coffee, the navigator and the radio operator began to move towards the bomb bay with the radio operator attempting to help Coffee strap on his parachute.  The next time a survivor saw Coffee he was lying on the bomb bay door and had a deep gash on the top rear of his head.

Headstone for Capt. Loy Grady Coffey

Some of the men fell to earth while still inside the plane and their bodies were burned.  Capt. Coffee was fortunate in that he somehow fell free of the plane and his body was not burned.  He was returned to his then hometown of Minden, in Webster Parish, LA where he was buried with military honors in the Minden City Cemetery.

Capt. Coffey enlisted when he was six months shy of receiving a law degree from Louisiana State University.  He was also an ROTC cadet and had received some prior National Guard training.  Upon enlistment he was sent to Midland [Texas] Army Flying School where he began the second class of bombardier training.  Graduates were known as "Hell from Heaven Men" and "the most dangerous men in the world."  Following graduation he was commissioned an officer in the US Army.

He married Miss Martha Easley of Harlingen, TX in March, 1943 and she had been with him since their marriage.   I have often searched for Martha with no success.  Undoubtedly, she remarried and had children and, it would be nice to know more about her life after the death of Capt. Coffee.

The grainy photo was retrieved from a newspaper article of the day announcing his death and is the best that I have of him.  He was a handsome man; probably the best looking of all his brothers.

Within the last year, a contact and local historian in Hays discovered the bomb bay door in a barn owned by a local farmer.  He removed a small piece and sent it to me as a keepsake.  I will be forever grateful.




No. 991

Charles Edward Coffey, Jr.

Another son of Charles Edward Coffey, Sr.  was Charles, Jr., born Nov. 9, 1859 in Amherst Co., VA. Junior married Sallie M. White on Nov. 6, 1880 in Amherst and with her fathered five children:

Lottie Jasper, born Dec. 21, 1883, died May 7, 1939. She married Moses Hill Trevey c1902. Moses was born Jan. 22, 1878 in VA., and died May. 23, 1954 in Amherst Co. Both are buried at Allwood Cemetery at El Bethel Church in Amherst Co. Their children were Norman; Harry Andrew; Helen Audrey; Hesper D.; and Hill.

Ashby Darmon, born Feb. 20, 1884, and died Jul 23, 1929. Ashby never married and had no known children. He is also buried at Allwood.

Inez, born Apr. 13, 1885 - no further information.

Hettie, born Feb. 9, 1887, died Mar. 13, 1974 in Temple City, Los Angeles Co., CA. Hettie first married Henry L. Harlow, born Apr. 1883 in VA, c1907. She is thought to have had three children with Henry, but I have found only two: Mayo C., born c1908 and Robert C., born c1914. In 1910 Henry and Hettie lived in the Pedlar Dist. of Amherst Co. where Henry was employed as an engine fireman, presumably on the railroad. By 1920, Henry was living with his two sons in the household with his mother, Amanda, and his step-father, Marshall P. Gatewood, in the Pedlar Dist. I have not located him after 1920. Hettie is said to have married a second time to a Mr. Thompson and then a third time to Chauncey Lucas. In 1960 Hettie was living alone in Los Angeles Co., CA and died in Temple City, LA Co., CA on Mar. 13, 1974.

[Update 7/29/08:  Hettie's children with Henry were:  1) Mayo Carrington Harlow, born Jul. 8, 1907 in Amherst Co., VA, and died Jan. 4, 1983 in Bedford City, Bedford Co., VA.  2) Margaret Victoria, born May 21, 1910 in Amherst Co., died Feb. 15, 1995 in Otero Co., NM; 3) Charles Robert, born 2 Nov., 1913, died Dec. 6, 1972 in Los Angeles Co., CA]

The last child of Charles, Jr. with Sallie White was Beulah, born Oct. 25, 1889. She married Leonard Tyree Mason on Jan. 7, 1910 in Lynchburg, VA. I know of only one child, a son Thomas B., born Jan. 12, 1919, died Mar. 8, 2007.

His obituary:

The News & Advance, Lynchburg, VA, Mar. 8, 2007

Thomas B. Mason, 88, of Roanoke, died Thursday, March 8, 2007. Born in Lynchburg, Jan. 12, 1919, he was the son of the late Leonard Tyree Mason and Beulah Coffey Mason. He was married to Emily Ann Wilkins Mason for 58 years.

He attended public schools in Lynchburg, graduating from E.C. Glass High School in 1936. He attended Hampden-Sydney College and received his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1941. He was associated with a law firm in Arlington, from June 1941 until January 1942. 

He served as a Naval Officer in World War II from 1942 to 1946, two years of which were in the South Pacific (Solomon Islands) and Philippine areas where he commanded PT Boat 179. He participated in the landings at Leyte, Philippines, on Oct. 20, 1944.

He engaged in the private practice of law in Lynchburg from 1946 to 1956, then became a trust officer with the Peoples National Bank and Trust Company of Lynchburg (now Bank of America). He was appointed by President Kennedy as United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia in 1961, with offices in Roanoke. His family moved to Roanoke in 1962. He was re-appointed by President Johnson in 1965 and served in that office until 1969. The present U.S. Attorney's offices are located in the Thomas B. Mason Building at 105 Franklin Road.

