Publisher’s note:
Ellen first started writing for us in 2008 and earned a following in our newspapers reenacting the exploits of her grandmother Hattie. We at ‘Old Fashioned Community Newspapers’ will deeply miss her and ‘Hattie’s View’ and we our grateful for our time with her.
Ellen Jane Coffey knew how to express herself in such a colloquial way that you couldn’t deny the warmth and humor of her stories.
I’ll end this with how Ellen often closed her columns; “Be Safe… or ’Until next time…Y’all.”
– Kirk Luther, Publisher
Mama
Ellen Jane Sturkie Coffey was born on December 2,1938. She lived in West Columbia SC her entire life and was a devoted Christian member of the Suburban Baptist Church founded by her father Reverend Maxie L. Sturkie.
Mrs. Coffey is survived by her husband of 61 years, Benjamin Coffey and her children – son Edward Sturkie and his wife Teresa, daughter Kim Mavroftas and her husband Stanley, son Spencer and his wife Tammi, and daughter Rita Sturkie Dooley (deceased). Along with her six grandchildren and seven great grand children. Ellen’s parents Reverend Maxie Sturkie (deceased) and Marguerite Sturkie (deceased), her brother Lennard Sturkie and Betty Vaughn(deceased).
Mrs. Coffey was an active member of the West Columbia and Cayce communities. She was owner of Coffey’s Appliances and Antiques and the original Cayce General Store. She was an antique collector and licensed auctioneer . She was passionate about sharing historical knowledge and donated historical remnants to the Cayce Museum. She also wrote a weekly article in the Cayce-West Columbia News , as “Hattie’s View “ where she shared stories about her life experiences and words of wisdom. She touched the lives of so many with her caring generosity and her spiritual wisdom. She will be missed.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Suburban Baptist Church or to His House.
Reposting of Mrs. Coffey’s last “Hattie’s View…
Establishing protocol and social graces
Hattie’s View
By Ellen Coffey
Growing up I remember each member of our family had their own seat at the kitchen table, a sort of pecking order.
I can still hear Mama . . . Please sit up Straight . . . Ellen Jane . . . get your-elbows off the table, Ellen Jane . . . .chew your food well . . . don’t feed the puppy under the table . . .
There are 3 laws that govern the universe, the law of gravity,
The law of lift, which supersedes the law of gravity and some would say knowing the difference between power and authority.
“As long as you live under this roof, as parents, we have the final, power and authority.”
My mother was a sweet woman whose goal was to teach us table manners.
In fact she even had a list inside her kitchen cabinet door of the proper placement of flatwear for a sit down dinner.
I remember some years ago when actor Michael J. Fox visited the queen of England he was instructed on the protocol and etiquette he could expect to observe while in the presence of the queen.
Needless to say, Michael Fox was shocked to discover all the things he should not say or do.
I also recall when First Lady Michelle and President Obama visited the Queen how the Britts cringed when the Obamas gave the queen an unwelcome bear hug.
It made the President of the USA look like a country bumpkin.
Surely there was a member of Obama’s staff familiar with protocol /social graces of the queens court.
Even Queen Esther spent months being groomed by her Uncle Mordici with instructions as to how to approach the King.
Much the same, but much more serious, is the protocol involved while in the presence of Lords, Kings, or God Almighty.
From the ancient times to modern times the procedure hasn’t changed much.
For instance, in prayer, as a believer, all specific prayers are received but getting specific answers takes protocol.
We’ve just become to understand the pomp and splendor surrounding the assumption of the Cardinal, as Pope Leo XIV, when he took position of the Pope of all Catholic citizens over the entire world.
Oh, remember the list of proper placement of flatware tacked inside Mama’s kitchen cabinet door? Well, it’s still there, after all these years.
All Mama wanted was for her children to be known as mannerly children, y’all.
