1930 5th Grade Class, Blowing Rock, NC

This photo is of the 1930 5th grade class at Blowing Rock School.

The newspaper was probably the Watauga Democrat or Blowing Rocket, but I do not know the date.

Herbert Wagner

The following is a report taken from the front page of The Watauga Democrat, dated Dec. 30, 1926. It is a description of the events surrounding the murder of Earl Moody and Deck Byrd by Herbert Wagner, husband of Minnie Lee Ella Coffey. Filmore Coffey was the son of Austin and Mary Blalock Coffey:

Earl Moody and Deck Byrd Slain by Herbert Wagner

Christmas Day Tragedy at Foscoe in Which Two Young Men Meet Tragic Deaths Shocks Whole County; Slayer Held in Greensboro Jail; County's First Double Homicide

For the first time in the history of the county of Watauga, a double murder occurred on Christmas Day, when Earl Moody, 22, and Deck Byrd, 40, met their death at the hands of Hubert [sic] Wagner at Foscoe, in the vicinity of Shulls' Mills. The young men were all natives of that section.

According to the best available information, Herbert Wagner (familiarly known as "Hub") had just returned from West Virginia where he had been employed for some time, in order, that he could be with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Judson Wagner, during the holiday season. He arrived at the home on Friday night and on Saturday morning in company with some of the good citizens of the community enjoyed target practice nearby for a short time and the friendly Christmas spirit was manifest. According to witnesses, Wager had taken a few drinks of whiskey but apparently was not intoxicated. However, his friends noted that before they had finished their sport he drifted away, going on the railway to a point a short distance away where Mr. Filmore Coffey conducts a mercantile business. There he met Earl Moody. A few words were passed between the two, after which Wagner is alleged to have said, "I'll shoot you, d__ you." And he did, firing five shots all with deadly effect. Then the assailant walked to the side of the little store building, dropped the empty shells from the still smoking revolver, reloaded and proceeded a short distance up the railroad tracks, where he met Deck Byrd, who was starting for a rabbit hunt. Byrd inquired of Wagner what had happened at the store. Wagner is said to have told him he would kill him, too, and shot him down. After he fell two more bullets were sent crashing through his brain.

The killer then proceeded to the home of his father. Mr. Harrison Byrd, father of the last boy slain, demanded that he be held until it was possible to move him to the jail at Boone. A party of citizens of that section, led by Mr. Filmore Coffey, surrounded the Wagner home and finally succeeded in capturing Wagner, who was held in the depot at Foscoe. Deputy Sheriffs A. L. Gross and P. C. Wyke hurried to the scene and brought Wagner to Boone and lodged him in jail, where he was guarded during the night. Sunday afternoon he was taken to the Guilford county jail at Greensboro for safe keeping, where he will be held, awaiting the next term of Watauga superior court which convenes the last Monday in March.

The slain men were interred at Foscoe Sunday afternoon, many friends and relatives being present. They were known as good citizens, thoroughly honorable and their death brings sadness to many friends throughout the county. Moody is survived by a wife and one child, while Byrd leaves a wife and three children.

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Update. May 15. 2020

Herbert Spencer "Hub" Wagner was born 29 Mar 1896 at Shulls Mill to William Judson and Myra Ann Aldridge Wagner. Not much is known of his early life but he married for the first time on 5 Aug. 1915 (1) to Ruia Ellen Coffey, a daughter of Charles C. "Charlie" and Sophronia Phipps Coffey. Ruia died on 17 Jun. 1924 at Foscoe, Watauga Co. and was buried at the Foscoe community cemetery. (2) Together, they had a daughter, Mary Helen, born 9 Nov. 1918 in Watauga Co. Nothing more is know of her.

He married for a second time to Minnie Lee Ella Coffey, a daughter of William Pinkney and Nancy Caroline Gragg Coffey.  A marriage record hasn't been found but they are thought to have married c1926. 

Together, they had a son, Herbert "Buck", Jr., born 28 May 1927 (3) in Watauga Co., and died 30 Jan 1979.  The son married Ruby Carver, date and place not yet found, She died in 1994 and both are buried at Monte Vista Memorial Park in Johnson City, Washington Co., TN. 

The double murders occurred at Shulls Mill, Watauga Co., NC on Dec. 30, 1926 but Herbert's trial did not begin until 15 Aug 1927.(4) The venue was changed from Watauga Co. to Wilkesboro in Wilkes Co. before the trial got underway.

I have not been successful in finding newspaper reports on that trial but he was convicted for the murder of Moody some five days later. The second trial began in Wilkesboro in March, 1928 and Wagner was again found guilty of 2d degree murder of Dexter Byrd and was sentenced to 25 to 30 years with sentences for both killings to run concurrently. (5)  He was found in the North Carolina State Prison at Raleigh, Wake Co., in the 1930 census.

By 1940 he was free and working as a "drilling contractor" in Princeton, Mercer Co., WV. (6) With him was his third "wife," Ruby Leona Taylor to whom he claimed to be married.  He didn't actually marry Ruby until 15 Feb. 1950 in Tazewell, VA. (7)

He registered for the WW2 draft on 27 Apr 1942 in Bluefield, Mercer Co., VA. (8) Eight years later on 15 Mar 1958, Wagner died on heart failure at home in Banner Elk, Watauga Co., NC and was buried at Foscoe Community cemetery in Watauga Co.

I have copies of several newspaper reports that I will share on request.

Sources:

(1) index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F8QL-MMG : accessed 01 Feb 2013), Hub Wagner and Ruia Coffey, 05 Aug 1915; citing reference 7, FHL microfilm 812534.

(2) Find a Grave Memorial No. 37540991

(3) database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VH1B-CCK : 8 December 2014), Herbert Spencer Wagner Jr., 28 May 1927; from "North Carolina, Birth and Death Indexes, 1800-2000," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing vol. 13, p. 15, Watauga, North Carolina, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh.

(4) Newspaper - The Greensboro Record, Greensboro, NC, Sat., Aug. 13, 1927, Page 1

(5) Newspaper - The Greensboro Daily News, Greensboro, NC, Sat. Mar 17, 1928, Page 1

(6) United States Federal Census. Princeton, Mercer Co., WV, for year 1940

(7) Virginia Marriage Certificates, 1936-1988; database with images, Herbert Spencer Wagner and Ruby Leona Taylor, 15 Feb 1950; from "Virginia, Marriage Records, 1700-1850," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2012); citing , Tazewell, Virginia, United States, certificate 4360, Virginia Department of Health, Richmond.

(8) WW2 Draft Registration Cards, 1942 Herbert Spencer Wagner registered for the draft on Apr. 27, 1942 in Bluefield, Mercer Co., WV. He was 46 yrs. old, born Mar. 29, 1896 in Shulls Mills, NC. He was 5' 10" tall and weighed 142 lbs. He had brown eyes, gray hair and a light brown complexion. He was missing the third finger on left hand. He was a self-employed well driller who lived at 312 Front St. in Princeton, Mercer Co., WV with his wife Ruby.

William Pinkney and Nancy Caroline Gragg Coffey

Update Mar. 8, 2008 - Some of this lineage is incorrect. Corrections are in the works.

Update Oct. 8, 2012 - Note correction below

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William Pinkney Coffey was a son of Silas C. and Eleanor (Nellie) Greene. He was born c1857 at John s River in Caldwell Co., NC, and died Aug. 13, 1942 in Watauga Co.

Nancy was born in Feb., 1863 in the Globe Twp., Caldwell Co., to Johnson P. and Nancy Jane Cuthbertson Gragg. She and William were married Oct. 25, 1883 in Caldwell Co.
William and Nancy were in Caldwell Co. until sometime after 1910, and before 1920 when he was found in Watauga Twp., Watauga Co.

There were at least 12 children born to this union. Two, Nancy Elinder, born Feb., 20, 1886, and William Marshall, born Jul. 28, 1887 died about two weeks apart in Nov., 1890. A third child, Romulous Linney, born in Dec., 1894, died in 1918.
The remainder of the children were:

- Edward Henry, born Dec. 17, 1884, died Mar. 11, 1967. He married (perhaps) three times and fathered at least nine children.
- Grover Alexander, born Jun. 26, 1889, died Apr. 7, 1940. He married Sallie Byrd Moore and fathered at least four children with her.

- Maude Rebecca, born Feb. 6, 1891, died Jul. 24, 1930, married Thomas Harrison Woodie, a son of Rufus and Sara Reid Woodie. They were parents of at least 11 children.

Update Oct. 8, 2012:  In my working file Thomas Harrison Woodie was married to Maude Virginia Coffey, a daughter of Augustus and Betty Beard Coffey, which was incorrect.  The above marriage to Maude Rebecca Coffey is correct.  Thomas and Maude Rebecca are buried at Jonas Ridge community cemetery in Burke Co., NC.

I have 10 children for them:  Fannie, born Apr., 1910, died Apr., 1981, married Challis Linwood Shell, born Jul. 1910, died Aug., 1962; Rufus Paul, born Sep., 1911, died Dec., 1993; Pearl Mabel, born Jun., 1914; Cordia Lee (Cordie), born Apr., 1916, died Oct., 1983, married Coburn Franklin; Alfred, born c1919; Nancy, born c1921; Joseph David, born 1922, died Jul., 1988, married Josephine Helen Dobber; Robert Dale, born Nov., 1923, died Sep., 1975; Howard Jackson, born Jun., 1925; and Lloyd Eugene, born May 1927, died Aug., 2000.

I am working on confirming spouse names and marriage dates for some of these children.

- Bird Elizabeth (Birdie), born Apr. 26, 1893, died Apr. 25, 1982. She married Horatio A. Aldridge on Feb. 19, 1913 in Watauga Co. He was born Apr. 20, 1891 to Samuel Columbus and Margaret Melissa Buchanana Aldridge. They were parents of at least six children.

- Adelaide Louisa (Addie), born Jan. 4, 1897, died Nov. 10, 1942. She married Thomas Arville Storie, a son of Jeremiah and Alice Carlton Storie. Thomas was born c1891. They had at least five children.

- Jennie Lynn, born Sep. 9, 1899, died Jun. 16, 1974 in Prince George Co., MD. She married a distance cousin, Vance Stephenson Coffey on Jul. 4, 1916. Vance was a son of Charles and Sophronia Phipps Coffey. They were parents of at least four children.

- Walter Johnson, born Aug. 17, 1907, died Aug. 29, 1957. He married Bonnie Sluder, a daughter of Andrew and Judy Sluder. They were parents of at least two children. Bonnie died in 1930, and Walter later married Rachel Dean, the widow of Millard Oscar Hampton. She and Walter had at least one child.

- Emma Destemonia, born Apr. 30, 1902, died May 29, 2000. She married Ben Moore on Feb. 14, 1947 and, was later married to James Logan Bladgett.

- Minnie Lee Ella, born Jun. 9, 1904, died Jun. 8, 1992. She was first married to Herbert Spencer (Hub) Wagner in about 1925. Hub was first married to Ruie Ellen Coffey. After her death in 1924 he married Minnie. Hub was convicted of murdering Earl Moody and Deck Byrd on Christmas Day in 1926. Following his release he is thought to have moved to WVa. After Hub, Minnie married Stanford Councill Coffey, a son of Jesse Filmore and Harriett Melissa Calloway Coffey. Minnie and Stanford were also distant cousins.

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

Robey James and Nelia Joan Moretz Coffey

Robey James was born Jul. 16, 1888 in the Globe Twp, Caldwell Co., NC. He was a son of Henry Kelly (Caleb) and Sarah Jane Gragg Coffey.

The given name of Robey was a somewhat popular name for boys in NC in the 1800's, and can be found spelled many ways; e.g., Roby, Robey, Robie, etc. I am not sure why the name was so popular in many Coffey families in western NC. Perhaps there was a well loved preacher, doctor or other prominent person with that name in that time. It's rather like some other popular names such as Finley and Avery, names of politicians and pioneers, given I suppose to boys in all families, not just Coffeys. I can only wish that more pioneers, politicians and people of note had been honored, and not so many named Jesse, James, Edward, Sarah, Mary and Elizabeth.

Be that as it may, Robey married Nelia Joan Moretz on Mar. 11, 1907, probably in Watauga Co. She was born Dec. 5, 1888, again probably in Watauga Co., to Jerome C. and Epsie E. Hagaman Moretz. Moretz ancestors were some of the early settlers in western NC.

Robey died Oct. 19, 1957 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co., and Nelia died Dec. 22, 1979 in Watauga Co. He is buried in the Pisgah Chapel Cemetery in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. I do not know where Nelia is buried, but presume that she lies adjacent to Robey.

When he registered for the draft on Jun. 5, 1917, he was 29 years old, and described himself as being stout with a medium build, blue eyes and was partially bald with light colored hair. He gave his occupation as farmer and blacksmith. There were five children in the household. A sixth child was born not too long after he registered.

I have found six children born to them:

Clarence Alexander, born Dec. 7, 1907, died Jul. 27, 1995. Clarence married Sarah Verlee Bryant, a daughter of Wilson Bradshaw and Nora Townsend Bryant. She was born Jul. 27, 1906 in Caldwell Co., and died Jun. 7, 2006 in Lenoir. Both are buried as Pisgah. Their children are: James Wilson, Walter Wayne, Charles Alex, Donald Raymond and Roy Lee.

His obituary:

Clarence Alexander Coffey, 87, of Route 13, Lenoir, died Thursday, July 27, 1995 at Valdese General Hospital.

He was born Dec. 7, 1907 in Caldwell Co. to the late Roby James Coffey and Nealie Hagaman [sic] Coffey. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Linny Coffey.

Mr. Coffey was a retired sawmiller and member of Harrisburg Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Sarah Verlee Bryant Coffey of the home; five sons, Ray lee Coffey of Granite Falls, James Wilson Coffey, Walter Wayne Coffey, Donald Raymond Coffey and Charles Alex Coffey, all of Lenoir; one brother, Frank Coffey of Lenoir; two sisters, Epsie Greene and Gracie Smith, both of Lenoir; 12 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

The funeral is 2 p.m. Saturday at Pendry's Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Ted Williams and Tommy James officiating. Burial will be in the Pisgah baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends tonight from 6 until 8:30 at the funeral home.

Gracie Jane, born Oct. 6, 1909 in Mulberry, Caldwell Co. and died in that county on Jul. 8, 1996. She is thought to have married a James E. Smith but, I have found no records. Gracie is buried at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Lenoir.

Her obituary:

Gracie Coffey Smith, 86, of Pope Place, Lenoir, died Monday, July 8, 1996 at Quality Care Rest Home.

She was born Oct. 6, 1909, in Caldwell County to the late Roby J. and Nelia Moretz Coffey. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Clarence and Linney Coffey, and one sister, Eula Greene.

Mrs. Smith was a retired hosiery mill employee and a member of Shiloh United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her husband, James E. Smith of Lenoir; one brother, Frank Coffey of Lenoir; and one sister, Epsey Greene of Lenoir.

A graveside service will be Wednesday at Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery at 11 a.m. with the Rev. James Evans officiating.

Mackie-High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Eula Ruth, born 1912, died 1980. No further information.

Henry Frank, born Aug. 13, 1914 in Caldwell Co., and died there on Jul 13, 2003. He married Carlue (Charlene?) Hamby c1942. They had at least four children: Judy Elaine, Joseph Edward, Bonnie Kaye and Lynnie Jean.

His obituary:

Henry Frank Coffey, 88, of Churchview Lane, Lenoir, died Sunday, July 13, 2003, at the residence.

He was born Aug. 13, 1914, in Caldwell County to the late Roby Coffey and Nelia Moretz Coffey. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, C. A. Coffey and L.J. Coffey, and two sisters, Eula Greene and Gracie Smith.

Mr. Coffey was a member of Mulberry Baptist Church and was a U.S. Army veteran.