He then became associated with the Law Department of Norfolk and Western Railway Company (now Norfolk Southern Corporation) from which he retired in 1983. He held memberships in the American Bar Association, Virginia Bar Association, Lynchburg and Roanoke Bar Associations and the Judicial Conference for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Appeals Courts.

Tom had a long-time interest in theater and was a member of the company at Barter Theatre in Abingdon, during the summer of 1937 (its fifth season), when the late Robert Porterfield, its founder, was executive and artistic director. Tom was then 18-years old and appeared in six plays. While in Lynchburg, he performed in numerous plays at Lynchburg Little Theatre, one of the oldest Community Theaters in the nation. In Roanoke, he appeared in plays at Mill Mountain Playhouse, where some may remember his performance as Elwood P. Dowd in "Harvey". Following his retirement he acted professionally at regional, summer and dinner theaters in several other states; playing Norman Thayer in "On Golden Pond" among other roles. Tom appeared in three feature films, (Crimes of the Heart, Mississippi Burning and Gods and Generals) and seven television films. He was a member of the Screen Actors Guild and Actor's Equity Association.

Tom was active in his church, having served as deacon, elder and trustee of First Presbyterian Church of Roanoke, and previously as a member and officer of First Presbyterian Church of Lynchburg.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Martha Mason Malloy and husband, Joe Malloy, of Vesuvius, and Polly Mason Dunn of Greenville, N.C.; grandchildren, Luke Malloy, Courtney Dunn and Mason Dunn; nephew, Thomas R. Mason and wife, Karen, of Alpharetta, Ga.; nieces, Anne Leadbetter and husband, Gig, of Grand Junction, Colo., and Marsha M. Matter and husband, Kevin, of Aurora, Colo.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 10, 2007, at First Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, with the Rev. Robert D. Smith officiating. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, in the Presbyterian Cemetery, 907 Bailey Street, Lynchburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Roanoke, P.O. Box 8538, Roanoke, VA 24014; your own church; or a charity or organization of your choice.

Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel and Crematory, (540) 982-2100.

Charles, Jr's second wife was Mary Lou (Mollie) Downey to whom he was married c1891.  They had at least one son, Robert Ward, born Jun. 12, 1893, died Oct. 13, 1974 in Lynchburg, VA.  He was buried at Spring Hill Cemetery at Lynchburg.

Left to right, is Beulah, Robert Ward and Hettie.

Robert married Edna Miller Breeden on Dec. 24, 1924 in VA.  She was born Jun. 7, 1898 to Charles W. and Maggie Breeden, and died Jun. 8, 1995.  I have two children for them:  Mary Anne, born Oct. 25, 1925 and Charles Ward, born Jul. 17, 1927, died May 3, 1993.

Junior married a third time.  That wife was Eunice Sales, born Dec. 27, 1894, died Feb. 17, 1983.  There were no known children born to this union.



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

Photo courtesy John Taylor

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.

More Green Hill Cemetery Headstones

Green Hill Cemetery,  Buena Vista, VA

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 Please contact me at the above e-mail address is you can identify these folks and their ancestors. Click on the image to see a larger image.

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Updated Jan 8, 2011

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Son of John Robey & Mamie Womack Coffey

Mary, w/o Nelson McKinley Coffey

Who were/are Philip's parents?

Still need her husband & family

Daughter of Nelson McKinley & Mary
Thompson Coffey.  Who was her husband?

Wife of Finley Houston Coffey
Her maiden name was Tomlin

Robert Marvin Coffee

Robert Marvin Coffee was a son of John Fielding and Fannie Thompson Coffee. He was born Sep. 30, 1879 in Arkansas, and died Apr. 14, 1944. He is buried in the Jewella Cemetery in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, LA. He can be found in the Hempstead Co., AR census records from 1880 to 1920, and in Bossier Parish, LA in 1930.

Robert was married four times:

- Martha Della Livingston on Jul. 1, 1900 in Hempstead Co. She was born about 1880. Della apparently died shortly after the marriage. There were no known children.

- Dec. 23, 1903 to Alice M. Jones. Alice, a daughter of Ab. [Abraham?] and Josephine Jones, was born Dec. 1879 in Arkansas and died Aug. 11, 1907 in Hope, Hempstead Co. There were two children born to this marriage: Johnnie [female], born c1905 in Hope, and Robert Donald, born Nov. 6, 1906 in Hope. Robert married Ruby Fuller on Jun. 1, 1945. He died Sep. 20, 1974 in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, LA.

- Third marriage was to Lucy Bell Conway, a daughter of Ninian S. and Rebecca Frances Jones Conway. He and Lucy married Dec. 24, 1907 in Hempstead Co. and were parents of two children: James Harold, born c1913, and Delores Dale.

- Fourth marriage was to Ruby G. [last name unknown], in about 1924. There are no known children from this marriage.

On Sep. 12, 1918 Robert registered for the draft in Hempstead Co. He listed his age as 38 yrs., born Sep. 30, 1879. He was a farmer who lived with Lucy Coffee at Rt. 5, Hope. His card describes him as being tall with a medium build, gray eyes and light colored hair.

Please contact me if you have any information on the descendants of Robert and any of his wives. His father and my GG-grandfather were brothers.