Valerie Coffey

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

Valerie Kay Coffey, 53, of Seneca, Missouri, passed into eternal rest on January 4, 2024, at the K.U. Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

She is survived by her father and mother, Jack and Donna Gilbert of Seneca, Missouri; her brother Vance Gilbert; her husband Bob Coffey of Seneca, Missouri; and her children Luke Coffey, Jacqueline Ford and husband Jake, Mackenzie Coffey and significant other Ben, Emma Hogan and fiancée Dane, and Azmaa Oyunsukh of Germany. We also cannot forget her favorite child and "fur baby" Mongo. 

Valerie, also known as Lolly, is survived by her grandchildren Kyan and Taniah. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, and brother- and sisters-in-law. Valerie was welcomed into heaven's gates by her grandmothers Wanda Gilbert and Dorthy Abernathy; her grandfathers A.W. Gilbert, David Abernathy, and Robert Lewis; and her daughter Audra Hogan.

Valerie was born January 11, 1970, in Neosho, Missouri. She lived in the Seneca area for most of her life and graduated from Seneca High School in 1988. She attended Missouri Southern State University and Franklin Tech College, where she graduated with her L.P.N. degree in 1996. She continued to pursue her education at Crowder College and graduated with her Associate of Nursing degree in 1998. 

Valerie worked at St. John's Hospital in the cardiology unit for a few years, until she transferred to Freeman Hospital for the remainder of her career. She continued to go above and beyond and graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Oklahoma Wesleyan University in 2006. She became a charge nurse in the emergency department at Freeman Hospital, about which she was very passionate.

E.R. nurses are built differently. The strength and grit that it requires to take care of patients during their most vulnerable moments takes a special kind of person, but that was Val. She was a caregiver to so many, always putting others before herself. 'Momma Val' also raised and encouraged many young nurses during her career.

Valerie's passion for nursing was only matched by her love for her family. She loved her parents deeply. The bond between her and her brother, Vance, exceeded all others - a kinship of souls that transcended the need for words. On July 9th, 2011, she married her soulmate, Bob Coffey. Together, they were able to blend a beautiful family. Her girls, Jacci and Emma, were her pride and joy. She also proudly inherited two bonus children, Macki and Luke. Val joins their mother in heaven to keep an eye on all of us. Her adopted daughter from Germany, Azmaa, also quickly became part of the family. Her favorite title was "Lolly." Her grandchildren, Kyan and Taniah, were the lights of her life and they went on many adventures together.

Valerie was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in 2021. She fought a long, hard battle, but Valerie's faith was unwavering. Her mantra throughout her battle with cancer was "Faith Over Fear." She was a devoted member of Banner Church of the Nazarene. We know that she is rejoicing and dancing in heaven at the feet of our Lord and Savior. She was a true testament to God.

Val's smile shined bright in any room that she walked into. She was spontaneous and made every moment in life count. One could often find her dancing the night away and laughing until everyone was crying. She was a dedicated friend. She was passionate and poured her heart into everything and everyone. Val could always see the positive side of any situation and turn it into a good time. She made life less painful and more joyful for everyone she met.

Services for Valerie Coffey will be held under the direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home in Seneca. The visitation will be held at Bethany Baptist Church on Wednesday January 10th from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Her Celebration of Life service will be held at Banner Church of the Nazarene on Thursday January 11th at 10:00 A.M. Following the funeral service, interment will be held at Swars Prairie Baptist Church Cemetery, followed by a lunch for family and friends at Seneca Assembly of God.

In lieu of flowers send charitable contributions to the “IVC (In Val’s Corner)” Scholarship Fund c/o Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home PO Box 380, Seneca, MO 64865.