Survivors include three daughters, Judy Tripeltt of Lenoir, Bonnie Dodson of Robinsville and Lynnie McLoud of Trinity; two sons, J. E. Coffey of Lenoir and Joey Coffey of Boone; their mother, Charlue Greene of Robinsville; a sister, Epsie Greene of Lenoir; seven grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be may made to: Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Linney James, born in Watauga on Aug. 21, 1916, died in Caldwell on Dec. 1, 1995. He married Margaret Myrtle Walsh and they were the parents of Brenda Joyce, Patricia Ann and Kathy Sue.

Epsey Lou, born Oct. 13, 1918 in Boone, and died oct. 6, 2003 in Lenoir. She married Arvil Hansford Greene, a son of Alexander and Mollie Church Greene. He was born Jan. 2, 1917 in Watauga. I have not found a death date for him. Their children are: Otis Hubert, Juanita Dare, Treva Ann, and one unnamed child.

Her obituary:

Epsey Coffey Greene, 84, of Hollywood Ridge Road, Lenoir, died Monday, Oct. 6, 2003, at Lenoir Healthcare Center.

She was born Oct. 14, 1918 in Watauga County to the late Robey J. and Nellie Moretz Coffey. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Clarence Coffey, Lenny Coffey and Frank Coffey, and two sisters, Gracie Smith and Eula Greene.

Mrs. Greene was a homemaker and a member of Yadkin Valley Baptist Church where she was a former Sunday school teacher.

Survivors include her husband, Arvil H. Greene of the home; two sons, Otis H. Greene and Maynard C. Greene, both of Lenoir; two daughters, Ms. Juanita Dare Sparks and Mrs. Allen (Treva) Hennessee, both of Lenoir; nine grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel conducted by the Revs. Bobby Pritchard and Paul Dula. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 7 until 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Serving as pallbearers will be: Lonnie Greene, Henry Sutton, Clayton Watson, Dean Barrett, Mark Dula and Dylan Faulk.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

Marriage dates for some families are difficult to come by. Please contact me at the above e-mail address if you can add to or correct any of this information.

Dell Carlton and Mary Jane Bodenhamer Coffey

Dell was the third of 12 children and third son of William Luther and Mary Salome Moretz Coffey. He was born Jul. 1, 1875 in Watauga Co., and died there on Jun. 4, 1963. Mary Jane was born Apr. 18, 1876 in Yadkin Co., NC and died in Watauga Co. on Nov. 7, 1964. She and Dell were married in Big Hill, Watauga Co. on Nov. 6, 1895. Both are buried at the Old Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church Cemetery in Watauga Co.

The union of Dell and Mary produced 13 children between Oct., 1896 and Oct., 1920. Five of those children were lost before age 10. Seven of them lived an average life span of 82 years. Three of those seven lived more than 90 years with one living to age 98. One child is still living.

The obituary of their ninth child and fifth son Paul Alfred, appeared today in The Watauga Democrat, Boone, NC.

Mr. Paul Alfred Coffey, 98, of 1900 Hillsmere Lane, Staunton, Va., formerly of Boone, N.C., died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008, at Loyalton of Staunton.

He was born Dec. 30, 1909 in Watauga County, a son of the late Dell C. and Mary Bodenhamer Coffey.

Mr. Coffey was a member of Old Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church, and was a farmer. Survivors include one sister, Anna Belle Norris of Salisbury; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by six brothers and five sisters.

Graveside services and burial was conducted Sunday afternoon, Jan. 13, 2008, at 3 o’clock at the Old Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church Cemetery.

The family received friends Sunday from 1-2:30 p.m. at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, 6411 Middlebrook Road, Middlebrook, VA 24459; or to the Old Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, in care of George Winebarger, 1767 Burkett Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Henry Funeral Home, Inc., in Staunton, Va., and Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Coffey family.

Their other children were:

Robert Leroy, born Oct. 28, 1896, died May 13, 1974. He was married on Jul. 14, 1920 to Bertie Blanche Walls, born Sep. 13, 1904, died Feb. 22, 1979. They had at least six children: Wade Leroy, Hattie Mae, William Franklin, Frances Viola, Agnes Ruth, and Vera Lee.

Ora Estella, born Aug. 1, 1898, died Nov. 27, 1985. She was married to James Stewart Barnes on Feb. 13, 1924. He was born Sep. 25, 1894 and died Mar. 20, 1965. They had at least four children: James Andrew, Mary Elizabeth, one unnamed daughter and, Rebecca Ann.

Mrs. Estella Coffey Barnes, 87, of Route 2, Boone, died Wednesday morning, Nov.27, at her home. Mrs. Barnes was born Aug. 1, 1898 in Watauga County to Dell Calvin and Mary Jane Bodenhamer. She was the wife of the late Stewart James Barnes. Mrs. Barnes was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church and had attended the Perkinsville Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school for a number of years. She was employed for many years as the first secretary of the Appalachian Normal School, which later became Appalachian State University. She was a long time hand-weaving crafts person and was a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild.

Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Richards, Mrs. Betty Elliott, and Mrs. Rebecca Miller, all of Boone; one son, James A. Barnes of Winston-Salem; one sister, Mrs. Anna Belle Norris of Kannapolis; three brothers, Ira Coffey of Buckingham, Va., Paul Coffey of Middlebrook, Va., Glenn Coffey of Boone; and 13 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

Services were conducted today at 2 p.m. at the Perkinsville Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Jim Russell, the Rev. Bob Young, and the Rev. Bob Barlow. Burial followed at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Directors in Boone were in charge of the arrangements.

William Edgar, born Feb. 5, 1900, died Oct. 3, 1906

Mamie, born Nov. 15, 1901, died Dec. 22, 1901

Emma Edith, born Nov. 11, 1902, died Dec. 19, 1902

Addie Lee, born Jan. 10, 1904, died Feb. 14, 1964. She married Lynman Paul Norris on Mar. 16, 1928. He was born c1900 and died Mar. 3, 1936. They had at least three children: Kay Phyllis, Wanda Delrey and Stanley Paul.

David Glenn, born Feb. 27, 1906, died Apr. 17, 1996. He was married on Aug. 14, 1933 to Reba Wynn [?] Jones. She was born Aug. 17, 1917 and died Apr. 8, 2002. They had at least four children: Billy Glenn, Janet Maxine, James Howard and Mary Lorene.

His obituary appeared in The Watauga Democrat, Boone, N.C., April 19, 1996

Mr. David Glenn Coffey, 90, of 110 Burkett Road, Route 2, Boone, died Wednesday night, April 17, in Morganton.

He was born Feb. 27, 1906, in Watauga County, a son of the late Dell and Mary Bodenhamer Coffey. He retired from the security department of Appalachian State University after 18 years of service and was a member of Old Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Reba Jone [sic] Coffey; three sons, Billy Coffey and his wife, Sandy, of Powell, Tenn., James Howard Coffey and his wife, Janice, and Joe L. Coffey and his wife, Joyce, all of Clemmons; two daughters, Mrs. Maxine McGuire and her husband, Tom, of Kansas City, Missouri and Mrs. Lorene Williams and her husband, Ted, of Kingsport, Tenn.; two brothers, Ira Coffey of Buckingham, Va., and Paul Coffey of Middlebrook, Va.; one sister, Mrs. Anna Belle Norris of Kannapolis. Ten grandchildren, 11 greatpgrandchildren, two step-grandchildren, four step-great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews also survive.

He was preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters, and a granddaughter, Miss Janet Lee Coffey.

Services will be Saturday at 2:00 o'clock at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state from 12:30 until 2 p.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Harwood Smith. Burial will follow in the Old Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Ira Calton, born Jul. 15, 1908, died Jan. 30, 2000 in Buckingham Co., VA. He married Mary Ruth Bradshaw of Bluff City, Sullivan Co., TN. No further information.

Paul Alfred, born Dec. 30, 1909, died Jan. 10, 2008 (See obituary above; he apparently never married)

Walter Murray, born Jul. 22, 1912,died Mar. 3, 1985. He married Mary Cleo Proffitt on Dec. 22, 1938. She was born Feb. 16, 1916 and died Sep. 14, 1989. Their children were Nancy Louise, Kent William, one unnamed daughter, and Jane Elizabeth.

Anna Belle, born Jan. 28, 1915, married Dale Cloyd Norris on Jul. 23, 1939. He died Dec. 2, 2007 in Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC. Their children were Gary, Mickey Alan, and Daniel lee.

Ray Albert, born Sep. 20, 1918, died Oct. 29, 1928

Viola Mary, born Oct. 31, 1920, died Mar. 20, 1921

All of the children were born in Watauga Co. It appears that all of the known deceased, with the exception of Ora Estella and Ira Calton are buried with their parents at Old Mt. Pleasant. Ora is buried at Mt. Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens in Boone. I am not sure where Ira is buried; perhaps in Buckingham Co., VA.

The Norris spouses were children of Millard Harrison and Ida Delrea [Del Rea?] Davis Norris. Their daughter, Marion Edna Norris married William Leon Coffey, another son of William Luther and Mary Moretz Coffey.

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

Squire Coffey

Squire Coffey, born c1803 in Burke Co., NC, was a son of Smith Coffey and Hannah Boone. One genealogy that I have seen indicates that he married Nancy Moore on Dec. 29, 1824 in Burke Co. Nancy, is it said, was born Jan. 13, 1806 in Caldwell Co., and died there in 1826. Apparently there were no live children born to their union.

A Burke Co. marriage bond by Daniel Moore - perhaps some kin to Nancy - shows the marriage of Squire on Dec. 29, 1824 to Nancy. A History of Watauga County and, North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868 show that Squire married Alley Webb with bond dated Oct. 2, 1828 in Burke Co. Daniel Moore was a witness. Another genealogy report submitted by Charles Crabtree for inclusion in the Edward Coffey Project contains this information:

Smith W. Coffey's father, Squire Coffey was born about 1802\3 in Burke County North Carolina and died after 1840 in Cherokee County North Carolina, reportedly buried in the Peachtree Cemetery in the same county.

Squire and Alley (Ella?) had at least four children:

Margaret, born c1833, died May, 29, 1899. Margaret married Joseph Baker c1835 in North Carolina. I have found only two children for them: William, born c1847 and Mary, born c1849.

Smith, born May 1832, died Jan. 11, 1916.

Henry, born c1837 in Burke Co. He married Elizabeth Kendall, a daughter of William and Sarah D. Kendall around 1860. Elizabeth was born c1847 in North Carolina. Henry apparently died before 1870 - perhaps in the Civil War - because Elizabeth appears in the 1870 census with her parents in Caldwell Co. With her was her daughter, Laura, born in Aug., 1861.

I have one other child for Squire and Alley. She was Mary, born c1838 but I have not found her after 1850 when she was in the household with her widowed mother in Caldwell Co.

Squire died after 1840 and is thought to be buried somewhere in Cherokee Co., NC. I have not yet found a death date or place for Alley.

Please contact me with additions or corrections.

Smith W. and Charity Elizabeth Redmond Coffey

Some time ago I wrote about Smith and Elizabeth and wondered if her name was Charity Elizabeth. Besides census information, another researcher has confirmed to me that her name was indeed Charity Elizabeth.

Smith was born May, 1832 in Burke Co., NC and died Jan. 11, 1916 in Carter Co., TN. Charity was born Jun. 25, 1836 in Caldwell Co., and died May 20, 1912, perhaps in Carter Co., or Caldwell Co., NC. They were married in Caldwell Co. on Jun. 25, 1854.

Both are buried in the Coffey Cemetery at Shulls Mills in Watauga Co., NC. That cemetery is located on the Old Turnpike Road, NC road 1568, near the Hounds Ears Club at Shulls Mill. For GPS users, I have those coordinates as N:36:10:40, W:081:44:43.

In 1850 Smith was still in the household with his widowed mother, Ella or Alley Webb Coffey. After he married Charity they remained in Caldwell Co. for awhile then relocated to Cherokee Co. where they are found in the 1860 census. In 1861 Smith entered the Civil War on the Confederate side when he enlisted in Co. A, 2nd Cav. Regt., NC.

I do not know when he was released, and have not found the family in the 1870 census. By 1880 they were back in Watauga Co where I believe they remained until after the 1910 census when they relocated to Carter Co. Charity is thought to have died in NC so Smith may have moved to Carter Co. to be near or, perhaps to live with one of his children. In any event, he was returned to Watauga Co. and his final resting place.

There were at least nine children born to Smith and Charity.

- Emma Irene, born Oct., 1855. She married James Cozart, born c1864 in NC. Children born to Emma and James were: Thomas; Walter Smith; Mary Etta; Charles L.; Luna Maggie; James Hill; Henry B.; and Nancy Elizabeth.

- Thomas Clingman, born Nov. 17, 1858 in Caldwell Co., and died Feb., 1932 in NC. He married
his cousin, Margaret Coffey on Mar. 28, 1875 in Caldwell Co. Margaret was the daughter of William Coffey, Jr., and Margaret Robbins. Margaret and Thomas has at least four children: Lula V., born Jul. 1883; Finley Houck, born Aug. 22, 1886; Jesse C., born Dec. 15, 1890, died Jan. 22, 1982; and Margaret Elizabeth, born Aug., 1893. Lula had at least two children whose father is not named in the birth record: Collis Hill, born 1904, died 1975; and Jessie M., born c1912.

Finley married Effie Turnmire and has at least 10 children. Jessie married Martha Hawkins and had at least two children: Ruth J., born c1920 and Jesse Alvis, born Aug. 26, 1926, died Apr. 17, 1972. Margaret Elizabeth married a distant cousin, James Franklin Coffey, a son of Elijah and Caroline Dobbins Coffey.

- William M. Coffey, born Mar. 15, 1861 in NC, died Jun. 28, 1928. He married Emma Coffey, a distant cousin and daughter of Levi and Temperance Calloway Coffey. William and Mary had at least three children: Hardie Lee, born Apr. 14, 1884, died Jan. 29, 1937; William Cloyd, born Oct., 1886, died May 28, 1950; and Myrtle Virginia, born Jun,, 3, 1893. Hardy married his distant cousin, Anna Elizabeth Coffey, a daughter of George Calvin and Louisa Curtis Coffey. They had at least two children: Carlos Dean, born 1911 and Beulah, born 1914. William Cloyd married Ella Belle Honeycutt on mar. 15, 1908 in Watauga Co. Ella was born c1892 in NC and died Dec. 18, 1978 in Hickory, Catawba Co., NC. Their children were: Bertha Mae, born Jan. 28, 1909, died Jul. 17, 1993; Cora Lee, born May 25, 1911; and William Frank, born Sep. 14, 1915.

- Mary Ella, born Oct, 1865, married Levi L. Coffey, a son of Elisha Coffey and Anna Harmon Moody. Mary Ella and Levi were married Jan. 1, 1892 in Watauga Co. I have only one child for them, Henry Olivar, born Jul. 25, 1889. Henry married Zettie Chloe Honeycutt on Mar. 23, 1913 in Watauga Co. Zettie may be related to Ella Belle, wife of William Cloyd (above) but, I have not looked.

- Margaret V. (Virginia?), born c1867 in NC, married John L. Mays, a son of John Larkin Mays and Nancy Jane Cozart.  Again, there is likely some relation between Nancy Jane and James who married Emma Irene, but I have not looked. Margaret and John had at least one child, James Thomas, born Apr. 29, 1894.

Virginia Brown

Henry Boone Coffey

- Henry Boone, born Jun. 20, 1872 in NC, died Sep. 16, 1938 in Watauga Co. He married Virginia Frances (Jennie) Brown on Oct. 8, 1905 in Watauga Co. Jennie had been previously married to Leroy Starnes (no known children) . Her second husband was Archie Coffey, a son of Levi and Temperance Calloway Coffey. Henry was her third marriage. She had at least one child by Archie, Paul Arch, born Aug. 30, 1901, died Mar. 25, 1957. Children by Henry were Ray Plez, born 1907, died 1960; Beatrice Franced, born 1908, died 1995; Lillian Jessie, born 1910, died 1988; and Glenn Hinkle, born 1918.

- Charles (Charlie), born Aug. 20, 1872 in Watauga Co., and died there on Dec. 21, 1944. He married Saphronia Phills on Nov. 5, 1893 in Watauga Co. She was born Oct. 6, 1870 in Ashe Co., NC and died Apr. 30, 1928 in Caldwell Co. Their children were nine: Vance Stevenson, born 1894, died 1967; Ruia Ellen, born 1896, died 1924; Lillie Emmaline, born 1899, died 1988; Arthur Edward, born 1901, died 1025; Charles Frederick, born 1903, died 1981; Parker Olton (Alton?), born 1905, died 1979; Nancy Marie, born 1908, died 1928; Alverda Caudis, born 1910, died 1992; and Addie Berthella, born 1913.

- Susie Annie, born c1875 in NC, married William Henderson Calloway or Halloway. No other information.

- Lee Nelson, born Jun. 10, 1878 in NC, died Aug. 23, 1960 in NC. He married another of the Honeycutt girls, Ada B., born c1877. I know of only one child, Stewart Horton, born Jan. 6, 1908, died Jan. 23, 1990.

I have more ancestral as well as descendant information for some of this family.

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

Ellis Empsey Marshall Coffey

In this photo, L-R, is: Herman Herbert Coffey, born Apr. 3, 1902, died c1919; Ellis Empsey Coffey, and Josie Ella Coffey, children of Henry and Sarah Jane.

I have previously written about the parents of Ellis, Henry Kelly (Caleb) and Sarah Jane Gragg Coffey. Ellis was the seventh of 10 children of Henry and Sarah, and was born Sep. 18, 1895 in the Globe township of Caldwell Co., NC.

Ellis married Zora Alice Phillips (marriage date not found, but probably c1920). She was born Dec. 8, 1896 in Ashe Co., NC and died Dec. 24, 1928 in Watauga Co. Her death occurred just about eight months following the birth of Edna Faye, leaving Ellis alone with five children, all under seven years. Zora was buried at Brown's Chapel in Watauga Co.

Sometime shortly after Zora's death he married Hettie Taylor, born Mar. 7, 1907, died Jul. 29, 1972. She is also buried at Browns Chapel.

There were three known children born to this union: John Thomas, born Mar. 4, 1933; Dorothy Louise, born May 1, 1937; and Dan Graham, born Apr. 13, 1939.

The birth record for the first child gives Hettie's surname as Taylor. The records of the next two gives her name as Hettie Harrison. She may have been previously married.

I did find a birth record for a male child born to Hettie Taylor and Ellis Harrison in 1933. This is likely a name entry error because their son John Thomas, was born that year. The given name Ellis for Mr. Harrison is also a bit too coincidental.

Ellis died Apr. 7, 1965 in Watauga Co. His headstone reveals that he was a WW1 veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart medal.

Ellis and Zora were parents of at least five children:

Arthur Henry, born Feb. 8, 1921, died Jul. 16, 1993 in Jefferson Davis Parish, La. In 1930 he was still living with his parents in Watauga Co. I have no further information.

Herman Eugene, born Jun. 20, 1922 in Watauga Co., died Mar. 6, 1989 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., NC. He married Sally Kate Greer (marriage date not found, but probably late 1940s). Together they were the parents of at least three children: Sam Curtis Coffey, born Oct. 10, 1950; William Ellis Coffey, born Oct. 27, 1952; and Martha Jean Coffey, born Jul. 24, 1957, all in Watauga Co. Sally Kate was the daughter of Arnet and Hazel Snow Eggers Greer and was born Jul. 24, 1930 in Watauga Co.

Twins Ida Mae and Ella May, born Mar. 1, 1924. [Larry Williams, in an e-mail on Nov. 7, 2010, informed me that Ida and Ella were the same person: "Mama disliked Ila (or Ida) so much that when she was grown she listed her name as Ella."

Edna Faye, born Apr. 20, 1928. Edna married Quinton Jones Wheeler on Dec. 6, 1947 in Watauga Co. I have found only one child for them: Mary Adinia Wheeler, born Jul. 17, 1950 in Watauga Co.

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

Photos courtesy Mary Ann Sherfey Westerman

Norma Pauline Coffey

I have previously written about Pauline and her parents, Olin J. and Estie Coffey Coffey.

Norma was born Jun. 3, 1924 in Watauga Co., NC and died Nov. 9, 2003 in Denton, Davidson Co., NC. She married Rev. Howard Thomas Hodges on Oct. 22, 1924.

When her mother died Norma's father placed her for adoption and she was taken into the William Washington Collins family. Lee Ella Coffey Collins was first cousin to Olin.

This photo is of Norma in her golden years:

Her obituary:

Norma C. Hodges

DENTON | Norma Coffey Hodges, 79, of Denton, died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2003, at her home. A memorial service will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Zion Baptist Church in Morganton, where she was a member.

Mrs. Hodges was born June 3, 1924, in Watauga County to Olin J. and Estie Coffey Coffey. She was a homemaker. She was married to the Rev. Howard Thomas Hodges, her husband of 56 years, who died April 20, 2001. She was also preceded in death by her foster family, Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Collins, Sally Collins and Spencer and Staple Collins.

Surviving are two daughters, Rebecca Parsons and her husband, Lloyd, of Denton and Susan Bullard of Fort Mill, S.C., and six grandchildren, Jessica, Caitlin and Rob Bullard of Fort Mill, S.C., Matthew and Jen Parsons of Richlands and Amanda Perez of High Point.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cedar Grove Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1048, Linwood, N.C. 27299.

Briggs Funeral Home in Denton is assisting the Hodges family.

Comments and/or corrections can be sent to me at the above e-mail address.

The Candy Kitchen

The Candy Kitchen had been owed by a Mr. Anthony Cory. He was, I believe, the second of the three husbands of Olive Manila Dula. Olive was the daughter of Arthur Hill and Mary Jane Coffey Dula.

Cory was born in the Syrian Arabic Republic and immigrated to the United States about 1901. The original spelling of his name may have been Khouri.

He appeared in the 1920 and 1930 Winston-Salem, NC census as Anthony Cory. In 1930 he was a 49-year old divorced man living in the household with his widowed mother, Rosa Jakayre [sic], He listed his occupation as owner of the Candy Kitchen.

Sometime later Mr. Cory sold the store to Zenobian Michael Koontz.

In this photo of the interior, the lady in the white top is Cleta (or Cleda) Dula who married J. T. Nicholson. The lady in black is Ruth Virginia Dula Koontz. Next to her is her husband, Mr. Zenobian Michael Koontz. Ruth and Mr. Koontz were owners of the store. Both ladies were children of Arthur Hill and Mary Jane Coffey Dula, and sisters to Olive Manila.

Ruth was born Aug. 5, 1904 and Cleda was born on Sep. 17, 1917. Ruth and Zenobian married on Nov. 12, 1927 in Forsyth Co. He was born Jul. 12, 1902 in Davidson Co., NC and, died in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co. in May, 1981. I have found only one child for them: Ramona Jane, born May 3, 1929 in Watauga Co.

I have not found any children that were born to Cleda and Mr. Nicholson.

Mary Jane Coffey Dula was the daughter of Thomas Avery and Louisa E. Gragg Coffey. She was born in Aug., 1874 in Caldwell Co., NC and died on May 26, 1955. Arthur Hill Dula was born Jan., 1867 and died on Sep. 7, 1948. They were married on Oct. 11, 1892 in Watauga Co. Arthur Hill Dula was brother to Mary Laura Dula who married John Wesley Coffey, brother to Mary Jane.


This photo is Mr. Cory at the store front before selling to Koontz. The store was located on the east side of Winston-Salem in Forsyth Co., NC. I have heard that the building is still standing.

Corrections and/or additions can be sent to me using the e-mail address above.

