Seventh Generation

4979. John William Coffey was born on 18 June 1869 in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co., NC.¹⁵⁰⁹ He signed a will on 14 December 1944 in Raleigh, Wake Co., NC.¹⁵⁰⁹

Last Will and Testament

I, John W. Coffey, of the City of Raleigh, County of Wake and State of North Carolina, being of full age and sound mind and memory, do make, publish and declare this to be my LAST WILL and TESTAMENT, hereby revoking and annulling any and all Will or Wills by me heretofore made.

Item I: I direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of my estate as soon as practicable after my decease.

Item II: I give, devise and bequeath the rest and remainder of my property, both personal and real, of every kind and description, both personal and real, to Frances L. Coffey, Wife.

Item III: I nominate and appoint John N. Coffey Executor of this my Last Will and Testament and I request that no bond be required of him.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand to this my Last Will and Testament at Raleigh, North Carolina, this 14th day of December, in the year of our Lord, 1944.

John W. Coffey

The foregoing instrument was signed by the said John W. Coffey, in our presence and by him published and declared as and for his Last Will and Testament, and at his request and in his presence, and in the presence of each other, we hereunto subscribe our names as attesting witnesses at Raleigh, North Carolina, this 14th day of December A.D. 1944.

/s/ Garland O. Green Resides at Raleigh, N.C.
/s/ Sidney C. Holden Resides at Raleigh, N.C. John died of a myocardial infarction on 11 June 1960 at the age of 90 at Mayview Convalescent Home in Raleigh, Wake Co., NC and was buried at Montlawn Memorial Park in Raleigh, Wake Co., NC on 13 June 1960.^1509,15980

John William Coffey and Frances Elizabeth "Fannie" Little were married on 14 December 1898 in Raleigh, Wake Co., NC.¹⁵⁰⁹

Lenoir (NC) Topic, December __, 1898

Coffey-Little

For several months we have been mailing a copy of the TOPIC to Miss Frances E. Little, Raleigh, N.C. We thought it a little suspicious.

Last Thursday's News and Observer fully explained the matter by the following announcement:

"At the home of the bride's grand father, Mr. Utzman, on Salisbury street, yesterday afternoon at 3 oclock, Mr. John W. Coffee [sic] and Miss Francis [sic] E. Little were united in marriage, Rev. Dr. W. C. Norman and Rev. J. L. Foster officiating.

Miss Little is one of Raleigh's most charming and popular young women. Mr. Coffee is a prosperous young contractor and has many friends here.

Mr. Coffee and his bride left on the 3'oclock train for a trip north[.]"

Mr. and Mrs. Coffey arrived in Lenoir on Thursday evening's train and pr[o]ceeded at once to the home of Mr. Coffey's mother, Mrs. Elijah Coffey, near Patterson, where they were given a hearty reception by the family.

Mr. Coffey is one of the most progressive young men who has gone out from Caldwell and his many friends congratulate him upon winning a worthy bride.

Witnesses for the marriage license were J.L. Foster, Mary L. Little, and Addie Little. [Coffey Family Archive]

According to wedding book, the witnesses to the marriage were J.L. Foster, Mrs. Mary E. White and W.C. Norman. [Coffey Family Archive] They¹⁵⁰⁹ appeared in the census on 1 June 1900 in Raleigh, Wake Co., NC.¹⁵⁹⁸¹ They¹⁵⁹⁸¹ appeared in the census on 19 April 1910 in Wake Co., NC.¹⁵⁹⁸² John and Fannie¹⁵⁹⁸² appeared in the census on 9 January 1920 in Wake Co., NC.¹⁵⁹⁸³ They¹⁵⁹⁸³ appeared in the census on 3 April 1930 in Wake Co., NC.¹⁵⁹⁸⁴ Frances Elizabeth "Fannie" Little, daughter of Cebron M. Little and Louisa Utzman, was born on 7 March 1878 in Concord, Cabarrus Co., NC.¹⁵⁰⁹ Fannie died of breast cancer on 30 November 1967 at the age of 89 at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, Wake Co., NC and was buried at Montlawn Memorial Park in Raleigh, Wake Co., NC in December 1967.^{1509,15985,15986}

John William Coffey and Frances Elizabeth "Fannie" Little had the following children:

10775	i.	Natalie Little Coffey was born on 25 September 1899 in Raleigh, Wake Co., NC. She appeared on the New York passenger list of the SS Berengaria from Southhampton on 21 August 1925 According to the passenger list, she was 25 years old, born Sep. 25, 1899 in Raleigh, NC and was home at Boylan Heights in Raleigh. Natalie died on 22 September 1996 at the age of 96 at Mayview Convalescent Home in Raleigh, Wake Co., NC and was buried at Montlawn Memorial Park in Raleigh, Wake Co., NC on 25 September 1996.1509,15987 Obituary, The News & Observer, Raleigh, NC, 24 September 1996 RALEIGH--Natalie Little Coffey, died Sunday at age 96 at Mayview Convalescent Center. She was born in Raleigh on September 25, 1899, the eldest child of John William Coffey and Frances Elizabeth Little. She attended public schools in this city, graduating from Raleigh High School in 1916. She afterwards attended the North Carolina College for Women at Greensboro, graduating with an A.B. degree in 1920, and a M.A. in 1929. Her affection for her alma mater was constant throughout her life, and for many years, she served as president of her class. Education was her calling. Miss Coffey was one of Raleigh's legendary teachers, honored and beloved by generations of students who cherished her as a counselor and friend. She began her career in Rocky Mount where she taught for two years. Returning to Raleigh, she served as an instructor in English and Spanish at Raleigh High School for two years, Hugh Morson High School for 30 years, and Broughton High School for 10 years. She retired in 1965 after 44 years of service. Her love and concern for her students extended far beyond the classroom. Driving a little blue-and-black coupe, affectionately nicknamed the "Coffey Can," she would cheerfully ferry as many as seventeen kids to football games, plays, and concerts. During the World War II she even coached the Hugh Morson golf team to a state championship. For much of her life she lived in Boylan Heights with her parents. In retirement she devoted herself to her family, especially to the children for whom she was their adored "Nannie." She was a lifelong and devoted member of Edenton Street Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, John N. Coffey, and her sister, Mary Lou C. Miller. She is survived by a sister, Frances C. Green of Charlotte; two nephews, John N. Coffey Jr. of Raleigh, and Thomas G. Coffey of Naples, Florida; two nieces, Mrs. Herbert B. Magill of Charlotte, and Linda M. Young of Cary; and 11 grandnieces and grandnephews. A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 25, in Montlawn Memorial Park.
+10776	ii.	John Nelson Coffey Sr..
+10777	iii.	Frances Elizabeth Coffey.
+10778	iv.	Mary Louise Coffey.