Lenore Jackson Coffee, Hollywood Screenwriter (1896-1984)

I was watching an old Turner Classic movie yesterday [Stronger than Desire, 1939 starring Virginia Bruce and Walter Pidgeon) when the name Lenore Coffee appeared as one of the screenwriters. Being a Coffee/y researcher, I sent myself a reminder to find out who she was. 

This is what I learned: 

Lenore Jackson Coffee was born to Andrew Jackson Coffee/y and wife Ella Lenore Muffley in San Francisco, CA on Jul. 13, 1896.¹ She died Jul. 2, 1984 in Los Angeles and, her obituary, published in the San Diego Evening Tribune, reads:

LOS ANGELES(AP) -- Lenore Coffee, who as a young moviegoer complained to her mother that "I could write a better story that [sic] [than] that," has died after a long career in which she created some of Hollywood's most popular romance dramas. She was 87.

Coffee, whose husband was novelist-director William J. Cowen, died Monday at the Motion Picture and Television Hospital in suburban Woodland [H]ills, said her daughter, Sabina Johnson.

Coffee, who began her career thinking up titles for silent movies, among them "Wandering Daughters" and "The Age of Desire," said her interest in films began during her youth in San Francisco. "Sometimes I'd leave a theater and tell my mother, 'I could write a better story than that,' " she said in 1956, four years before she wrote her last film, "Cash McCall," starring James Garner and Natalie Wood.

"Mother always said, 'Why don't you?'" Coffee said.

In 1924, she wrote her first feature film, "Volga Boatman," for Cecil B. DeMille, whose then-assistant Cowen later became her husband. With the advent of talkies in the late 1920s, Coffee began writing romantic dramas and suspense films that became widely popular. Among them were "Evelyn Prentice," "Age of Indiscretion," "My Son, My Son!" "The Way of All Flesh," "Till We Meet Again," "Beyond the Forest" and "Another Time, Another Place."

She said she wrote the novel "Another Time, Another Place," the film adaptation of which starred Lana Turner as an American reporter who romances British correspondent Sean Connery, to warn "that a woman can be a career women with lots of brains and have no sense." Church[e]s around the world continue to perform her play, "Family Portrait," which studies Christ's family dealing with his spirituality.

In addition to Johnson, Coffee is survived by a son, Gary. 

Lenore always claimed, surely influenced by her father’s belief, that she was descended from Gen. John Coffee, the friend and partner of President Andrew Jackson. 

Her father died Nov. 28, 1928 at the home of his son Luen in Fresno, CA. His short obituary reads: 

Jackson’ Kin Dies

Fresno, Nov. 28 – Andrew Jackson Coffee, 67, native of Oakland and a grandson of Andrew Jackson, former president and Mexican war hero, died here today at the home of his son, Luen Coffee.²

The father was born in CA c1861; her mother was Ella Lenore Muffley, born Feb. 25, 1878, died in Los Angeles on Jan. 4, 1944.³

 

Her grandfather was also named Andrew Jackson Coffee/y who was born in TN c1820. He was married in Alabama to Elizabeth A. Hutchings on Apr. 3, 1839. Andrew and Elizabeth, along with their first born, appeared in the 1840 Lauderdale Co., AL census. The entry reads: A. J. Coffee, one male, 20-30; one female child under 5; and one female, age 20-30. He is likely the Mexican War vet mentioned above.

Kate was born in Alabama and appeared in the 1860 census of Oakland Twp., Alameda Co., CA as an 18 year old along with her parents and others. Children in the household that year were: John, age 14, born AL; Frank, age 11, born LA; Nellie, age 5, born CA; Sinie [sic], a female, age 3, born CA; Hettie, age 10, born CA and Comchalina [sic], a female, age 9, also born CA. Why the children are not listed in birth order is unknown to me. 

