April 21, 2023 Coats Museum News
It was almost thirty–one years ago when Tim McKinnie was mayor of Coats and the CACC had honored the town’s police with an appreciation breakfast. The mayor praised the police force as one of the best in the state. If you wonder what the police force did in the year, let’s revisit what M.O. Phillips shared with statistics. The officers recovered 55% of stolen property in town that was reported to be $141,404. The recovery was $78,000. The state rate was only 25%. Seventy-two breaking and entering suspects were arrested. Forty-two assaulters were arrested. Fifty-five people were stopped for driving while impaired. Forty were apprehended for gas drive-offs. Two stolen cars were recovered. The police escorted business owners making deposits and withdrawals. The chamber president commended Tommy Williford and his officers for a job well done (Daily Record Aug. 10, 1992).
Do you wish to know who those dedicated police officers were? They were Ray Brownie, Randy Beasley, Jeff Stewart, Alvester McKoy, Tommy Williford, Terry Abney, and Sherrill Coats. A recognizable name who also attended was Elaine Marshall, a candidate for N.C. Senate (Daily Record August 10, 1992).
Death visited a local family in August of 1992. Mrs. Flossie McLeod Avery, 81, of Route One, Coats, had died at the Good Hope Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Benjamin Franklin McLeod and Laura Jackson McLeod. Her services were held at the Prospect FWB Church with burial in the church cemetery. Surviving her were her son Ronald Avery and two daughters-Faye Avery Dunbar and Helen A. Gomedella (Daily Record Aug. 10, 1992).
Death remained in the area and took Linda Suggs Turnage, 51, who died at the UNC Hospitals. She was originally from the Bailey’s Crossroads area. Earl Suggs of Coats was a brother (Daily Record Aug 10, 1992).
A third death was printed in the next edition of the Daily Record. Sara Elizabeth Holmes Godwin, 93, of Coats, had died at the GHH. Elder Danny Carroll officiated at her service and after which she was buried in the Hannah’s Creek Church Cemetery near Benson (Daily Record August 11. 1992).
She was the widow of Elder B.L. Godwin, a former town official and builder. She was survived by a son Thurman Godwin, Sr.; daughters-Jean G. Walker, Ann G. Huff, Mazelle G. Strickland, Isabel Fish, and Helen Carroll.
The Coats Lions Club had honored Forest Fleming as the Lion of the Year. Forest had been a Lion for five years, had served in several leadership roles and had initiated several new ideas to enhance the club (Daily Record Aug. 12, 1992). Wonder if Joy Dan came down to see her son accept the prestigious award.
The Fred Robinsons spent their 20th anniversary in Maine. They picked blueberries, fished and shopped. Surely Bartley and Frances Cook would have enjoyed such a trip if health had not prevented it.
Another couple celebrated an anniversary and this was a 50th one and was held at their home. Earl and Beanie Langdon Ennis were treated to the event at their lovely country home where all attendees were dressed for the occasion according to Belle Williams in her Notes from Coats where she stated one would really not have known it was their 50th (Daily Record August 13, 1992). Belle did not clarify what she meant by the statement but I do know the event was hosted by Sondra Smith, Dale Ennis and Gale Penny.
Deaths and anniversaries had made the August newspaper and now it was time to learn about a wedding. Bonnie Michele Jones and Garland Dewayne Avery were married in an afternoon wedding ceremony at Porter’s Chapel. The groom was the son of Granville and Darlene Avery (Daily Record Aug. 25, 1992).
Question-was Granville ever a postmaster at the Coats Post Office?
This I do know. Julian and Jean Danenburg were enjoying their retirement. Their daughter, Julia Butler and her husband Gary Butler, had loaded their sons-Brad, Brett and Brandon, into their comfortable van and had headed to Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was a fun and educational trip for the family (Daily Record Aug. 27, 1992).
President Forest Fleming and the Coats Jaycees had hosted the District A of the East Central Region first quarter meeting of the Jaycees at Ron’s Barn. Jaycees from Dunn, Sanford and Erwin had attended (Daily Record Aug. 27, 1992).
Mrs. Florence Grimes, widow of Alton Grimes and mother of Hilda Grimes Hedrick, Jenny Grimes Stephenson and Wayne Grimes, was termed “a top flight citizen” by the CACC. She had worked in the Coats City Cemetery for three years where she had cleared up weedy corners and planted shrubs and flowers. Five days a week from 9-to 4, she worked for pleasure of making a contribution. The unselfish lady walked with tools to the cemetery until her son-in –law, Wade Stephenson and daughter, Jenny, bought her a golf cart equipped with a rack and flat service so Mrs. Florence could carry all she needed to do her labor of love in the cemetery (Daily Record Aug. 31, 1992).
On the political front, four Harnett residents were named “Farmers for Jim hunt”. These men were leaders in agriculture and agribusiness. Clyde Adams, M.O. Phillips, Everett Suitt and Jeff Turlington were included on the list (daily Record Sept. 1, 1992).
David Barnes and his assistant Joe Lee, had installed a sound system in the Coats Senior Center where David was a Junior Playmaker and Joe was a Senior Playmaker.
Many people were wishing Mrs. Lucy Weaver a speedy recovery from her gall bladder surgery at Rex. Others in the area needing care were Troy Roberts, Kenneth Turlington, Charles Ivey, and Caitlin Powell, granddaughter of Louise Jackson.
Hilda and Gail Pope had the opportunity to see Shirley Jones and het her autograph when she spoke at the National American Legion in Ladies Auxiliary Convention in Chicago. Back in Coats, young girls and their mothers were shopping for clothes for the Little Miss Coats Beauty Pageant.
The volunteers are currently gathering the history of the older houses in Coats. We invite you to come and share info on any house that your family had a connection to in days past. The Coats Heritage and Cotton Museums are open every Thursday from 9-3 and on Sundays from 2-5. We love giving tours to individuals and large groups. The museums are non-profit and there is no admission. The genealogists will gladly help with family research on Thursdays. It is a fun place to visit and learn about the area and its folks.
It was almost thirty–one years ago when Tim McKinnie was mayor of Coats and the CACC had honored the town’s police with an appreciation breakfast. The mayor praised the police force as one of the best in the state. If you wonder what the police force did in the year, let’s revisit what M.O. Phillips shared with statistics. The officers recovered 55% of stolen property in town that was reported to be $141,404. The recovery was $78,000. The state rate was only 25%. Seventy-two breaking and entering suspects were arrested. Forty-two assaulters were arrested. Fifty-five people were stopped for driving while impaired. Forty were apprehended for gas drive-offs. Two stolen cars were recovered. The police escorted business owners making deposits and withdrawals. The chamber president commended Tommy Williford and his officers for a job well done (Daily Record Aug. 10, 1992).
Do you wish to know who those dedicated police officers were? They were Ray Brownie, Randy Beasley, Jeff Stewart, Alvester McKoy, Tommy Williford, Terry Abney, and Sherrill Coats. A recognizable name who also attended was Elaine Marshall, a candidate for N.C. Senate (Daily Record August 10, 1992).
Death visited a local family in August of 1992. Mrs. Flossie McLeod Avery, 81, of Route One, Coats, had died at the Good Hope Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Benjamin Franklin McLeod and Laura Jackson McLeod. Her services were held at the Prospect FWB Church with burial in the church cemetery. Surviving her were her son Ronald Avery and two daughters-Faye Avery Dunbar and Helen A. Gomedella (Daily Record Aug. 10, 1992).
Death remained in the area and took Linda Suggs Turnage, 51, who died at the UNC Hospitals. She was originally from the Bailey’s Crossroads area. Earl Suggs of Coats was a brother (Daily Record Aug 10, 1992).
A third death was printed in the next edition of the Daily Record. Sara Elizabeth Holmes Godwin, 93, of Coats, had died at the GHH. Elder Danny Carroll officiated at her service and after which she was buried in the Hannah’s Creek Church Cemetery near Benson (Daily Record August 11. 1992).
She was the widow of Elder B.L. Godwin, a former town official and builder. She was survived by a son Thurman Godwin, Sr.; daughters-Jean G. Walker, Ann G. Huff, Mazelle G. Strickland, Isabel Fish, and Helen Carroll.
The Coats Lions Club had honored Forest Fleming as the Lion of the Year. Forest had been a Lion for five years, had served in several leadership roles and had initiated several new ideas to enhance the club (Daily Record Aug. 12, 1992). Wonder if Joy Dan came down to see her son accept the prestigious award.
The Fred Robinsons spent their 20th anniversary in Maine. They picked blueberries, fished and shopped. Surely Bartley and Frances Cook would have enjoyed such a trip if health had not prevented it.
Another couple celebrated an anniversary and this was a 50th one and was held at their home. Earl and Beanie Langdon Ennis were treated to the event at their lovely country home where all attendees were dressed for the occasion according to Belle Williams in her Notes from Coats where she stated one would really not have known it was their 50th (Daily Record August 13, 1992). Belle did not clarify what she meant by the statement but I do know the event was hosted by Sondra Smith, Dale Ennis and Gale Penny.
Deaths and anniversaries had made the August newspaper and now it was time to learn about a wedding. Bonnie Michele Jones and Garland Dewayne Avery were married in an afternoon wedding ceremony at Porter’s Chapel. The groom was the son of Granville and Darlene Avery (Daily Record Aug. 25, 1992).
Question-was Granville ever a postmaster at the Coats Post Office?
This I do know. Julian and Jean Danenburg were enjoying their retirement. Their daughter, Julia Butler and her husband Gary Butler, had loaded their sons-Brad, Brett and Brandon, into their comfortable van and had headed to Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was a fun and educational trip for the family (Daily Record Aug. 27, 1992).
President Forest Fleming and the Coats Jaycees had hosted the District A of the East Central Region first quarter meeting of the Jaycees at Ron’s Barn. Jaycees from Dunn, Sanford and Erwin had attended (Daily Record Aug. 27, 1992).
Mrs. Florence Grimes, widow of Alton Grimes and mother of Hilda Grimes Hedrick, Jenny Grimes Stephenson and Wayne Grimes, was termed “a top flight citizen” by the CACC. She had worked in the Coats City Cemetery for three years where she had cleared up weedy corners and planted shrubs and flowers. Five days a week from 9-to 4, she worked for pleasure of making a contribution. The unselfish lady walked with tools to the cemetery until her son-in –law, Wade Stephenson and daughter, Jenny, bought her a golf cart equipped with a rack and flat service so Mrs. Florence could carry all she needed to do her labor of love in the cemetery (Daily Record Aug. 31, 1992).
On the political front, four Harnett residents were named “Farmers for Jim hunt”. These men were leaders in agriculture and agribusiness. Clyde Adams, M.O. Phillips, Everett Suitt and Jeff Turlington were included on the list (daily Record Sept. 1, 1992).
David Barnes and his assistant Joe Lee, had installed a sound system in the Coats Senior Center where David was a Junior Playmaker and Joe was a Senior Playmaker.
Many people were wishing Mrs. Lucy Weaver a speedy recovery from her gall bladder surgery at Rex. Others in the area needing care were Troy Roberts, Kenneth Turlington, Charles Ivey, and Caitlin Powell, granddaughter of Louise Jackson.
Hilda and Gail Pope had the opportunity to see Shirley Jones and het her autograph when she spoke at the National American Legion in Ladies Auxiliary Convention in Chicago. Back in Coats, young girls and their mothers were shopping for clothes for the Little Miss Coats Beauty Pageant.
The volunteers are currently gathering the history of the older houses in Coats. We invite you to come and share info on any house that your family had a connection to in days past. The Coats Heritage and Cotton Museums are open every Thursday from 9-3 and on Sundays from 2-5. We love giving tours to individuals and large groups. The museums are non-profit and there is no admission. The genealogists will gladly help with family research on Thursdays. It is a fun place to visit and learn about the area and its folks.