Sixth Generation

2011. Thomas Avery Coffey was born on 3 June 1856 in Caldwell Co., NC. He lived with his parents in Johns River Twp., Caldwell Co., NC on 21 July 1860. He lived in the residence of David Nathaniel Coffey in Boone, Watauga Co., NC on 16 March 1893.²⁰⁷⁹ Thomas died on 21 December 1917 at the age of 61 in Linville, Linville Twp., Avery Co., NC and was buried at Montezuma Community Cemetery in Avery Co., NC.^{7739,7740,7741}

"Thomas Coffey was born here in Caldwell County June 3, 1856. He grew up an orphan boy, having lost his father during the civil war. He married Louisa E. Gragg, and to this union were born ten children, of whom six are living. He reared his family in Caldwell county, and lived in this county until twelve years ago, when he moved to Blowing Rock, and many who read this will recall the sad incident of his daughter Kelsie being killed by lightning while asleep on Aug. 12, 1906. Two years later he bought property in Linville, N. C., and moved there. It seems that luck was against him there, as he lost two good homes by fire in two years, but he never lost hope. He built the third one and just had it completed and furnished and was living at home again when he died. Mr. Coffey did not have a spell of sickness, as would be supplied. He only complained of feeling weak and lifeless for some days. Death came Dec. 21, 1917, after thirty-six hours of sound, quiet sleep, from which he never awoke. He crossed his hands and closed his own eyes thirty-six hours before he died. There was not even a frown or struggle when the end came. Mr. Coffey was a member of the Methodist Church and lived a good, quiet life. He leaves a host of friends, for he was a kind-hearted man and believed in helping those who needed help. Especially was he ever ready to help the widows and orphans, and he will be greatly missed by his many friends as well as his family.

"The funeral was conducted by Rev. S. E. Gragg of Shull's Mills at the home of the deceased on the 22nd before a number of friends and relatives. The body was taken to Montezuma cemetery and given over to the Junior Order, of which Mr. Coffey was a member. They laid his sleeping form down in the grave to await the coming of the Lord.

"Mr. Coffey leaves an aged and invalid widow and six children - J. W. and J. H Coffey of Linville, Mrs. Emory Young of Foscoe, Mrs. A H Dula and Mrs. W. W. Collins of Kelsey and Mrs. C. F. Blalock of Emberville, Texas. He also leaves two brothers and one sister, David N. Coffey of Kelsey, J. Filmore Coffey of Shulls Mills and Mrs. M.A. Wright of Kelsey, all of whom mourn deeply for the one they loved so well, for a more devoted husband and loving father never lived than Mr. Coffey."

Thomas Avery Coffey and Louisa E. Gragg were married on 20 September 1873 in Yadkin Valley, Caldwell Co., NC.⁷⁷⁴² They⁷⁷⁴² appeared in the census on 16 June 1880 in Globe Twp., Caldwell Co., NC.⁷⁷⁴³ They⁷⁷⁴³ appeared in the census on 9 June 1900 in Globe Twp., Caldwell Co., NC.⁷⁷⁴⁴ Thomas and Louisa⁷⁷⁴⁴ appeared in the census on 26 April 1910 in Linville Twp., Mitchell Co., NC.⁷⁷⁴⁵ Louisa E. Gragg, daughter of Johnson P. Gragg and Nancy Jane Cuthbertson, was born in 1848 in Yadkin Valley, Caldwell Co., NC. She lived with her parents in Yadkin Valley, Caldwell Co., NC on 27 July 1850. She lived with her parents in Johns River Twp., Caldwell Co., NC on 1 August 1870. Louisa lived with her son-in-law Arthur H. Dula in Watauga Co., NC on 6 February 1920. Louisa died of paralisis on 31 January 1922 at the age of 74 in Watauga Twp., Watauga Co., NC and was buried at White Springs Cemetery in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., NC on 1 February 1922.^{7746,7747,7748}

Thomas Avery Coffey and Louisa E. Gragg had the following children: