Bird Coffey
▪︎ Born: July 8, 1917
▪︎ Died: Sept 26, 2003
▪︎ Father: John H. Laughner 1892-1977
▪︎ Mother: Mollie Laughner 1892-1976
Bird Coffey, born on July 8, 1917, in Ohio, was the beloved daughter of John Harrison and Mollie (Dalton) Laughner. On September 26, 2003, at the age of 86, Birdie peacefully passed away, leaving behind a legacy of love, resilience, and cherished memories.
Birdie spent her childhood in Grainger County, Tennessee, on War Ridge, alongside her sister Joann and brother Kyle. Together, they walked to the Dry Valley Missionary Baptist Church, where they attended school in a single classroom with children of various ages. Birdie was proud of her ancestral heritage, being the 3x great-grandchild of George Coffey and Margaret Rucker.
Growing up, Birdie had a close relationship with her neighbor Emmet, who happened to be a distant cousin. Emmet would often visit Birdie's home, repairing her victrola. It was during this time that Reverend Joe, Birdie's father, took a liking to Emmet, and their bond grew stronger. Eventually, Birdie Ruth and Emmet moved to Rosehill, Virginia, where they were blessed with two sons, Robert and Thomas E. Coffey.
Later, the family settled in Sullivan Gardens, Kingsport, Tennessee, and Birdie and Emmet welcomed two more children into their lives. Their daughter, Elizabeth Faye, was born in September, and their son, Stanley Joe, arrived during the week of counting towards Shavuot. Birdie's strong faith in Cedar Springs Missionary Baptist Church led her to name Stanley Joe after her father's ministry.
Birdie Ruth and Emmet embarked on a business venture together, partnering with Emmet's brothers, Paris and General, as merchants. Birdie's innovative spirit shone through as she worked as a clerk, excelling in sales and serving as a cashier at Coffey Department Store in both Tazewell and New Tazewell, Tennessee.
In their later years, Birdie and Emmet saved diligently and purchased 80 acres on Powell Mountain in the Springdale Community. They built a beautiful stone house from the ground up, with Birdie and their daughter Faye assisting in interior decorating and design. Their home became a haven of warmth and love.
Birdie drew strength from her Amish family's faith and understanding, though she didn't strongly encourage academic pursuits for her daughters. Despite this, her daughter Faye attended Draughon's Jr College. Birdie and Emmet supported their sons' educational aspirations, sending Robert to pharmacy school and Thomas to become a mortician. The three oldest sons bravely served in the military after the Korean War, while their youngest son, Danny Delion, followed his passion for the fine arts.
Retirement allowed Birdie and Emmet to enjoy a peaceful life on their farm, raising honey bees amidst a patch of Roses of Sharon. Birdie cultivated fresh strawberries and green vegetables during the summer, and they grew their own corn to feed their lambs and grass-fed beef. Birdie's talents extended to sewing, quilting, crocheting doilies and tablecloths, and creating beautiful needlepoint and embroidery designs on linens.
Family picnics and summer vacations in the Smokie Mountains and visits to Florida were cherished moments for Birdie. However, as time passed, Birdie faced health challenges, including melanoma and ovarian cancer. She bravely battled cancer, experiencing remission for over 40 years. Eventually, Birdie chose to discontinue medication and was admitted to Covenant Nursing Home. On September 26, 2003, she peacefully passed away, leaving behind a lasting impact on her family and friends.
__________
Contributor, daughter, Janice M. Coffey (49132696)
▪︎ Born: July 8, 1917
▪︎ Died: Sept 26, 2003
▪︎ Father: John H. Laughner 1892-1977
▪︎ Mother: Mollie Laughner 1892-1976
Bird Coffey, born on July 8, 1917, in Ohio, was the beloved daughter of John Harrison and Mollie (Dalton) Laughner. On September 26, 2003, at the age of 86, Birdie peacefully passed away, leaving behind a legacy of love, resilience, and cherished memories.
Birdie spent her childhood in Grainger County, Tennessee, on War Ridge, alongside her sister Joann and brother Kyle. Together, they walked to the Dry Valley Missionary Baptist Church, where they attended school in a single classroom with children of various ages. Birdie was proud of her ancestral heritage, being the 3x great-grandchild of George Coffey and Margaret Rucker.
Growing up, Birdie had a close relationship with her neighbor Emmet, who happened to be a distant cousin. Emmet would often visit Birdie's home, repairing her victrola. It was during this time that Reverend Joe, Birdie's father, took a liking to Emmet, and their bond grew stronger. Eventually, Birdie Ruth and Emmet moved to Rosehill, Virginia, where they were blessed with two sons, Robert and Thomas E. Coffey.