Reuben Finley and Flora Ellen Hollifield Coffey

I have previously written about Reuben and Flora Ellen and their descendants. I have just received photographs of them and some of their descendants.

This photo was accompanied by one of their sons, Wiley Earl and another of Wiley Earl, Jr. All of the photographs are courtesy of Steve Coffey Schmidt, a son of Wiley Earl, Jr. who was subsequently adopted by his mother's second husband.



This is a photo of Wiley Earl and his wife Edna Mae Story. Wiley was born on Jul. 11, 1902 in Globe Twp., Caldwell Co., NC and died Mar. 9, 1972 in Watauga Co., NC. Edna Mae was born Jul. 14, 1904 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., and died Aug. 21, 1980 in Shelby, Cleveland Co., NC. She was the daughter of Joshua Clingman and Martha Anne Day Story. Wiley and Edna are buried at the Catawba Memorial Park in Hickory, Catawba Co., NC. Edna was a school teacher and also worked for the US Postal Service.



This photograph is of Wiley Earl Coffey, Jr. and wife Lee Ann Wagner on their wedding day. Wiley began his naval career as an enlisted man and rose to the rank of Lt. Commander with 30 years of service. After retirement from the Navy, Wiley, Jr. joined the Merchant Marine and served for another 20 years, rising to the rank of Captain. Quite a remarkable career!

Wiley died on Aug. 14, 2004 at Virginia Beach, VA. and is buried in that city.

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

Coffey Cemeteries in Watauga Co., NC

As might be imagined, it is quite difficult for someone in Louisiana to determine official vs local names of the various Coffey cemeteries in Watauga Co.

Burial information is available on various websites listing individuals buried in "Coffey Family Cemetery" but, I am unsure if they are all in the same cemetery.

Please contact me if you can provide "official" names and locations and/or, accurate GPS coordinates for any of the Watauga Co. cemeteries where the following are buried:

Thomas Carlton and Martha Ellen Cook Coffey Family:

Thomas Carlton Coffey, born Jan. 1, 1853, died Dec. 17, 1915
Martha Ellen Cook Coffey, born Jul. 3, 1858, died Mar. 25, 1939
Emma L. Coffey, born Jan. 21, 1880, died Jul. 10, 1885
Franklin M. Coffey, born Jan. 6, 1890, died 10 Feb. 1890
James Burton Coffey, born Feb. 11, 1878, died Nov. 2, 1900
Thomas Carlton Coffey, Jr., born May 1, 1895, died May 1, 1895

Children of Marion Oliver and Lydia Ruth Edmisten Coffey:

John Robert Coffey, born Aug. 12, 1922, died Oct. 11, 1923
Marion Audra Coffey, born Oct. 6, 1924, died Jan. 8, 1925
Sadie Ruth Coffey, born Mar. 4, 1926, died Feb. 15, 1927
William Ray Coffey, born May 27, 1920, died Nov. 10, 1996

Millard Winfield Day Family:

Nancy Isabelle Coffey, wife of Millard Winfield Day, born Oct. 3, 1876, died Dec. 12, 1834
Anna Selma Day, daughter of Millard, born Jan. 17, 1906, died Jun. 8, 1908

George Hamilton Hayes Family:

Rosa Ethel (Rosie) Coffey, wife of George Hamilton Hayes, born Jan. 15, 1883, died Jan. 2, 1940
Joseph Ransom Hayes, son of George and Rosa, born Sep. 10, 1912, died Feb. 13, 2005

Smith W. Coffey Family:

Smith W. Coffey, born May 1832, died Jan. 11, 1916 in Carter Co., TN, buried in Coffey Cemetery at Shull Mills, NC. Son of Squire and Ella (Alley?) Webb Coffey.
Elizabeth Redmond [sic], wife of Smith, born Jun. 25, 1836, died May 20, 1912

Henry Boone Coffey Family:

Virginia Frances (Jennie) Brown, born Sep. 25, 1878, died Jul. 1, 1962, buried at Shulls Mill.

I can be reached at the above e-mail address.

Samuel and Ella Nore (Noria) Wright McCroskey

Noria was a daughter of Thomas A. and Margaret Ann Coffey Wright. According to the Caldwell Co., NC Register of Deeds, she was born c1879 in that county. She died there on Dec. 18, 1942.1

Sarah first married Henderson Phillips in Watauga Co., NC on Oct. 16, 1896.2 I have no information on Henderson but, do not believe any children were born to this union. Sarah's second husband was Samuel Wiley McCroskey, born Apr. 10, 1869 in Bluff City, Sullivan Co., TN, died Apr. 14, 1926 in Caldwell Co., NC.

Samuel had been previously married to Eva Trique3 [sic] on Mar. 7, 1896 in Knox Co., TN. I have no information of Eva and, to my knowledge there were no children.

In the June 1900 Knox Co., TN census Noria was found in the household with the Ed. Haupt family, her sister and brother-in-law. She was enumerated as 21 years old and single. She married Samuel, and by 1910 they are in Caldwell Co. where they lived out the remainder of their lives.

Noria died Dec. 18, 1942 and was buried in the Boone Fork Baptist Church cemetery in Watauga Co. Sam died well before that, on Apr. 14, 1926. He too is buried at Boone Fork.

Sam and Noria had at least eight children:

1 - Raymond R., born May, 1902, died Feb. 16, 1926

2 - Mae, born Jul. 11, 1904, died Jul. 17, 1983. She married Samuel Woodie (date unk) and gave birth to at least five children: Wyley, Odis Eugene, Esta, Roy and Ernest, all born between c1922 and c1928, and probably all in Avery Co. Sam died in Jul., 1966 and May in Jul., 1983.

3 - Lula Nevada, born Apr. 15, 1907, died May 2, 1987 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co. She apparently married very late in life to Floyd Whisenant. She is buried at Boone Fork.

Her obituary:

Mrs. Lula McCroskey Whisenant, 80, of Route 1, Blowing rock, a former resident
of Colletsville, died Saturday evening, May 2, at Blowing Rock Hospital after a long illness. Mrs. Whisenant was the widow of Floyd Whisenant and was a member of the Boone Form Baptist Church. She was born April 15, 1907 in Caldwell County, a daughter of the late Wiley and Ella Nora Wright McCroskey. Surviving are several nieces and nephews, including the Mae Woodie family of Jonas Ridge, the Ester and Mack Coffey family and the Earl and Mary Lois McCroskey family of Blowing Rock and the Edith Townsend family and Lawrence McCroskey family of Lenoir. Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 at the Boone Form Baptist Church. The body will lie in state at the church from 11:30 until 2 p.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Everett Little. Burial will follow in the Boone Fork Cemetery. The family will receive friends this evening from 7 until 9 at Reins-Sturdivant. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

4 - Earl Lemuel, born Feb., 1909, died Jan., 19675 in Caldwell Co. Earl married Gladis [sic] L. Hatley in 1929 at Shulls Mill in Watauga Co. Gladis was the daughter of Jackson Sidney (Jack) and Drusilla Phillips Hatley. I am not yet certain whether Gladis died or, if they were divorced. Together, they had at least four children: Dorothy Louise, Roger, Daniel and David. Earl married for a second time to Mary Lois Coffey, a daughter of Thomas Leroy (Tom) and Alice Sanders Coffey. Mary was born Mar. 10, 19264 in Caldwell Co., and died Apr. 16, 2005 in Blowing Rock. Mary and Earl are buried at White Springs Cemetery in Watauga Co.