I have been unsuccessful locating the family in 1870. In 1880 the family was found in San Francisco. Those in the household were Andrew, Sr., age 60, born TN, a notary public; Elizabeth A., wife, age 58, born AL; John, son, age 35, born AL, express office clerk; Frank L., age 32, born LA, business broker; Susan H., age 22, single, and Posey G., a daughter-in-law, age 20, born c1860 in CA and wife of Frank. Andrew J, Jr. age 19, and employed as an electrician was also at home . Others in the household were boarders and do not appear to be part of the family. 

Coffee 1880 San Francisco

There was another Coffee in the family that year; a 14 year-old female servant named Minnie who was enumerated as an Indian, born in CA, parents born CA. I wonder if Coffee was added as her surname because she did not know, or the family did not know what her surname was?! 

We know from history that Andrew Jackson and Rachel had no children of their own. They did however, adopt several including Andrew Jackson, Jr., a son of Rachel’s brother, Severn Donelson. They also adopted two Indian children, on named Theodore and the other, a child he found with its dead mother after one of the Creek Indian battles. That child was named Suncoya who died at age 16 in 1828. Other children were Andrew Jackson Hutchings, grand nephew of Rachel; Pres. Jackson and Rachel also became guardians of the three sons of her brother Samuel Donelson as well as three children of family friend Edward Butler.⁴

There appears then that there were no descendants of Jackson that married a Coffee/y. We know that John Coffee and Mary Donelson had a son they named Andrew Jackson Coffee who married Ann Eliza Sloss. They could be the great-grandparents of Lenore. Other genealogies say that John and Mary’s son Andrew married Eliza Hutchings [see above]. 

Both records could be accurate but, irrespective of that, history seems to prove that Lenore Coffee⁵ was not descended from President Andrew Jackson but from the more sedate – compared to Jackson – General John Reid Coffee. 

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¹ Wikipedia

² San Diego Union, San Diego, CA, Thu., Nov.29,1928, Page 5

³ California Death Records - http://bit.ly/1KU4NKJ

⁴ Wikipedia

⁵ Lenore was married twice; first to Lucien L. Littlefield on Aug. 8, 1919 in Orange Co., CA and, second to William Joseph Cowan, a director with whom she often worked, on Jun. 8, 1924 in Los Angeles.

 

Roy Chester & Cora Viola Coffey Wilkerson

I've been neglectful of this blog over the past few weeks because of the 1940 census. I've spent a lot of time researching my own family lines and, catching up on marriages and births that occurred after 1930. I'm finding it somewhat suspicious however, that much of my maternal line missed that census. In some cases, entire families with the same surname and living in the same general area were skipped or, failed to respond to the enumerator's knock.

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Roy, a son of John Russell and Mary Mae Box Wilkerson*, was born in Laurel Co., KY on Mar. 4, 1890.**  He first married Cora Viola Coffey, the daughter of Linville and Mary Jane Stansbury Coffey, born Dec. 15, 1887 in KY, died of Pellagra on Sep. 19, 1919 in Whitley Co., KY.***  She was buried at Campground Cemetery near London, KY on Sep. 20, 1919.

When he registered for the WW1 draft on Jun. 5, 1917 in Whitley Co., he was described as being tall, medium build, blue eyes and red hair and, was employed by the L & N Railroad as a "car repairer" in Corbin, KY.  He gave his age as 29 years and birth date as Mar. 4, 1888 in London, KY.  It was noted on the draft card that he was married and the father of five children.

Their children were Fred, born 1908; Gladys, born May 10, 1909, died May 3, 1997, married a Mr. Taylor; Lester R., born Sep. 1, 1911; Allie, born c1914 and an unnamed daughter born Aug. 3, 1918 in Whitley Co.

The only census that this family appeared in was the 1910 census for McHargue, Laurel Co., KY.  Chester was a farmer.  By 1920 Roy had married a lady with given name of Mary Mae¹ but, I have not found them in the 1920 census.  In 1930 the family was in Corbin, Whitley Co. where Roy was employed as a city policeman.  Mary was born Feb. 10. 1897 in KY and died there on Aug. 12, 1982.  I know of two children: Warren G., born 1920, died 1992 and Ruth, born c1923, both in Whitley Co.

