Coffey, Howard Smith    

Howard Smith Coffey passed away peacefully at his home in Gladewater on January 31, 
2006. Howard was born March 8, 1928, in Sandy Level, Virginia, to Harry B. and Ella 
L. Coffey. He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers and sisters; by his 
first wife, Syrena Gray Coffey; and one daughter, Delaine Coffey. He is survived by 
his wife, Bettie Joe Coffey; two daughters and sons-in-law, Darrel Lynn and Rodney 
Blackwell, and Debra Ann and Robby Robertson; two step-daughters and son-in-law, 
Judy C. and Ivan Nicks, and Jacqui Oliene; three grandchildren, Kevin and Kimberly 
Blackwell, Michael Robertson; and several great-grandchildren. Howard served with 
honor on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps from October 8, 1948 to June 30, 1950, 
in both World War II and the Korean Conflict. He spent 28 years as owner/manager of 
retail variety stores. Upon retiring, he was employed by the Gladewater Mirror, 
Gibsons, and the Gilmer Mirror, as advertising manager. A memorial service will be 
held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 4, 2006, at Clarksville Baptist Church. The family 
requests memorials be sent to Heart'sWay Hospice in Longview, or to Clarksville Baptist 
Church Building Fund.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 2/2/2006.