Mary's obituary:

Mrs. Mary Lois McCroskey, 79, of 6130 Highway 221 South, Blowing Rock, died
Saturday night, April 16, 2005, at Blowing Rock Hospital. She was born March 10, 1926, in Caldwell County, a daughter of the late Thomas LeRoy and Alice Sanders Coffey. Mrs. McCroskey was a member of First Independent Baptist Church in Blowing Rock. Survivors include two daughters, Estie Ruppard and husband, Dwight, of Blowing Rock, and Joy Martinez and husband, Tony, of Granite Falls; one son, Mitchell Coffey of Blowing Rock; two step-sons, Roger McCroskey and Daniel McCroskey, both of Hudson. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl McCroskey; one daughter, Jessie Price; one step-daughter, Louise Harrison; one step-son, David McCroskey; two granddaughters, Lisa and Tammy Coffey; four sisters; and four brothers. Services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state from 1-2 p.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Darrell Miller and the Rev. Vance Triplett. Burial will follow in White Springs Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday afternoon from 1-2 p.m. at the funeral home, prior to the service. At other times, friends may call at the McCroskey residence, 6130 Highway 221 South, Blowing Rock. Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

The children of Earl and Mary Lois were three:

Jesse Irene, born Feb. 6, 1946, died Jul. 30, 1997; Estie Rosie, born Feb. 23, 1952; and Joy Lela, born Feb. 8, 1962.

5 - Lany Esther married Clayton McDonald (Mack) Coffey in Mountain City, Johnson Co., TN. Lany was born Dec. 13, 1910 in Watauga Co., and died there on Jun. 7, 1978. She is buried at Boone Fork. She and Mack had eight children. More info can be found by clicking on Lany's link.

6 - Edward Lawrence, born Mar. 15, 19156 in Caldwell Co., died Apr. 11, 1941 in Bluefield, Mercer Co., WV. He married Jackie [or perhaps Lockie] Delana Hatley, another daughter of Jack and Drusilla Phillips Hatley. They had at least two children: Edward Dean and Pansy.

7 - Virgia Edith, born Apr. 10, 1917 in Caldwell Co., died Nov. 12, 1970 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. She was first married to Wilburn Clarence (Web) Townsend c1937. Their children were at least seven: Ethel Delana, born 1937, died 1964, married Forest Columbus Crisp; Wilburn Eugene, born Aug. 1939, died Mar. 2007; James Robert, born Jan., 1941, died 2000; Thomas Earl, born Sep., 1942, died 1944; Frances Mae, born Dec. 1944, married Robert Rash; Murray, born Jul., 1946; and Jerry Wilson, born Apr., 1952, married Wanda Hatley. Web had been previously married to Bessie Bennett.

8 - Roy Lois, born Oct. 27, 19217, died Jul. 15, 1970

Sources:

1 North Carolina Vital Records, Raleigh, North Carolina. and North Carolina Archives and Records Section. North Carolina County Records, 1908-1967. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina.

2 Marriage Register of Watauga County, North Carolina 1873-1954 (Boone, Watauga Co., NC: Dept. of Hist., Appalachian State Univ., Boone, NC, 1995)

3 As spelled on marriage license; copy in my possession

4 Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes; Roll Number: B_C017_66001 Volume: 13 Page: 103

5 ibid, Death Index, Book 54, Page 190

6 ibid, Birth Index, Roll B_C017_66001 Volume: 2 Page: 4

7 ibid, Birth Index, Book 8, Page 121

8 North Carolina Vital Records, Raleigh, North Carolina. and North Carolina Archives and Records Section. North Carolina County Records, 1908-1967. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina.

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

Jesse Filmore Coffey

Jesse Filmore Coffey was born Oct. 22, 1858 in North Carolina to Austin and Mary A. Blalock Coffey. He married at least three times.

His first wife was Mattie Storie, born Mar. 26, 1852, died Apr. 25, 1892. I have not found their marriage date, but it should have been sometime prior to Aug. 4, 1882 for that is the date of birth of their first child, Edna.

Edna married J. E. Hodges on Oct. 2, 1903 in Watauga Co., NC. She died Mar. 3, 1942 in Boone, Watauga Co., and is buried there at Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery. I have no additional information.

Edna's obituary:

Mrs. Edna Hodges Dies on Tuesday

Brief Illness is Fatal to Well-known School Teacher; Rites at Boone Fork Church

Mrs. Edna Coffey Hodges, aged 67, died at Watauga Hospital Tuesday after a brief illness. Cancer was given as the cause of her death.

Funeral services are to be conducted from the Boone's Fork Baptist church and burial will be in that section when the weather permits.

Mrs. Hodges was a daughter of the late Filmore and Mrs. Coffey and was raised in the vicinity of Foscoe. She had taught in the public schools of Watauga and adjacent counties for a number of years, and was well known and held in the highest regard by her many acquaintances.

Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Louise Aldridge, and the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Eva Coffey, Jessee Coffey, Mrs. H. H. Berry, Sanford Coffey, Shulls Mills; Mrs. George Williams, Johnson City, Tenn, Mrs. Blaine Aldridge, Tacoma, Wash.

Other children were:

Rose Lee, born Feb. 9, 1886, died Jan. 16, 1946. She married Arthur Blaine Aldridge on May 19, 1906 in Watauga Co. He was the son of James A. and Sarah Gragg Aldridge. Arthur is thought to have died in Wisconsin in 1947. Their children were Jerome Marvin, born Nov. 11, 1909 and Beulah J., born Sep. 3, 1912.

Jesse Lawrence, born in Watauga Co. on Feb. 29, 1888, died there on Nov. 16, 1956. He is buried in the Calloway Cemetery in Watauga Co.

Jesse's obituary:

Jesse L. Coffey, 68, passed away Friday evening at 8:30 o'clock at the home of a sister, Mrs. H. H. Berry, 112 Ervin avenue.

A native of Watauga County, he was born on February 29, 1888, a son of the late J. Philmore Coffey and Mrs. Mattie Story Coffey. His wife is the former Miss Florence Clark. He was a member of the Boone Fork Advent Christian Church in Watauga County.

Surviving are a son, Warren Coffey of Manerva, O.; four grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. Berry, Mrs. George Williams of Johnson City, Tenn., and Miss Eva Mac Coffey of Shulls Mills; and a brother, Stanford Coffey of Shulls Mills.

Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the Christian Church at Shulls Mills, with the Rev. Horace Harris officiating. Interment will be in the Callaway cemetery.

Mr. Coffey served in the United States Army from 1911 through 1921, being stationed in China, the Philippine Islands and Siberia. He was a retired employee of the Timpken Roller Bearing Company of Canton, Ohio.

The body was removed to the home of a sister, Miss Eva Mac Coffey, at Shulls Mills this afternoon from Lenoir Funeral Home.

Clarence Olen, born Aug. 28, 1889. He married Beulah Berry on Jul. 3, 1922 in Watauga Co. No other information.

Sarah Ethel, born Mar. 1, 1892. Married Harden Berry. No other information.

Jesse' second wife was Jane Harrell. They were married Nov. 26, 1892 in Watauga Co. No other information.

His third wife was Harriett Melissa Calloway, born May 9, 1862 in NC, died in that state on Oct. 22, 1949. They were married Dec. 5, 1893 in Watauga Co.

Harriet Melissa Calloway

At least four children were born to this marriage:

Mollie Bell, born Nov. 24, 1895, died Mar. 9, 1974. Mollie married George Quincy Williams on Sep. 12, 1917 in Watauga Co. He was born c1894 and died Feb. 3, 1967 in Washington Co., TN. Their children were: Frank Tipton, born Jul. 27, 1918, died Jan. 31, 1987; Jack Quincy, born Mar. 8, 1921, died Mar. 3, 2001.

Some sources list Harriet Marie, born Jul. 21, 1945 and Melissa Jane, born Mar. 20, 1956 as children of George and Mollie. That is problematic however, as there were 24 years between birth of Jack and Harriet and, 11 years between Harriet and Melissa.

[I have learned today (12-31-07) that Harriet and Melissa are grandchildren of George and Millie; children of their son Frank. I do not yet know who their mother was and, am working on that. ]

Eva Mae, born May 11, 1899, died Jan. 9, 1975. No other information.

