April 5, 2019 Coats Museum News
The date on the Daily Record posted February 3, 1976. The paper printed a story about J.D. Norris. It stated that J.D. felt a need in 1951 that Coats should have a Methodist Church. Mr. Norris, Owen Bennett and Rev. D.A. Petty from Erwin arranged for a service in the Coats Community Building to discuss a proposed church. The idea materialized and in February 1952 and June 8, 1952 were landmark dates for the Coats Methodist Church. The group moved into the former Coats Baptist Church building and later into the church’s new building on East South Street and South Orange Street in 1968 (Daily Record Feb. 3, 1976). Question-Was there some event or reason for this article appearing in the Daily Record in February 1976?
This I do know. Miss Bonnie Lee, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Lee, Jr., was awarded the Salutatorian Scholarship. Bonnie was a freshman at Campbell (Daily Record Feb. 9, 1976).
Coats is known for its outstanding work with the Boy Scouts. The Coats Town Library displayed a Boy Scouts Exhibit. One display was on Coats Eagle Scouts. Those named were Harold Dixon, Marc Anthony Powell, Dudley T. Denning, Kevin Pope, John A. Wolf, and Larry Tysinger. Badges were on display as were the preamble, Boy Scout oath, trophies, and flags. The Coats Scout leader was Earl R. Denning and Scoutmaster for Troop 779 was Gail Pope (Daily Record Feb. 12, 1976).
Miss Cherie Byrd was Maid of Honor in the Cape Fear Academy’s Homecoming Queen’s Court (Daily Record Feb. 16, 1976).
Mr. and Mrs. Joe M. Giles, Sr. announced the engagement of their daughter, Deborah Lynn Giles, to Carter Daniel Grieder (Daily Record Feb. 19, 1976).
Marion (Toni) Salamoni, daughter of Mrs. Mary Gold Salamoni, of Route One Coats, had entered the Miss Dunn Beauty Pageant (Daily Record Feb. 23, 1976).
Miss Glenda Lee Norris, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Norris of Route One, Benson, had married Charles Benton Nordan, Jr., also of Route One, Benson (Daily Record Mar. 1, 1976).
Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Clayton of Route One, Coats had announced the birth of a son, Clarence Tyrus Clayton, on February 22. The mother was the former Sue Turlington, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Turlington. Mrs. Ollie Raper was the paternal grandmother (Daily Record Mar. 5, 1976).
Who remembers Frank Elliott? He was the farmer who was always accommodating to his neighbors on the east side of Black River in the Bailey’s Crossroads area. The Daily Record March 17, 1976 edition reported the death of the beloved neighbor of my parents. Mr. Elliott was 68 years -old and his funeral was at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church with burial in the church cemetery. Survivors were his widow, Mrs. Minnie Elliott, and his daughters-Margaret Parrish, Miss Judy Elliott and Mrs. Sue Baker. Taylor, Albert and Fred Elliott were sons. Did he have stepchildren?
The same edition of the paper shared that Mr. and Mrs. Stacy A. Byrd of Coats had announced the engagement of their daughter, Anna Michelle Byrd, to Wade Weaver, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wade Weaver.
Dr. Anne Tucker Moore planned to run for NC Senate from District 14. Miss Donna Lynn Tart was engaged to Danny Parker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Preston Parker of Coats (Daily Record Mar. 18, 1976).
Mrs. Martha T. Parrish was one of the newest employees of the County Extension office working with county 4-H clubs (Daily Record Mar. 23, 1976).
The Coats Police Chief Ron Peters was the featured speaker at a 4-H program on Drug Abuse. Martha Parrish, 4-H agent, assisted in presenting the program (Daily Record Apr. 2, 1976).
Petitions were circulated to seek an election to decide if wine (unfortified) and malt beverage would be sold within Coats city limits. Twenty percent of the voters had to sign the petition to hold a referendum on the issue. The town would benefit from sales in the range of $2500 to $3000 yearly (Daily Record Apr. 5, 1976).
