Ninth Generation

17045. James Francis Coffey was born on 11 May 1916 in Buena Vista, Independent City, VA. He lived with his parents in Hartsook Shop, Rocbridge Co., VA on 30 January 1920. James died on 8 January 2007 at the age of 90 at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital in Lexington, VA and was buried at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital in Lexington, VA on 11 January 2007.^{43503,43504,43505}

Obituary, The Roanoke Times, Roanoke, VA, Wed., Jan. 10, 2007, Metro Edition, Page B7

James Francis Coffey

Building Contractor Was Involved In Many Restoration Projects

He was born in Buena Vista, Virginia on May 11, 1916, the son of Walton Wilmoth and Lula Elizabeth McCormick Coffey.

He is survived by his two sons, David Walton and Daniel Calvin Coffey; his daughter-in-law, Macy Brittigan Coffey; two grandsons: Daniel Brittigan and Talmadge McClellan Coffey; a sister, Ruth Eloise Coffey Yeager; and a brother-in-law, James R. Yeager, Jr., all of Lexington.

He is also survived by a niece, Caroline Elizabeth Yeager Ramsey of Marietta, Georgia.

In 1997, he was preceded in death by his wife, Hilah Pendleton Reid Coffey, whom he wed in Lee Chapel on November 6, 1939.

Mr. Coffey moved to Lexington with his family in the early 1920s where his father was a general contractor and the builder and owner of the Mayflower Hotel, which is now an assisted-living center where Francis Coffey lived for the last few years of his life.

Francis Coffey graduated from Washington and Lee University in 1939 with a B.S. degree in Commerce. While at W&L, he was selected for membership in Beta Gamma Sigma, an honorary fraternity for commerce and business students.

After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he returned to Lexington and joined his father in the construction business, then renamed W. W. Coffey and Son. After the death of his father in 1968, Francis Coffey became president of the firm. He retired in 1984. In his last years as a building contractor, he was heavily involved in restoration projects in Lexington, serving as general contractor for the restoration of many of the historic buildings in downtown Lexington, including the Stonewall Jackson House.

Francis Coffey was a member of the Lexington Presbyterian Church, where he had served as an elder. In the 1950s, he was a founding member of the Rockbridge Camp of the Gideons International and was elected as an officer of the local branch on numerous occasions.

Following a private burial in Stonewall Jackson Cemetery, there will be a memorial service at the Lexington Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 11, 2007.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Gideons International, P. O. Box 942, Lexington, Va. 24450.

James Francis Coffey and Hilah Pendleton Reid were married on 6 November 1939 at Lee Chapel, Washington and Lee Univ., in Lexington, VA.⁴³⁵⁰⁶ Hilah Pendleton Reid, daughter of Rodney Clay Reid and Mary Eliza Firebaugh, was born on 13 April 1918 in Rockbridge Co., VA. Hilah died on 21 June 1997 at the age of 79 in Virginia and was buried at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital in Lexington, VA.^{43507,43508,43509}

Obituary, The Roanoke Times, Roanoke, VA, Mon., Jun. 23, 1997

COFFEY, Hilah Reid, 7 9, of Lexington, died Saturday, June 21, 1997 at Stonewall Jackson Ext. Care Facility. Born April 13, 1918 in Rockbridge Baths, she was the daughter of the late Rodney C. Reid and Mary Firebaugh Reid VanDerVeer. Mrs. Coffey was a member and Elder of Lexington Presbyterian Church and was a member of the Auxiliary of The Gideon International. She was retired Secretary & Treasurer of W.W. Coffey and Son, Inc. Surviving are her husband, James Francis Coffey, Lexington; son, David W. Coffey, Lexington; son and daughter-in-law, Daniel C. and Macy B. Coffey, Lexington; brother, James E. Reid, Healdsburg, Calif.; two grandchildren, Brittigan and Talmadge Coffey; aunt, Mrs. Forrest Talbott, Rockbridge Baths. A graveside service will be conducted 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 24, 1997 at the Stonewall Jackson Cemetery with Dr. William Klein officiating. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. at the Lexington Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to The Gideon International, Rt.2, Box 297, Lexington, Va. 24450. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday at Harrison Funeral Home.