Sometime over the next 20+ years, Roy was named, or elected, to the job of Chief of Police in Corbin.  He died on Aug. 5, 1952 in Somerset, Pulaski Co., KY.  He and others were involved in an automobile accident outside of Somerset on Jul. 26, 1952 and Roy died in the Somerset City Hospital 10 days [death certificate reports 13 days] later of cardiac failure.

According to a record found on-line at Find A Case [VersusLaw, Inc.], Roy was not only responsible for the accident that ultimately killed him but, for the death and injury of others.

April 30, 1954
Court of Appeals of Kentucky
Wilkerson's Adm'x
v.
KING
Combs
The car of Roy Chester Wilkerson collided head-on with the car of Delmer Turner at the intersection of Highways 80 and 461 in Pulaski County. The appellee, T. H. King, a passenger in Wilkerson's car, was injured. Nancy Ann Lawson, a passenger in the Turner Car, was killed. Wilkerson later died from injuries received by him. In the trial of a suit by the administrator of Nancy Ann Lawson against both Turner and Wilkerson, the appellee was called as a witness by Wilkerson and testified that the accident occurred on Wilkerson's side of the road. In the present suit by appellee to recover for his injuries against Wilkerson's administratrix, he recovered judgment based on a jury's verdict in the amount of $5,000.

The appellant argues two grounds for reversal: (1) There is a conflict between appellee's testimony in this case and his testimony in the Lawson case and he is bound by his previous testimony; (2) the physical facts show that the accident occurred on Wilkerson's side of the road.

We find no material conflict between appellee's testimony in the two cases. He testified in the Lawson case that the accident occurred on Wilkerson's side of the road. On cross-examination in this case he testified to the same effect. But that is not the decisive question before us. It has been Turner's contention all along, and is the contention of appellee now, that just prior to the collision Wilkerson cut his vehicle to the left as if he intended to turn off of Highway 80 and enter Highway 461; that Turner thereupon turned his vehicle to his left in order to avoid the Wilkerson car; and that Wilkerson apparently having decided not to turn off of Highway 80 then cut his car back to his right, and into the path of the Turner car. The jury apparently believed the accident occurred in this manner, and the evidence supports its verdict.

Judgment affirmed.

Both Roy and Mary are buried at the Locust Grove Cemetery in Keavy, Laurel Co., KY.  Their son Warren, born 1920, died 1992, is also buried there.  At least one child, Gladys, from his marriage to Cora is also buried there as Gladys Wilkerson Taylor.  Her death date is May. 3, 1997.

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*KY death certificate 17560
**The year in conflict with WW1 draft registration which gives birth year of 1888.
***Ky death certificate 26605
¹His mother's given name was also Mary Mae.

John Lloyd & Pauline Hoffa Coffey

John Lloyd Coffey was a son of James Daniel and Lou Anna "Annie" Payne Coffey. He was born Oct. 15, 1906 in Indiana, probably Owen Co. He married Pauline Hoffa on May 25, 1929 in that county. She was born Apr. 23, 1911 in Cunot, Owen Co., and died 2001 in Owensburg, Daviess Co., KY. Lloyd died in Indiana in 1954 and both are buried at the Cloverdale Cemetery, Putnam Co., IN.

Obituary, Banner Graphic, Greencastle, Putnam Co., IN

Pauline Coffey, 89, Owensboro, Ky. and Stuart, Fla., died Thursday at Wellington Parc, Owensboro.

Born in Cloverdale, she was the daughter of Henry Hoffa and Nellie Zenor Hoffa.

She had retired as an administrative assistant at IBM Corp. in Greencastle, and was a member of Wesleyan Heights United Methodist Church and the Order of the Eastern Star.

Survivors include a daughter, Betty Barnard, Owensboro; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Lloyd Coffey.

Services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at James H. Davis Funeral Home Chapel, Owensboro.

Graveside services will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Cloverdale Cemetery.

Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Friday at James H. Davis Funeral Home.

Given the recent insulting remarks about conservative Americans by James Hoffa, current "president" of the Teamsters unions, and son of the convicted union thug James Riddle Hoffa, I thought it might be interesting to find out how Pauline Hoffa Coffey might be related to that family.

Pauline was a daughter of Henry and Nellie L. Zenor Hoffa.  Henry was a son of Isaac R. & Nancy Parthenia Turner Hoffa.  Isaac was a son of John and Ann Hoffa.  Jacob Hoffa was an older brother to Isaac and married a lady by the name of Nancy J. c1871 in IN.  One of their children was John Cleveland Hoffa who married Viola Riddle.  Their son was James "Jimmy" Riddle Hoffa. Pauline and Jimmy were therefore second cousins.

Except for John Hoffa who was born c1818 in PA, all the others were natives of Indiana.

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Forgot to mention that Lloyd Coffey is in the Chesley Coffey line.

Samuel Monroe Austin

Samuel Monroe was a son of Samuel and Sarah Bolch (Bolick?) Austin and, was born Mar., 1824 in Watauga Co.  He was first married to Mariah Reed on Sep. 30,1854 in Caldwell Co. with whom he fathered six children:

Samuel M. & Mary Rich Austin

Sarah, born Dec. 25, 1849 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co., died Apr. 15, 1947 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co. Sarah married Anthony Granville Keller c1881. He was born Feb. 11, 1854 in NC and died in Watauga Co. on Mar. 4, 1927. He was a son of James Wilborn and Margaret Eveline Turner Keller. Their children were George Jefferson; Elsie N; Sallie Marie; James W., Pantha E.; John L.; Granville A.; and Mary J. Sarah and Anthony are buried at Winkler Cemetery in Boone.

Mary, born Jun. 14, 1857 in Watauga Co., died Sep. 19, 1934 in Gragg, Avery Co., NC. She married Eldelano "Lano" Coffey, a son of Jacob Zachariah "Zack" and Margaret "Peggy" Coffey Coffey. Lano was born in 1857 and died May 27, 1927 in Wilson Creek Twp., Avery Co. More about Jacob and Peggy here, and here.*

Louisa, born Jan. 17, 1858 died at Kings Mountain in Lincoln Co., KY on Sep. 26, 1929. She married James Monroe Holsclaw, born Mar. 15, 1858 in Watauga Co., died Jun. 14, 1927 in Lincoln Co. They are both buried at Gooch Cemetery in Kings Mountain.

Melinda, born Mar. 2, 1858 in Watauga Co., died there on Jan. 24, 1895. She married Jonas Keller, brother to Anthony who married Sarah, Melinda's sister. Jonas was born in Aug., 1847 in Caldwell Co., died in Watauga Co. in 1930. He and Melinda were married on Oct. 31,1879 in Boone. Both are buried at Winkler. Their children were: Margaret Louise; Roe Wilborn; Charlie; Samuel and Arthur.

Adaline, born Dec., 1859 in Watauga Co. No further information. She apparently died quite young.

Celia M., born Sep. 21, 1864 in Watauga Co., died May 29, 1939 at Shulls Mill. Celia married Sim Penley. She is also buried at Winkler. No information on her spouse.

Samuel Monroe married his second wife, Mary Elizabeth Rich (var.) c1866. Mary was born Jul. 30, 1843 in Cherokee Co. to John and Rebecca Tomson [sic] Rich and died Oct. 13, 1922 in Blowing Rock. Mary is also buried at Winkler. Before he died on Mar. 28, 1912, Samuel fathered another eight (at least) children with Mary.

Their children were:

Martha M., born Apr. 28, 1869 in Watauga Co., died Jun. 26, 1948 in Lower Creek Twp. She married W. J. Putnam. Martha is buried at Belleview Cemetery in Lenoir. No further information.

William Levi, born Aug. 31, 1870 in Watauga, died Aug. 12, 1946 in Blowing Rock. His wife was Della Greene. William is buried at Winkler.

Julia Ann was born Sep. 24, 1871, died Apr. 18, 1964 at Belmont in South Point Twp., Gaston Co., NC. Her spouse was a Mr. McMillian. Julia is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Belmont.

Samuel Monroe, Jr., born Feb. 14, 1873 in Watauga Co., died Apr. 23, 1959 in Boone. He married Minnie Belle Payne, daughter of John Milton and Eliza Jane Downs Payne, c1907. She was born Feb. 28, 1880 and died in Boone on Sep. 2, 1969. They too are buried at Winkler. Children were: Lewis Milton; Ella Mae; Daisy Virginia; one unnamed male child and Ned Payne.

Emma, born c1876, died Feb. 2, 1967 in Blowing Rock, married Benjamin Greene, a son of Amos and Sena Estes Greene. Ben was born Aug. 1, 1844 in Watauga Co. and died in Lenoir on May 7, 1921. Ben is buried at the Reform Church Cemetery in Blowing Rock; Emma is at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.

Cordelia, born c1878, also married a Greene, first name unknown. Cordelia died Dec. 27, 1969 in Obion Co., TN. No other information.

Carrie Naomi, born Sep. 26, 1881 in Boone, died Feb. 17, 1939 in Lenoir. Her spouse was William Lee Robbins, born May 14, 1877 to Rufus and Eliza Story Robbins. William died Oct. 7, 1955. I know of one child, Mary W., born Nov., 1899 in Boone. William is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery; Carrie is at Winkler.

The last of Samuel and Mary's children was George Washington, born Oct. 30, 1884 in Watauga Co., died Mar. 18, 1972 in Mocksville, Davie Co., NC. His wife was Lillie Victoria Moody, born Jan. 23, 1887 in NC, died at Shulls Mill on Feb. 27, 1940.

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*Readers can also search all blogs for members of this (or any) family by using the search window in the sidebar. Place quotes around your search parameters. You can also click on any of the labels below to see all blogs in which that name appears.
Photo via Margaret Coffey Farley

Benjamin Franklin & Louisa Caroline Coffey Green

Benjamin was born Mar. 14, 1857 in MO to Levi and Mary Elizabeth Russell Green.  Louisa was a daughter of Eli and Louisa Caroline Storie Coffey, born Sep. 12, 1856 in NC.  Louisa and Ben were married c1877.

There were at least 10 children born to Ben and Louisa, all in Camden Co., MO.

Authelia (sometimes seen as Othello), a daughter, born Oct. 2, 1878, died Mar. 25, 1956 in Camden Co. She married William Allen Creach c1896 in Camden Co.  He was born there on Oct. 18. 1875 and died Jun. 17, 1943.  Authelia died Mar. 25, 1956 in Camden Co.  I know of one child, Dewey E., born Mar., 1890.  William and Authelia are buried at the Creach Cemetery in Macks Creek, Camden Co.

Millie Ann, born Aug., 1881, married Charles Hicks on Feb. 19, 1902 in Macks Creek.  No other information.

Delia Frances, born Nov. 30, 1883, died Jan. 8, 1884.  She is buried at Green Cemetery in Macks Creek.

Charles Edward, born Dec. 31, 1884, died Mar. 19, 1942 at Roach, Camden Co.  His wife was Mary A. Arnhold [sic] and, they were married Feb. 10, 1909 in Bannister, Camden Co.  Charles is buried at Green Cemetery; no info on death or burial place for Mary.

Sarah Jane, born May, 1887.  No further information.

Fred Arthur, born Nov. 4, 1889 in Camden Co., married Della V. Salmer on Feb. 28, 1912 in Camden Co.  Fred and Della had at least two children, daughters Opal H., born c1914 and Annie, born c1920.  Fred went from farming in 1920 in Camden Co. to being a loader for a motor co. in Jackson Co., MO in 1930.

Eliza, born Aug. 4, 1892, was married c1911 to James Clark Wallace, born Apr. 16, 1891 in Macks Creek.  The family lived in Hickory Co., MO through the 1930 census before moving to CA.  James died Mar. 19, 1970 in Riverside Ca., and was buried at the Desert Lawn Memorial Park in Calimesa, CA.  Eliza died Jan. 26, 1972 and was also buried at Desert Lawn.  Their children were Charles R., Lula Mae, Edna J. and Jessie O.

