Pat Coffey, 91

Pat Coffey, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Pat was a longtime civic leader and generous philanthropist in Oak Ridge. Alongside her husband, David, she played an essential role in founding several local businesses while also leading their household and raising three children.

Born in Bristol, Tennessee, Pat lost her father at age 13; her mother supported the family as a secretary while raising Pat and her brother. Pat graduated first in her class from Tennessee High School and received a Daughters of the Confederacy scholarship. She completed college in three years, attending Virginia Intermont College and King College, making the commute by bus, and did not obtain a driver’s license until after marrying David and moving to Oak Ridge.

Before becoming a mother, Pat taught elementary school in Knoxville. Later, while working full-time alongside David in his entrepreneurial ventures, she took on extensive civic responsibilities: Oak Ridge Jaycette President; Tennessee State Jaycette Secretary; and Oak Ridge Jaycette Outstanding Young Woman of the year. She was a founder of the Monarchs, a YWCA support group. She served on the King College Board of Governors; served on the boards of the East Tennessee Foundation and the Methodist Medical Foundation; and was a member of the Steven L. Coffey Memorial Scholarship Selection Committee from 1987 to 2010. In recognition of her leadership, she was included as a Tennessean in the 1968 edition of Outstanding Young Women of America. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church and the Fellowship Class.

In her later years, Pat was widely respected for her philanthropy and lasting commitment to the Oak Ridge Community.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents (Walter Spence and Pansy Baumgardner), brother Walter Spence Baumgardner II, and son Steve Coffey. She is survived by her beloved husband of 70 years, David Lee Coffey, son Michael (Donna) Coffey, and daughter Karen (Eddie) Williams. The adored grandchildren are Rachel (Blake) Whetstone, Katie (Brandon) Killen, Craig (Abby) Williams, Kristin (Caleb) Johnson, Kevin Williams, and Chloe Williams. The loved great-grandchildren are Ruby Killen, Braxton, Knox, Kenzie, and Maggie Williams, and Norah Johnson. Her special nephew was Spence (Jennifer) Baumgardner.

The family will hold a visitation on Thursday, April 9th, beginning at 5:00 pm at First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge, with a Memorial service to follow.

Her wish was for any memorials to be made to Roane State Community College, Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM), or Young-Williams Animal Shelter.