Elizabeth Coffman

ELIZABETH ELAM COFFMAN, who was beloved and admired by her family, friends, and scores of former students, passed away in Lexington on October 21, 2012. A native and lifelong resident of Earlington until only the last months of her long and fruitful life, she loved and supported her church and was a champion athlete well into her tenth decade. She played tennis, softball, golf, and basketball, in which she earned All-State honors as a freshman at Earlington High School, after which the Commonwealth of Kentucky disallowed girls' basketball for several years, much to Mrs. Coffman's never-ending disappointment. She was a member of the Hopkins County Central Athletic Hall of Fame. She retired after teaching in the Earlington and Hopkins County Schools. Born on October 30, 1915, she was the daughter of Jess Elam and granddaughter of Mike and Ella Hanna. She was predeceased by her son, Gregg, and by Lairy Nofsinger, who was like a son to her. She is survived by her Coffman family -- her son, Dr. Wes Coffman, and his wife, Judge Jennifer Coffman, and their children, Blair and Will and his wife, Katie. She is also survived by her Nofsinger family -- Jean Nofsinger and her children, David and his wife, Whitney, and their sons, Harper and Willis Haden; Sara Jones and her husband, Marlon, and their son, Andru; and Matt; and Mary Lou Gatlin, mother of Lairy Nofsinger. Visitation will be at First Christian Church in Earlington on Saturday, October 27, from noon until 2 p.m., followed by a celebration of Mrs. Coffman's life. Casket bearers will be her grandchildren and their spouses. Instead of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Elizabeth Elam Coffman Memorial Scholarship Fund, Hopkins County Board of Education, 320 South Seminary Street, Madisonville, KY 42431. The Fund will award scholarships to female graduates of Hopkins County Central High School who are proficient in both academics and athletics.