Ninth Generation

18090. Joel Lawrence Coffey Jr. was born on 13 January 1924 in Watauga Co., NC.⁴⁴⁹⁴³ Joel enlisted in the on 22 May 1943 at Camp Croft, Spartanburg Co., SC.^44944,44945 Joel died at Watuaga Medical Center in Boone, Watauga Co., NC on 5 November 2014 and was buried at Joel was buried on 8 November 2014 at Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Deep Gap, Watauga Co., NC.^44946,44947

Obituary, The Watauga Democrat, Boone, NC, Fri., Nov. 7, 2014

Joel L. Coffey, 90, of Deep Gap, passed away Wednesday evening, Nov. 5, 2014, at Watauga Medical Center.

Joel was born January 13, 1924, in Watauga County, a son of the late Joe L. Coffey and Myrtle Watson Coffey. He was a retired rural mail carrier and a lifetime member, past superintendent, and deacon of Laurel Springs Baptist Church. Joel served in the U.S. Army during World War II, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, and received two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars. He was also a charter member of the Deep Gap Volunteer Fire Department, where he retired as chaplain.

Joel is survived by his wife, Geraldine "Gerry" Coffey of the home; one son, Michael Thomas Coffey, Sr. and wife, Mary Alice, of Deep Gap; one daughter, Brenda Coffey Farthing and husband, Len B., of Vilas; one step-daughter, Jane Ragan Pignolet and husband, Mark, of Braselton, Ga.; one granddaughter, Amanda Farthing Huff and husband, Todd, of Deep Gap; two grandsons, Michael T. Coffey, Jr. of Sanford, and Joel Farthing and wife, Nicole, of Vilas; five great-grandchildren, Jackson, Walker, Ella, Colt and Hattie Mae; one step-granddaughter, Amy Ragan Grady and husband, Gary, of Kettering, Ohio, as well as their children, Ragan and Riley. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Gaye Warren Coffey; and three sisters, Louis Cary, Margaret Lane, and Sue Craig.

Funeral services for Mr. Joel L. Coffey will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at Laurel Springs Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1 until 2 p.m. Officiating will be Pastor Tim Lynch. Military graveside rites and burial, provided by American Legion Post 130 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, will follow in Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday, from 6 until 9 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Stewart Rhymer, 6596 Old US Hwy 421, Deep Gap, NC, 28618; Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, PO Box 2914, Boone, NC 28607; American Heart Association, 128 South Tryon Street, Suite 1588, Charlotte, NC, 28202; or to a charity of the donors choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the Coffey family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

Joel Lawrence Coffey Jr. and Laura Gaye Warren were married on 18 July 1949 in Watauga Co., NC.⁴⁴⁹⁴⁸ Laura Gaye Warren was born on 21 January 1932 in North Carolina.⁷¹⁷¹ Laura died on 10 December 1966 at the age of 34 in Watauga Co., NC and was buried at Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Deep Gap, Watauga Co., NC.⁴⁴⁹⁴⁹