Later, the family settled in Sullivan Gardens, Kingsport, Tennessee, and Birdie and Emmet welcomed two more children into their lives. Their daughter, Elizabeth Faye, was born in September, and their son, Stanley Joe, arrived during the week of counting towards Shavuot. Birdie's strong faith in Cedar Springs Missionary Baptist Church led her to name Stanley Joe after her father's ministry.
Birdie Ruth and Emmet embarked on a business venture together, partnering with Emmet's brothers, Paris and General, as merchants. Birdie's innovative spirit shone through as she worked as a clerk, excelling in sales and serving as a cashier at Coffey Department Store in both Tazewell and New Tazewell, Tennessee.
In their later years, Birdie and Emmet saved diligently and purchased 80 acres on Powell Mountain in the Springdale Community. They built a beautiful stone house from the ground up, with Birdie and their daughter Faye assisting in interior decorating and design. Their home became a haven of warmth and love.
Birdie drew strength from her Amish family's faith and understanding, though she didn't strongly encourage academic pursuits for her daughters. Despite this, her daughter Faye attended Draughon's Jr College. Birdie and Emmet supported their sons' educational aspirations, sending Robert to pharmacy school and Thomas to become a mortician. The three oldest sons bravely served in the military after the Korean War, while their youngest son, Danny Delion, followed his passion for the fine arts.
Retirement allowed Birdie and Emmet to enjoy a peaceful life on their farm, raising honey bees amidst a patch of Roses of Sharon. Birdie cultivated fresh strawberries and green vegetables during the summer, and they grew their own corn to feed their lambs and grass-fed beef. Birdie's talents extended to sewing, quilting, crocheting doilies and tablecloths, and creating beautiful needlepoint and embroidery designs on linens.
Family picnics and summer vacations in the Smokie Mountains and visits to Florida were cherished moments for Birdie. However, as time passed, Birdie faced health challenges, including melanoma and ovarian cancer. She bravely battled cancer, experiencing remission for over 40 years. Eventually, Birdie chose to discontinue medication and was admitted to Covenant Nursing Home. On September 26, 2003, she peacefully passed away, leaving behind a lasting impact on her family and friends.
__________
Contributor, daughter, Janice M. Coffey (49132696)
Bird Coffey
▪︎ Born: July 8, 1917
▪︎ Died: Sept 26, 2003
▪︎ Father: John H. Laughner 1892-1977
▪︎ Mother: Mollie Laughner 1892-1976
Bird Coffey, born on July 8, 1917, in Ohio, was the beloved daughter of John Harrison and Mollie (Dalton) Laughner. On September 26, 2003, at the age of 86, Birdie peacefully passed away, leaving behind a legacy of love, resilience, and cherished memories.
Birdie spent her childhood in Grainger County, Tennessee, on War Ridge, alongside her sister Joann and brother Kyle. Together, they walked to the Dry Valley Missionary Baptist Church, where they attended school in a single classroom with children of various ages. Birdie was proud of her ancestral heritage, being the 3x great-grandchild of George Coffey and Margaret Rucker.
Growing up, Birdie had a close relationship with her neighbor Emmet, who happened to be a distant cousin. Emmet would often visit Birdie's home, repairing her victrola. It was during this time that Reverend Joe, Birdie's father, took a liking to Emmet, and their bond grew stronger. Eventually, Birdie Ruth and Emmet moved to Rosehill, Virginia, where they were blessed with two sons, Robert and Thomas E. Coffey.
Later, the family settled in Sullivan Gardens, Kingsport, Tennessee, and Birdie and Emmet welcomed two more children into their lives. Their daughter, Elizabeth Faye, was born in September, and their son, Stanley Joe, arrived during the week of counting towards Shavuot. Birdie's strong faith in Cedar Springs Missionary Baptist Church led her to name Stanley Joe after her father's ministry.
Birdie Ruth and Emmet embarked on a business venture together, partnering with Emmet's brothers, Paris and General, as merchants. Birdie's innovative spirit shone through as she worked as a clerk, excelling in sales and serving as a cashier at Coffey Department Store in both Tazewell and New Tazewell, Tennessee.
In their later years, Birdie and Emmet saved diligently and purchased 80 acres on Powell Mountain in the Springdale Community. They built a beautiful stone house from the ground up, with Birdie and their daughter Faye assisting in interior decorating and design. Their home became a haven of warmth and love.
Birdie drew strength from her Amish family's faith and understanding, though she didn't strongly encourage academic pursuits for her daughters. Despite this, her daughter Faye attended Draughon's Jr College. Birdie and Emmet supported their sons' educational aspirations, sending Robert to pharmacy school and Thomas to become a mortician. The three oldest sons bravely served in the military after the Korean War, while their youngest son, Danny Delion, followed his passion for the fine arts.
Retirement allowed Birdie and Emmet to enjoy a peaceful life on their farm, raising honey bees amidst a patch of Roses of Sharon. Birdie cultivated fresh strawberries and green vegetables during the summer, and they grew their own corn to feed their lambs and grass-fed beef. Birdie's talents extended to sewing, quilting, crocheting doilies and tablecloths, and creating beautiful needlepoint and embroidery designs on linens.
Family picnics and summer vacations in the Smokie Mountains and visits to Florida were cherished moments for Birdie. However, as time passed, Birdie faced health challenges, including melanoma and ovarian cancer. She bravely battled cancer, experiencing remission for over 40 years. Eventually, Birdie chose to discontinue medication and was admitted to Covenant Nursing Home. On September 26, 2003, she peacefully passed away, leaving behind a lasting impact on her family and friends.
__________
Contributor, daughter, Janice M. Coffey (49132696)
▪︎ Born: July 8, 1917
▪︎ Died: Sept 26, 2003
▪︎ Father: John H. Laughner 1892-1977
▪︎ Mother: Mollie Laughner 1892-1976
Bird Coffey, born on July 8, 1917, in Ohio, was the beloved daughter of John Harrison and Mollie (Dalton) Laughner. On September 26, 2003, at the age of 86, Birdie peacefully passed away, leaving behind a legacy of love, resilience, and cherished memories.
Birdie spent her childhood in Grainger County, Tennessee, on War Ridge, alongside her sister Joann and brother Kyle. Together, they walked to the Dry Valley Missionary Baptist Church, where they attended school in a single classroom with children of various ages. Birdie was proud of her ancestral heritage, being the 3x great-grandchild of George Coffey and Margaret Rucker.
Growing up, Birdie had a close relationship with her neighbor Emmet, who happened to be a distant cousin. Emmet would often visit Birdie's home, repairing her victrola. It was during this time that Reverend Joe, Birdie's father, took a liking to Emmet, and their bond grew stronger. Eventually, Birdie Ruth and Emmet moved to Rosehill, Virginia, where they were blessed with two sons, Robert and Thomas E. Coffey.
Later, the family settled in Sullivan Gardens, Kingsport, Tennessee, and Birdie and Emmet welcomed two more children into their lives. Their daughter, Elizabeth Faye, was born in September, and their son, Stanley Joe, arrived during the week of counting towards Shavuot. Birdie's strong faith in Cedar Springs Missionary Baptist Church led her to name Stanley Joe after her father's ministry.
Birdie Ruth and Emmet embarked on a business venture together, partnering with Emmet's brothers, Paris and General, as merchants. Birdie's innovative spirit shone through as she worked as a clerk, excelling in sales and serving as a cashier at Coffey Department Store in both Tazewell and New Tazewell, Tennessee.
In their later years, Birdie and Emmet saved diligently and purchased 80 acres on Powell Mountain in the Springdale Community. They built a beautiful stone house from the ground up, with Birdie and their daughter Faye assisting in interior decorating and design. Their home became a haven of warmth and love.
Birdie drew strength from her Amish family's faith and understanding, though she didn't strongly encourage academic pursuits for her daughters. Despite this, her daughter Faye attended Draughon's Jr College. Birdie and Emmet supported their sons' educational aspirations, sending Robert to pharmacy school and Thomas to become a mortician. The three oldest sons bravely served in the military after the Korean War, while their youngest son, Danny Delion, followed his passion for the fine arts.
Retirement allowed Birdie and Emmet to enjoy a peaceful life on their farm, raising honey bees amidst a patch of Roses of Sharon. Birdie cultivated fresh strawberries and green vegetables during the summer, and they grew their own corn to feed their lambs and grass-fed beef. Birdie's talents extended to sewing, quilting, crocheting doilies and tablecloths, and creating beautiful needlepoint and embroidery designs on linens.
Family picnics and summer vacations in the Smokie Mountains and visits to Florida were cherished moments for Birdie. However, as time passed, Birdie faced health challenges, including melanoma and ovarian cancer. She bravely battled cancer, experiencing remission for over 40 years. Eventually, Birdie chose to discontinue medication and was admitted to Covenant Nursing Home. On September 26, 2003, she peacefully passed away, leaving behind a lasting impact on her family and friends.
__________
Contributor, daughter, Janice M. Coffey (49132696)
