Eighth Generation

12204. Arlie Clinton Coffey was born on 24 June 1918 in Chapel Hill, Orange Co., NC.³⁵⁵¹⁴ Arlie resided with his parents in Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC on 22 April 1940. He registered for the WWII draft on 16 October 1940 in Cary Flat, Avery Co., NC.³⁵⁵¹⁵ Arlie Clinton Coffey was arrested for draft dodging on 20 January 1943 at his mother's home in Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC.³⁵⁵¹⁶

News Item, The Macon Telegraph, Macon, GA, Wed., Jan. 20, 1943, Page 2

Dress Said Women [sic], But Beard Said Man, He's Now Behind Bars

Lenoir, N. C. [AP] - A beard - the kind you have to shave every day - betrayed a 23-year-old Caldwell county man who disguised himself in women's clothing to evade the draft, Deputy Sheriff Claude Goble reported Tuesday.

The deputy said the man, Arley Clinton Coffey, was disguised in women's clothing when he was arrested at his mother's home near here - but his face showed at least a day's growth of beard.

The officer said Coffey had an elaborate hideout built under his mother's home. He was jailed on a charge of failing to report when ordered by his draft board. Arlie died of cardiorespiratory arrest on 26 September 1974 at the age of 56 at North Carolina Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill, Orange Co., NC and was buried at White Springs Cemetery in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., NC on 29 September 1974..^35517,35518

Arlie Clinton Coffey and Ollie Belle Bennett were married. Ollie Belle Bennett, daughter of Jesse Bennett and Ella Loudermelt, was born on 26 April 1927 in Big Stone Gap, Wise Co., VA. Ollie died at Watuaga Medical Center in Boone, Watauga Co., NC on 24 July 2013 and was buried at White Springs Cemetery in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., NC on 27 July 2013 .³⁵⁵¹⁹

Obituary, Mrs. Ollie Belle Coffey, Austin & Barnes Funeral Home, July 24, 2013

Ollie Belle Bennett Coffey, age 86, of Winkler’s Creek Road, Boone, passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2013, at Watauga Medical Center. Born April 26, 1927 in Big Stone Gap, Va., she was a daughter of Jessie and Ella Loudermelt Bennett. Mrs. Coffey was a member of Faith Baptist Church. She was a homemaker and farmer. Mrs. Coffey enjoyed tending her vegetable and flower gardens, but her love was her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Mrs. Coffey is survived by five sons, Clifford Coffey and wife, Carolyn, Buster and Clinton Coffey, James Coffey and wife, Sylvia, and Kenneth Coffey, all of Boone; two daughters, Hazel Payne and husband Steve of Boone, and Mary ‘Sue’ Coffey of Lenoir; thirty-four grandchildren, fifty-one great grandchildren, twenty-seven great-great grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arlie Clinton Coffey; daughter, Dora Coffey; son, Jessie Coffey; three grandsons, Wayne, Bobby and Charles Coffey; great-granddaughter, Tanya Ward; sister, Grace Coffey; daughter-in-law, Mary Coffey; and her parents.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday morning, July 27, 2012, at 11 o’clock at Faith Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Dr. Sonny Younce and Rev. Randy Coffey. Burial will follow in the White Springs Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7 until 8:30 at Austin & Barnes.

At other times, friends may call at the home of a son, Buster Coffey, 6102 Howard’s Creek Rd., Boone.

Memorials may be made to a family member or to Austin & Barnes Funeral to assist with final expenses for Mrs. Coffey.

Online condolences may be shared with the Coffey family at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Coffey family.

Arlie Clinton Coffey and Ollie Belle Bennett had the following children: