My Grandma

Mary "Hazel" COFFMAN Brown born 31st of August 1907, was one of 11 children born to Mary Magdalene BLANKENSHIP Coffman 1882-1973 and her husband, John Edward "Ed" Coffman 1876-1941.

John and Maggie Coffman were the parents of 11 children:

1 - Rose Lee Coffman 1901 – 1980
2 - Myrtle Frances Coffman 1903 – 1995
3 - Wilda "Alberta" Coffman 1905 – 2002
4 - MARY HAZEL Coffman 1907 – 1988
5 - Cecilia "Florence" Coffman 1909 – 1998
6 - Albert John Coffman 1912 – 1970
7 - Margaret Emily Coffman 1914 – 1988
8 - Jasper Freely Coffman 1915 – 1968
9 - Katherine "Kate" Jeanette Coffman 1917 – 1977
10 - Harlan Benjamin Coffman 1926 – 1975
11 - Mildred "Millie" Maxine Coffman 1928 – 2012

Mary "Hazel" COFFMAN (the correct spelling) married Roy Theodore Brown, Sr. on the 10th of December 1923 - she used Kauffman on her marriage license - in the newspaper article. She also complicated the genealogy trail by changing the spelling of her last name because she thought it was "cool" back then. Roy and Hazel were married in a TRIPLE WEDDING Ceremony with Roy's brother Frank Brown, Sr. and their sister, Audrey Brown. There was a big write up in the Indianapolis newspaper. Roy and Hazel were the only ones out of the three couples to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary on the 10th of December 1973.

Roy and Hazel Brown had 6 children: Roy "Pete" Brown, Jr., Alvin "Earl" Brown, Dorothy Christine, Ernest Leon, Marlene LaVonne, and Ronald Lee Brown.

Hazel was a home-maker and had her own little businesses throughout her life. She sold bottles of coke out of her garage to the neighbors, owned a little restaurant, and Hazel's Hobby Shop where she had her ceramic business in her home. Hazel was an excellent cook and always had a huge menu of delicious food for the holidays. Everyone really loved her homemade biscuits, macaroni and cheese, kidney bean salad, pumpkin pies, and strawberry pies.

Hazel was family oriented and very close to her family. Her husband and children cherished her. Hazel Brown was 5' 6 1/2" Hair: Brown-Gray Eyes: Hazel, Right handed, Children: 6. Grandma Hazel Brown's hobby was ceramics complete with her own kiln. In 1970 she started Hazel's Hobby Shop in her home teaching classes. She was always a busy lady - but she Never drove a car! Her daughters and daughter-in-laws took her wherever she needed to go.

Changed Spelling of Maiden Name on her marriage license. Trouble! haha Yes, she just wanted to be different. She said kids in school did it too. The real spelling is: COFFMAN However, tracing the family tree we also have Kaufman, Kauffman. Mercy, this can be confusing!

When I interviewed in 1962, Grandma Hazel COFFMAN Brown told me her Great Grandma was Cherokee but she didn't know her name. In 2011 Cousin Cookie gave me letter from GreatGma Maggie BLANKENSHIP Coffman: Maternal Great Grandmother was Cherokee Indian. STILL SEARCHING!

Roy and Hazel Brown celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on10 Dec 1973 with their large family. 50 years later, all 3 couples were still married to each other. Only Audrey's husband, Elsie Brown was deceased and Grace's husband Frank Brown was deceased.

On the 26th of December 1988, Mary "Hazel" COFFMAN Brown passed away. She had gone almost blind in her last couple years but I do not know the reason for it. OBITUARY - Note: Maiden Name spelled COFFMAN! Yes, the REAL spelling of her Maiden Name is COFFMAN. Haha she also used Kaufman. Hazel and Roy share a marker on their grave at Memorial Park Cemetery East in Indianapolis. Just walk around and you will find all Roy's Brown family. Cross the street to the left and you will be at his parents grave.

Bio and Research updated by Carole BROWN Whittemore #46909143 on 24 Feb 2016

Please remember some sources and photos may be copyrighted - FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY

== Sources ==

Cherokee Indian in our Family Tree
1962 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA
When I interviewed in 1962 Gma told me her Great Grandma was Cherokee but she didn't know her name. In 2011 Cousin Cookie gave me letter from GreatGma Maggie Blankenship Coffman: Maternal GGrandmother was Cherokee Indian. I can't find her still.

Birth
31 Aug 1907 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA
Birth Certificate: Mary 'HAZEL" COFFMAN! The correct spelling of her maiden name. She always was called HAZEL.

Personal Appearance
14 Nov 1966 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA
Height: 5' 6 1/2" Hair: Brown and Gray Eyes: Hazel Right handed Children: 6

Marriage
10 Dec 1923 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA
TRIPLE WEDDING Ceremony
2 Brothers & 1 Sister married in Triple Wedding Ceremony Couple 1: Roy Brown and Mary "Hazel" COFFMAN Couple 2: Frank Brown and Grace McCANN Couple 3: Audrey BROWN and Elza Brown.

TRIPLE WHITE LIES on Marriage Licenses - AGES
10 Dec 1923 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA
WHITE LIE Age/REAL Age: Frank 22/17 AND Grace 19/16; Audrey 19/15 AND Elza 21/19; MY Gma & Gpa - Theodore R. (ROY) 21/19 AND Hazel 19/16. Yep, all of them lied abt thier age. I asked my Grandma Hazel and she just giggled & said yea, we told a little fib.

Changed Spelling of Maiden Name for Marriage License
10 Dec 1923 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA
Trouble! Yes, she just wanted to be different. She said kids in school did it too. The real spelling is: COFFMAN though. However, tracing the family tree we also have Kaufman, Kauffman. Mercy, this can be confusing!

1930 Census Place: Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana; Roll: 610; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 79; Image: 423.0 **BROWN: Roy T 25, Hazel M 22, Roy T 4, Alvin E 2, Dorothy C 0.

1940 CensusPlace: Indianapolis Marion Indiana Roll:T627_1130Page:6A Enumera tion District:96-336 BROWN: Roy T 34 Hazel 32 Roy 14 Alvin 12 Dorothy 6 Ernest 6 Marlene 3

1952 US City Directories, 1821-1989 Name: Roy T Brown Gender: Male Residence Year: 1952 Residence Place: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA Occupation: President-Treasurer Spouse: Hazel M Brown Publication Title: Indianapolis, Indiana, City Directory, 1952

Indiana State Board of Health Delayed Registration of Birth #579683 Mary Hazel Coffman born 31 August 1907 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA DATE of Delayed Reigistration: Jul 15 1969 SUPPORTING EVIDENCE: (1) Lynhurst Chap 505 Order of the Eastern Star, IndplsIN /c/Mildred G Stephenson, Secy Date of Orig Entry: May 1945 Date of Copy of Entry Made: 3/21/1969 (2) Birth record of son, Roy T Brown Cert # 113-26-013849 Date of Orig Entry: 3/16/1926 Date of Copy of Entry Made: Original

Occupation
about 1970 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA
Owner of Hazel's Hobby Shop

Find A Grave Memorial# 37041653 Mary "Hazel" COFFMAN Brown
Memorial Park Cemetery Indianapolis Marion CountyIndiana, USA Created by: Carole Whittemore Record added: May 13, 2009

Bio and Research updated by Carole BROWN Whittemore Findagrave #46909143 on 24 Feb 2016

Please remember some sources and photos may be copyrighted - FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY

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In Honor of MOTHER'S DAY 2014 I'm adding this photo of "ALL ELEVEN" of Maggie's children . . . about 1961 - all brothers, sisters and Mother of Hazel:

BACK ROW: 1) Fabio Rosa, Florence's husband 2) Margaret 3) Mildred 4) MARY "HAZEL" 5) Albert 6) Myrtle 7) Jasper Scott, Rose's husband 8) Rose

FRONT ROW:
9) Kate 10) Alberta 11) Florence 12) "Maggie" and 13) Harlan