Mattie Mae (Johnson) Caffey (1906 - 2000)

Ancestors

Died 15 Dec 2000 at age 94 in Conway, Laclede County, Missouri

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Biography

Mattie Mae Johnson was born to William Barton Johnson and Nora Elizabeth Montgomery Johnson on May 9, 1906.

Mattie M. Johnson married Harold W. Caffey on October 3, 1925. Harold was born on January 18, 1905 to Joseph William Caffey and Alpha Bell Letterman Caffey.

in the 1940 United States Federal Census, Harold W. Caffey was 35 years of age living in Union Township in Laclede County, Missouri. He owned his own and was a farmer. Also in he household was his wife, Mattie M. Caffey, 33; children, Billy Joe Caffey, 13; and Bonnie L. Caffey, 7; and Mattie's father, William B. Johnson, 63.

Harold and Mattie Caffey were the owners and operators of the Caffey Store, located on the Conway-Morgan road. It was a good trading place for many years. The couple well along in middle years of life found great pleasure in serving their friends and neighbors.

Mattie M. Johnson Caffey's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Johnson, owned the land on both sides of the road west of the Bilderback Cemetery. When they built a new house, they changed the location to the south side of the road. With the ever increasing automobile traffic, "Paw" Bill thought a gas station would be a good paying business.

The pump was installed and serviced by the Texico bulk agent Lee O. Roper. The trade increased and call for small items made a store seem promising. In 1932, Mr. Johnson built a small room and stocked it with the necessary supplies.

After the death of Mrs. Johnson in 1939, daughter, Mattie and son-in-law, Harold Caffey, moved in with her father and took over the store and filling station.

After a few years the old building was replaced by a 20 by 40 foot building and soon their shelves were stocked with modern day supplies and merchandise.

The large bungalow type home burned on the last Sunday morning in August of 1946. A tragic thing to watch one's possessions destroyed in minutes, but it didn't keep the Caffey's down. They cleared out a place in the rear and moved in the rear of the store making a bedroom for "Paw" Bill Johnson in the lean-to-feed room at the side of the building.

They carried on as usual until more room could be built at the back of the store. It was a convenient way to keep the store hours and do the housework, so the house was made larger and the Caffey's remained there, serving the community until their retirement.

One neighbors remark seems to be the attitude shared by the community when he said, "This is the place where I really enjoy loafing. Time goes so pleasantly fast when I sit here and visit with Harold and Mattie. I do enjoy their tales of the past."

When they bought the store folks said Mattie just wouldn't last but she surprised them. As time went on, there was seldom a moment went by without a customer. One of Mattie's favorite times was when the bus made its regular afternoon stop so the children could spend their daily allowance.

The Caffey's taught their children, Billy Joe and Bonnie, always to be kind, and courteous and respect the customers wishes, so they grew up to lots of teasing when they aided their parents with operating the store.

The Caffeys were members of the Methodist Church in Conway, Missouri. They were regular attenders. They enjoyed their four grandchildren who came to visit them often.

Just once in a while the doors of the store would be found to be closed and a sign on the screen "gone fishing". Mattie usually came in with a big one that didn't get away. Only one time was grandson, Joel,' able to top grandmothers big one.

Harold and Mattie Caffey were known as helpers in time of need to all who came their way. Their lives were truly a blessing to many.

Harold W. Caffey passed away on August 7, 1990 and is buried at the Conway Baptist Cemetery in Conway, Missouri.

Mattie M. Johnson Caffey passed away on December 15, 2000 and is buried at the Conway Baptist Cemetery in Conway, Missouri.

Obituary from Conway Baptist Cemetery and Graceland Cemetery book, Laclede County, Missouri, compiled by Joy L. Snow:

Mattie Mae Johnson Caffey was born May 9, 1906 and died December 15, 2000. She was the daughter of William B. Johnson and Elizabeth Montgomery Johnson and was born May 9, 1906 in Conway, Missouri and departed this life December 15, 2000 in Christian Healthcare Center West, Springfield, Missouri.

On October 3, 1925, she was united in marriage with Harold Caffey and to this union were born two children, both surviving. Her husband preceded her in death August 7, 1990.

At an early age, Mattie professed her faith in Christ and united with Bear Thicket Methodist Church, later transferring her membership to Conway United Methodist Church where was faithful until her health began to fail.

For over forty years, Mattie and her husband, Harold, owned and operated Caffey's store near Conway, Missouri, where they made many friends. Mattie loved to bake: pies and cakes were her specialty. IN later years, she enjoyed fishing. She loved visiting with old friends at the store and had a deep love for others, caring about their needs. She was truly a servant of the people and will be greatly missed.

Mattie Mae Johnson Caffey is survived by a son, Billy Joe Caffey and his wife, Letha, Conway, Missouri; a daughter, Bonnie Peters and her husband, Howard of Springfield, Missouri; a sister, Ada Stevers of Colony, Kansas; four grandchildren, six great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren, including one who was born the day Mattie passed away.

Mattie Mae Johnson Caffey is also preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Isaac and Lee Johnson and a sister, Clara Webster. She was buried in the Conway Cemetery, under the direction of Colonial Funeral Chapel of Lebanon, Missouri.

Sources

• Find a Grave Memorial No. 58271596

The History of Laclede County, Missouri, Copyright 1979 by Lois Roper Beard and Heritage Publishing Company

Obituary from Conway Baptist Cemetery and Graceland Cemetery Book, Laclede County, Missouri, compiled by Joy L.Snow, 417-473-1012