Stanford Councill, born Oct. 24, 1901, died Dec. 29, 1988. Stanford married his second cousin, Minnie Lee Ella Coffey, a daughter of William Pinkney and Nancy Caroline Gragg Coffey. Minnie has been previously married to Herbert Spencer "Hub" Wagner. Hub had been sentenced to prison for the murder of Earl Moody and Letcher Byrd in Christmas Day, 1926. Hub had also been previously married to Ruie Ellen Coffey, a daughter of Charles Frederick* and Saphronia Phipps Coffey. It is believed that Hub relocated to West Virginia after serving his prison term. I do not know of any children born to Stanford and Minnie.

The last child born to Jesse and Harriet is thought to be Minnie Lee, born Jun. 9, 1904, died Jun. 9, 1992. No other information.

Please contact me with additions and/or corrections at the e-mail address below.



*Update Nov. 8, 2007: I have been rather rudely informed that Charles' middle name was not Frederick.

Doctor Hill Wright

Doctor was a son of Thomas A. and Margaret Ann Coffey Wright. He was born April 1, 1889 in North Carolina and died Oct. 4, 1949 in Watauga Co., NC. He married twice, first to Virgie Nona Gragg, a daughter of Leonard L. and Alva Sims Gragg. She was born Oct. 18, 1897 in North Carolina and died Nov. 13, 1945 in Watauga Co. They were married May 13, 1913 in Watauga Co.

They had at least four children:

Meda Virginia*, born May 22, 1914

William Paul, born Jun. 19, 1918

Agnes Adele, born Aug. 15, 1921, died Jan. 15, 1988. Addie married James Bynum Coffey, a son of James Hardy and Lillian Mae Gray Coffey on Jul. 5, 1939 in North Carolina. James was born Apr. 28, 1912 in Watauga Co., and died there on Apr. 26, 1986. There were at least two children born to this union: Patricia Joe Ann, born Mar. 21, 1941, died c1996, and James Robert, born Sep. 27, 1942, died Nov. 11, 1999.

Thomas Hill, born Dec. 20, 1930

Doctor's second wife was Sally Phillips, but I have no information on her except that she also married Austin Blaine Coffey on Nov. 13, 1951 in Watauga Co. Doctor and Austin were first cousins.

Hill Wright registered for the draft in Watauga Co., NC on Jun., 5 1917, and was described as being tall and slender with gray eyes and black hair. He gave his age as 28 yrs. old, born Apr. 1, 1889. He farmed and lived with his wife and one child in Shulls Mill at the time of registration. He also claimed support of his mother.

He and Virgie appear in the 1920 and 1930 census in Watauga Co. They divorced sometime after the 1930 census was enumerated and Hill Married Sally Phillips.

By 1942 Hill and Sally were living in Talbot Co., MD. Hill was employed by and gave his address as George Jopp's Restaurant on Philadelphia Road. He described himself as being 52 yrs. old and, 5' 9.5" tall with blue eyes, gray hair and ruddy complexion. He weighed 160 lbs.

He and Sally returned to Watauga Co sometime after 1942 where he died on Oct. 4, 1949 and was buried there in the Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery. Virgie apparently never remarried and died Nov. 13, 1945 in Watauga Co. Virgie is buried at White Springs Cemetery in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co.

---

 *Meda's birth record lists her name as Meda Virginia, born May 22, 1914. I have been told however that her middle name was Geneva and perhaps her birthyear was 1913.

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."

Zebulon Vance and Mary Josephine Wright Dalton

Zebulon Vance (Zeb) Dalton, born Aug., 1860 in North Carolina, is thought to be a son of Bradley and Dicey A. Dalton of Rutherford Co., NC. He married Mary Josephine Wright c1894 in North Carolina, a daughter of Thomas A. and Margaret Ann Coffey Wright. Zeb died Jan. 23, 1927 in Mobscott, Raleigh Co., WVa.

Given his age (39) at the time of marriage to Mary, Zeb was apparently married at least once before. In the 1900 census, the first in which he and Mary would appear as a family, Mary reported that she and Zeb had been married for six years and, that she was the mother of five children but only four were living.

The eldest child in the 1900 household was Corah* [sic], age 11, born 1888. Mary was still married to Tilmon Gragg at that time. Other children in the 1900 household was Clyde V., born May, 1895 and, Nola Frenise [sic], born Aug. 7, 1903. I have not yet determined the location of Mary's other three children in 1900.

Mary was born Oct. 18, 1867 in Kelsey**, Watauga Co., NC, near Coffey's Gap and died Jan. 31, 1944, also in Mobscott. She and Zeb are buried at the Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WVa.

Prior to her marriage to Zeb, Mary had married Tilmon Monroe Gragg on Mar. 3, 1888 in Caldwell Co. Tilmon was born Feb. 1858 in Caldwell Co., and died Dec. 12, 1928 in Camden Co., NC. he was a son of Edmond and Indiana Isabelle Gragg Gragg.

Their children were: William Henderson, born Jan. 14, 1884, died Oct. 28, 1946, married Mary Etta Coffey, a daughter of George Washington (Wash) and Matilda (Tilda) Coffey Coffey. The second child was Rhett, born May, 1886; the third Alverdia, born Mar., 1893.

After Zeb's death, Mary married Ed Foster. There are no known children from this union. I have not yet been able to find additional information about Ed.

Henderson, Mary's son by Tilmon Gragg, fathered at least 10 children by Mary Etta Coffey and, will be the subject of a future blog.

Please contact me with additions and/or corrections at the e-mail address below.





*I have just learned that Corah [Cora] was actually the daughter of Mary and Tilmon.

**The old home-store sat beside what is now the Collins Road and NC Hwy 221, the old Foscoe Road. Some locals referred to that area as Coffey's Gap. Mary's parents, Thomas and Margaret Coffey Wright, later sold the place to William Washington Collins, a native of Georgia.

Robert Arthur Wright Family

I've previously written about the Thomas A. and Margaret Ann Coffey Wright Family. Click on this blog title to read about them.

Thomas and Margaret had a son that seems to have mysteriously disappeared. Robert Arthur Wright, born c1875, married first on Jul. 14, 1894 to Lurenie Holloway in Watauga Co., NC. She was the daughter of Reed (Reid?) and Martha Andrews Holloway. She was born c1879 in NC and died Dec. 9, 1959 in Clermont Co., OH.

Lurenie and Robert apparently divorced after 1895 and she married William Wiley Church, a son of James Franklin and Laura Virginia Blackburn Church. William was born c1875 in NC and died Jun., 1954 in Clermont Co.

There was on child born to the union of Robert and Lurenie; a son named Robert Reeves Wright, born Jun. 18, 1895.

Robert Reeves married Nettie L. McAlister on Jun. 17, 1917 in Washington, D.C. She was born Oct. 23, 1898 in Virginia. Their children were Robert Reeves, Jr., born Jun. 6, 1918, died Jul. 25, 1984; Mack A., born c1921, died Jun. 1985; and Lotus Frances, born c1925.

Robert Reeves was drafted during WW1 and trained at Camp Lee, VA from Sep., 19, 1917 to May 20, 1918, and promoted to Private First Class on Oct. 5, 1918. He embarked for France from Hoboken, NJ aboard the ship Leviathian on May 22, 1918, arriving at Brest, France on May 30, 1918. He proceeded from there to Calais on Jun. 2, 1918.

He saw action first on Aug. 10, 1918 in the Artois section of France and was engaged in the St. Mihiel offensive at Meuse-Argonne. That engagement was the final offensive by the Americans and took place between Sep. 26 and Nov. 11, 1918, when the war officially ended. Robert was only one of more than a quarter million Americans who took part in the battle that eventually faced nearly one-half million Germans.

Robert returned to the United States aboard the USS Maui on May 27, 1919 and was discharged at Camp Lee on Jun. 5, 1919. He returned to his family and farming in Caroline Co., VA.

In 1920 and 1930 Robert was enumerated with his family in Madison, Caroline Co. He again registered for the military draft in Apr., 1942 but, was not drafted.

I would like to know when and where Robert and Nettie died and, where they are buried.

Who did Robert Reeves, Jr., and siblings Mack and Lotus marry and where did they settle?

Anyone with information about the fate of Robert Arthur, or Robert Reeves and Nettie, or their children can write to me at the e-mail address below.