Chester Levi, born Jun., 1895, married Blanch Turner Mar 24, 1916 in Camden Co.  No further information.

William M., born Aug., 1897, died Jun. 22, 1964 at Banning, Riverside Co. CA.  His wife was Ada Frances Osborn, born Aug. 11, 1903 in Camden Co., died Jun. 7, 1988 at Rialto in San Bernardino Co., CA.  Both are buried at Mountain View Cemetery at Beaumont in Riverside Co.

The last child was Lula E., born Jan. 18, 1900, died Oct. 7, 1977.  Lula married Soud W. Dowell on Feb. 17, 1919.  He was born Jun. 22, 1895 in MO and died May 20, 1987 in Camden Co.  Their children were Hazel N., born c1921; Hellend (?) V., born c1922 and Fem (?), a female, born c1925.  Help with the children's name would be appreciated.  Both Soud and Lula are buried in Camden Co. at Macks Creek Cemetery.

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A little bit about Eli and Louisa Caroline Storie Coffey:  Eli and Louisa married Nov. 7,1852 in Caldwell Co., NC.  Between that date of Oct. 8,1860 they had at least five children.  Caroline's parents, Eli and Mary Carlton Storie left North Carolina shortly before or perhaps right after the Civil War.  They are not found in the 1870 census.   They are found in the 1880 census in Russell Twp., Camden Co., MO and daughter Caroline and four of her five children are with her.  James, her first son was married and farming in Auglaise, Camden Co. that year.  In the 1880 Caldwell Co. census, Eli Coffey reported himself as married and divorced.

In addition to Louisa Caroline, Eli and Louisa Caroline Storie Coffey had:

James H., born c1853 in NC, married Nancy, LNU, and had at least two sons, Columbus F., born c1879, died 1918 in Vernon Co., MO; and John M., born c1887 in MO.

Joshua, born c1854 in NC, no further info.

Isaac Milton, born Nov. 15, 1858 in NC, died Jan. 20, 1919 in Payette Co., ID.  He married Susan Frances Brook (surname not confirmed) c1879 and lived in MO until sometime after Dec., 1887 when their third child, Edna was born.  They then relocated to Idaho where the remainder of their children were born.  First born was Sarah in Jan., 1882 married Charles Ayers in 1901, Payette Co., ID.  Second was Benjamin L., born 1885, died 1920 in Payette.  Edna was third followed by Ella in 1893.  Elsie was next, born 1900 in ID, married Benjamin Belding in Payette Co. on Sep. 17, 1917.  Glen was next, born c1903 in ID, married Elizabeth (LNU) c1929.  In 1930 they lived with his widowed mother in Payette Co.  Last born was Ida, c1904.  Ida married Zack Greene in Payette Co. on May 27,1 920.  Susan reported in the Canyon Co., ID census of 1920 that she was the mother of 12 but only seven were living.  Isaac and Susan are buried at Riverside Cemetery in Payette, Payette Co., ID.

The last child of Eli and Louisa Storie Coffey was Lewis Jasper who married Alice Ann Josephine Moulder on Jan. 7, 1886 in Camden Co., MO.  More about them later.

Rufus & Cordelia Jane Carroll Coffey

Front L-R: Martha, Rufus, Cordelia & Bernice
Rear L-R: James Fred, William Frank & Oma Anna

Rufus was a son of William Allen and Mary Wiseman Coffey.  He was born on Jan. 24, 1860 in Brumley, Miller Co., MO and died in Bristow, Creek Co., OK in 1931.  He and Cordelia were married in Missouri on Mar. 13, 1884.  Cordelia was born Dec. 10, 1863 in Macon Co., GA and died in Bristow in 1942.  They are both buried at Bristow city cemetery.

The children of Rufus and Cordelia were:

William Frank, born Apr. 4, 1885 in Camden Co., MO and died Mar. 31, 1966 in OK.  Frank married twice.  His first wife was Sarah Ellen Scott, born Feb. 4, 1888 in MO and died July 1, 1924 in Bristow.  They had two children together, Stella, born c1908 in MO and, Alice Jane, born Feb. 24, 1911 in Bristow.  Alice died at the age of 20 in Bristow and was buried there in the city cemetery.

Frank's second wife was Senith E. Johnson Kennedy, born Dec. 11, 1902 in OK.  In 1920 Senith and her brother Henry lived with her mother and step-father Jeff Turner in Bristow.  Senith was apparently married to a Mr. Kennedy shortly thereafter.  By 1926 she was married to Frank and so did not appear in the 1930 census as a Kennedy.  The 1930 census for Frank and Senith enumerated several children in the household:  Gordon, age 9 (born c1921); Bryce, age 7 (born c1923); John J., age 5 (born c1925) and Robert, 18 mos. (born c Aug., 1928).  It appears then from this record that the three eldest children were Kennedys while Robert was a Coffey.

 Not much has been yet discovered about the remaining children:

James Fred, born Apr. 2, 1889 in Camden Co.  He married Cora Faye Rhodes.  Of the two brothers, James is the only one for whom a WW1 draft registration has been found.  He registered in Copeland precinct, Gray Co., KS on Jun. 5, 1917.  Jeff was single and a self-employed farmer in Copeland.  He was described as being of medium build and height with blue eyes and black hair.  He was 28 years old, and gave his birth date as Apr. 2, 1889 in Toronto, MO.

Oma Anna, born Aug. 23, 1894 in Camden Co., married Ray Gustin.

Martha J., born Aug. 22, 1899 in Camden Co., died Apr. 24, 1984 in Creek Co.  She married James Floyd Webster, born Dec. 12, 1897, died Jun. 12, 1978 in Creek Co.  Both are buried at Bristow in the city cemetery.

Bernice Fanny, born Aug. 13, 1905 in Camden Co., died Sep. 18, 1983 in Creek Co.  She married Raymond L. Ramsey, born Apr. 17, 1902, died July 26, 1991.  Both are buried at Bristow in the city cemetery.

Much info is still needed: The burial place of James and his family as well as Oma Ann and her family is unknown. Neither do I have a complete list of all the grand children of Rufus and Cordelia.

Veteran's Day

Originally called Armistice Day, tomorrow is the day set aside to honor Veterans of all branches of the military.  This date was chosen because "the war to end all wars" was concluded on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

More than 9 million soldiers of all nations died on the battlefields and it is estimated that an equal number of non-combatants died from, genocide, starvation, disease and other privations brought on by the conflict.

Please take time to remember those Veterans in your family, whether living or deceased.  These are just a few of the Veteran headstone photos that I have and are included here as a gentle reminder to make sure you have similar photos of your family heroes.

Thomas Bullen, husband of Cornelia Jane Coffey, a daughter of Elias Henry "Eli" and Hannah Bullen Coffey.  Buried at Scaffold Cane Cemetery in Roundstone, Rockcastle Co., KY.

Arnold "Red" Church, husband of Ola Coffey, a daughter of Fredrick Abner and Mary Octavia Loudermelt Coffey.  Buried Woodlawn Cemetery, Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., NC.

Aaron Coffey, son of Thomas Jefferson and Malinda Graves Haley Coffey; husband of Mary Summerville Smith.  Pecan Grove Cemetery, McKinney, Collin Co., TX

Carl Gwyn Coffey, son of Carl Sylvester and Margaret Tate Gwyn Coffey.  Buried at Greenwood Cemetery, North Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co., NC.

Charles Wilson Coffey, son of Dock Charles and Elizabeth Jane Turner Coffey.  Buried Evergreen Cemetery, Clermont Co., OH.

Cline Coffey, son of Thea and Stella May Coffey Coffey.  Buried at Woodside Cemetery, Middletown, Butler Co., OH.

Dock Charles Coffey, son of William and Sarah Saleney Womble Coffey.  Buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Miamiville, Clermont Co., OH.

Guy Woodson Coffey, son of John Woodson and Nevie Gertrude Clements Coffey.  Buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Richmond, VA.

Johnny Othel Coffey, son of Walter Othel and Mamie Matilda Baltimore Coffey.  Buried at Pine Knot Cemetery, McCreary Co., KY.

Levi Coffey

Levi - first child and son of Rice and Dorotha Jane Medaris Coffey:

This child was born in North Carolina c1829 and died Jul. 20, 1863 in Knoxville, Knox Co., TN from wounds received while serving with Co. G., 65th Inf. Regt., GA in the Civil War. He married Catherine Kilpatrick c1852 in (probably) Cherokee Co., NC.

Catherine was born Nov. 24, 1830 in Haywood Co., NC and died between 1910 and 1920 in (probably) Shoal Creek, Cherokee Co., NC. She was the daughter of Balis Jackson and Mary E. Hunter Kilpatrick,

Levi and Catherine's children were:

1 - Susan Malissa, born in Cherokee Co. in Feb., 1853, died there on Oct. 19, 1944. She married Jesse Coleman on Mar. 10, 1870 in Murphy, Cherokee Co. He was born Apr., 1850 in Cherokee Co., and died there in 1925.

Their children were:

Laura, born Dec., 1870

Martha Jane, born c1873

Mary Etta, born Oct. 11, 1875

William, born Feb. 6, 1878

Monroe, born May, 1881

Milos Milton, born Jun., 1886

2 - Ann, born c1853

3 - Mary Jane, born Mar., 1857, died Mar. 26, 1931 in Benton, Polk Co., TN. She married William Elrod on Oct. 26, 1882 in Shoal Creek. He was born in May, 1854 in Georgia and died Apr. 10, 1923 in Fairplay Twp., Fannin Co., GA.

4 - William, born Feb., 1858 in Cherokee Co., and died in Polk Co., TN c1898. His wife was Sarah Saleny Womble, a daughter of early Polk Co. settlers, George and Mahala Vaughn Womble. Sarah was born Feb. 7, 1853 in Polk Co., and died Jun. 30, 1916 in Campbell Co., TN.

Their children were:

Emma Jane, born 1888, died c1956

Mary Adeline, born Feb. 17, 1891, died Jun. 26, 1920 in Knoxville, TN. She married Simon Peter Angel on Oct. 19, 1912 in Campbell Co. Their children were Nellie Leoma, born Jan. 28, 1916, died Mar 21, 1981; and Edith Ella, born apr. 13, 1918, died Dec. 31, 2005.

Margaret Catherine, born Jan. 14, 1894, died Jan. 2, 1971

Dock Charles, born May 10, 1896 in Polk Co., died Jun., 1973 in Clermont, Butler Co., OH. Dock married Elizabeth Jane Turner on Jul. 25, 1920 in Polk Co. She was born May 27, 1903 in Cumberland Co., TN, died Feb. 8, 1981 in Chattanooga, Hamilton Co., TN. Their children were Charles, born Jun, 18, 1921; Robert Lee, born Jan. 2, 1923, died Feb. 11, 1989; Myrtle Marie, born Dec. 10, 1924; Paul Erskine, born May 21, 1927 and Betty June, born Jun. 10, 1929.

5 - Adaline Ann Dorcus, born c1860

6 - John J., born May 1862 in Cherokee Co. He married Mary Burnett in 1884 in Cherokee Co. She was born in NC in May, 1874.

Their children:

Charles, born May 29, 1889, married Birdie Wilhoit

Lillie - no other information

William Fredereick, born Jul. 26, 1895 in Ducktown, Polk Co., TN. He married Laura, last name unknown.

John Oscar, born NC on Sep. 23, 1898 died Jul., 1878 in LaFollette, Campbell Co., TN. He married Pearl May Pierce.

Emma Helen, born Aug., 1899. She married Rosco Hooks.

Florence, born 1902, married Jake Smith

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