Sixth Generation

1050. Rice Abner Coffey⁴²¹² was born on 24 December 1833 in Bedford Co., TN. He was elected as County Commissioner between 1868 and 1874 in Jackson Co., AL.⁴²¹³ He appeared in the census on 27 June 1870 in Jackson Co., AL.⁴²¹⁴ Rice died of stomach cancer on 9 April 1896 at the age of 62 in Scottsboro, Jackson Co., AL and was buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Scottsboro, Jackson Co., AL.^4215,4216

A Good Man Gone

Obituary of Rice Abner Coffey 1833-1896

Thursday, April 9th, 1896, was a sad day in the quiet town of Scottsboro, for one of her most prominent and useful citizens passed from her midst to return no more. Yes, R.A. Coffey is no more; his genial face will be seen no more; his familiar voice will be heard no more by his friends and loved ones. Scottsboro does not sustain the shock alone, but all over this and adjoining counties the deceased was well and favorably known, and his death will be keenly felt by all who knew him.

Brother Coffey was born in Bedford County, Tennessee, on the 24th day of December, 1833, and at the time of his death was 62 years, 3 months and 16 days old. Deceased was the son of A.H. Coffey, one of four brothers who came from North Carolina at an early day and settled in Bedford County Tennessee. One of these brothers, Gen. John R. Coffey, now in his 83rd year, and a highly esteemed citizen of this county, is the only survivor.

Brother R.A. Coffey, the subject of this sketch, came to this county when quite a young man, and among this people he resided until the time of his death, which occurred at 11:15 a.m., April 9th, while surrounded by his almost idolized and heart-broken family. Although he came amongst us a poor boy his industry and sober habits won for him the confidence and esteem of our people, which he retained to the last. Providence smiled upon his labors and he succeeded in accumulating a handsome fortune.

He was the largest land-owner in our county, and as a consequence he had a large number of tenants on his different plantations. As an evidence of his generosity and fair dealing with them as a landlord, some of them who had been with him longest came a considerable distance to show their high appreciation of him by mingling their tears freely with those of the bereaved at his grave. This, together with the large congregation of citizens attending his funeral service, demonstrated the esteem in which he was held by those who knew him best.

Indeed in more than one respect he was a real benefactor, spending his money freely in building up the educational interests of our county, contributing liberally to church enterprises; buying the surplus productions of our farms, and our stock, and shipping them to other markets where better prices could be obtained. By this means thousand and thousands of dollars have been distributed among our people, and in this respect his place will be hard to supply. But better than all this, he was a practical Christian, and his moral influence was always on the side of charity, humanity and sobriety. The writer of this sketch had been intimately acquainted with Brother Coffey more than forty years, and was a frequent visitor at his pleasant home, and consequently knew much of his home life. Although much of his life was employed in looking after his secular affairs, he was so happily constituted that he would throw off his business cares like a garment and enter the family circle as cheerful as if a painful thought had never crossed his mind. He never allowed business matters to interfere with home pleasures.

Brother Coffey had been twice married. On the 29th day of October, 1857, he and Miss Mary Ann Coffey were married and lived happily together a little more than six years. But the messenger of death came and took her away from him on the 28th day of March, 1861, leaving to his care three sweet little girls, Theodosia E., Nancy Elizabeth, and Mary Ann, all of whom are yet living. The first two named are married, and well settled in Bedford County, Tennessee, and all are noble, Christian women. On the 11th day of September, 1870, he and Miss Sallie J. Helton, only daughter of Dr. P.H. Helton, were married and lived lovingly together more than 25 years. As a result of this union there were seven children, four boys and three girls, H.P., W.A., J.N., and C.H., Misses Angelina, Sallie Belle, and Arsena E., all of whom survive him. Two others, Rice A. and Emma V., died when quite young. He leaves ten loving and lovely children to mourn an absent father; a devoted, heart-broken companion lonely and sadly to meet the issues of life all alone. May the God of infinite love and mercy afford the bereaved ones the consolation they so much need just now.

Brother Coffey professed faith in Christ some time in the year 1858, and was baptized by Rev. Bailey Bruce into the fellowship of New Hope Baptist Church, (this county), in which he lived and died a beloved and faithful member. The disease of which he died was cancer of the stomach, and although he had felt its effects for some years he was confined to his room but a few days. his suffering toward the close was intense, but he bore it as patiently and as submissively as it was possible. All that medical talent, kind nursing and fervent prayers could do was exhausted, but the monster, Death, could not be baffled. He spoke of death often, and expressed willingness to go. His devotion to his family was only equaled by that of the mother, and his death has caused a vacuum that can be filled only by divine intervention.

A short while before he died he appealed to his beloved pastor and other Christian friends, to look after the spiritual interests of his younger children, as some of them were too young to embrace the Savior. His death was that of a Christian soldier. "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord."

P. Brown

Hollywood, Ala.

Source unknown

Rice Abner Coffey came to Stevenson, Al. in the mid 1850's. In 1858 Rice A. and his brother Weightstill A. bought the firm Austin, Coffey, & Co. which belonged to their uncle, John Reid Coffey. They kept the business until March 1861 at which time W. A. entered the Confederate Army. After the war, they both lived in Scottsboro, AL. R. A. Reached the rank of Colonel in the Confederacy.

Rice was president of the Jackson Co., AL Bank, and one of the wealthiest men in Jackson Co.

Rice Abner Coffey and Mary Ann Coffey were married on 29 October 1857. They lived with her father in Jackson Co., AL on 10 July 1860. Mary Ann Coffey, daughter of Benjamin B. Coffey and Mary Elizabeth Roach, was born on 22 December 1842 in Roach Cove, Alabama. Mary died in Roach Cove, Alabama on 28 March 1864.

Rice Abner Coffey and Mary Ann Coffey had the following children:

Rice Abner Coffey and Sarah Jane "Sally" Helton were married on 11 September 1870 in Jackson Co., AL.^4218,4219 They^4218,4219 appeared in the census on 1 June 1880 in Jackson Co., AL.⁴²²⁰ Sarah Jane "Sally" Helton was born on 5 July 1851 in Stevenson, Jackson Co., AL. She appeared in the census in June 1900 in Jackson Co., AL.⁴²²¹ She lived with her sons Charles and Weightstill in Cave Spring, Jackson Co., AL on 4 May 1910. Sally lived with her son Charles in Jackson Co., AL on 5 April 1930. Sarah died of influenza on 22 April 1930 at the age of 78 in Stevenson, Jackson Co., AL and was buried at Helton Cemetery, in Stevenson, Jackson Co., AL.⁴²²²

Rice Abner Coffey and Sarah Jane "Sally" Helton had the following children: