Mary G. (Fitts) Coffey

Life’s Reflections

Mary Gretchen Fitts was born July 14, 1919 to Mr. Whit (farmer) and Mrs. Izma (schoolteacher) Simington Fitts in Robinson, KS, the first of five children.  Mary was educated in Hiawatha and Atchison, Kansas schools and moved to Kansas City, Kansas after marrying Ross Madison Craig in December 1936.  To this union, ten children were born, including six sons and four daughters. 

Upon her relocation, Mary joined First African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, where she maintained her membership for over 70 years.  Mary was a very active member of various church organizations, including the Gospel Choir, Women’s Missionary Society, Food Kitchen Ministry, and monthly food and clothing giveaway (under the ministry of Rev. Loy C. Drew).  She was well studied in the scripture and served as the Adult Sunday School Teacher for many years.  She became a deaconess under the pasturage of Rev. Charles P. Lucas.  One of her greatest joys was serving as a member of the Deaconess Board, where she and her best friend Deaconess Eddie Mae Davis were “road warriors”, making weekly visits to area nursing homes and to the homes of the sick-and-shut-in to provide communion and prayer.   

Mary also supported her husband who was called to the ministry mid-life and served as an AME minister, under then the leadership of presiding elder Rev. William F. Dancy until his death in September 1972.

Mary loved her family and was a wonderful caregiver.  She provided comfort and was at the sickbed of many loved-ones, including six of her children who passed before her. Mary was an avid reader of health and Christian literature.  She was a wonderful gardener, great cook/baker, and a meticulous housekeeper.  In addition to raising her family, she worked as a homemaker for nearly forty years, faithfully serving several families, including the Forristals and Reilings. She was also employed by the Kansas Housing Authority and managed Wyandotte Towers.

Upon retirement, in December 1983, she married Rev. Vernon C. Coffey, also an AME ministry. She cherished her time with him and cared for him until his death in March 1991.

Mary passed from this world June 16, 2016 while residing at Medicalodge Post-Acute Nursing Home, Kansas City, Kansas.

She is preceded in death by her parents, both spouses, three siblings (Oletha, Emerson, and Esther), and seven children, including Ross Jr., Donald Sr., Rosemary (Turner), Freddy, Charles, Constance Joanne (Robinson), and Walter.  She leaves to mourn her, a sister, Peggy Hysten, and three children, Charlotte, Isabell, and David, as well as a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends.  Mary will be laid to rest at Maple Hills Cemetery.

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