Miss Martha Cheryl Byrd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sherrill E. Byrd, was engaged to Thomas Richard Edwards, son of Mr. and Mrs. Corby Edwards (Daily Record Apr. 7, 1976).
Miss Cheryl Ann Byrd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin D. Byrd, became the bride of Raymond Lloyd Coats, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Coats (Daily Record Apr. 9, 1976).
Mr. and Mrs. David T. Wise announced the engagement of their daughter, Denise Wise, to Charles Yount Tutor, of Fuquay Varina (Daily Record April 9, 1976).
James Randy Hedgepeth of Coats, son of Mr. and Mrs. James R. Hedgepeth, had been selected for membership in a Greek Honorary Society. He had been the Harnett County nominee for the Morehead Scholarship and received the four year J.C. Daniels Scholarship (Daily Record Apr. 21, 1976).
Michael and Sondra Ennis Smith announced the birth of a son at Rex Hospital. Brandon’s maternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Earl Ennis of Coats. Do you remember that Mike and Sondra were both teachers at Coats and the impact that Mike had as a coach for the school?
I do know that Sondra’s cousin, Bethany Langdon, was engaged to marry Greg Young Stevens on June 13, 1976 at the Coats Baptist Church (Daily Record Apr. 28, 1976).
Jennings G. Stone, 78, of Coats had died on Tuesday. His services were held at the Gift Primitive Baptist Church. His five sons survived him-Rev. Vilice Stone, Clyde, Alvin, Eldred and Bobby Stone. He was brother to Turner Stone and Mrs. Suzanna Byrd (Daily Record Apr. 29, 1976). Wonder if all the Stone brothers had the talent of Clyde Stone? Remember the names-Clyde Stone and Gerald Young??
Another respected gentleman had passed away. Elton Gilbert Suggs, 71, had died on Thursday. His widow, Mrs. Vada Messer, survived him as did three daughters and two sons-Mrs. Lottie Nordan, Mrs. Linda Turnage, Mrs. Edith Matthews, Earl, Gartha and Roger Suggs. Mrs. Lester Ellis was a sister and Paul Suggs was his half-brother (Daily Record Apr. 30, 1976). His grandchildren-Ricky, Randy and Becky Suggs were outstanding graduates of Coats High School. Did any of his other grandchildren go to Coats High?
It is for sure that things were happening in the Coats Police Department. Police Chief Ron Peters had greatly increased the police presence in the small town of about 2,000 and not only that but he had taken over the classes of Johnny L. Jones while Mr. Jones was in Washington, DC. Peters taught the 35 students “Crime and Criminals: Inquiring into Crucial American Problems”. Mayor Ronald Coats had proclaimed May 14-20 as “Police Week” in Coats. The town had an open house at the police station. The new police car was on display for inspection.
The swinging Elders had entertained the high school students. Mr. Ben Stewart had dressed as a Scottish soldier and Mr. Hewitt Brown was dressed in a Patriot hunting suit of the Revolutionary period. Both gave an interesting talk about the soldier each represented. Birthday cake was served to the student body at lunch to celebrate the birthday of America (Daily Record May 4, 1976).
Our mind is an amazing thing. It can bring the past into the present so we can once again see the landscapes of our former years. Those who know me are aware that I come from a family of ten children-two boys and eight girls-all raised on a large farm outside of Coats. That meant six days of the week in summer were spent in the cotton, corn, tobacco fields or in the vegetable garden. Only two of my sisters lived at home when I was in school because after graduation from Coats High, they all had left for college and afterwards, not by chance, they all found themselves living in the Washington, DC. area.
Being the youngest girl of the eight sisters definitely had advantages. The trips made home by my sisters and their husbands introduced me to a world that made me hunger to learn more about metropolitan foods and clothing –ways of living not found in textbooks and especially not in the farm fields of northeastern Harnett County.
Each sister had an impact on what I became. All seven were alike in looks yet different in personalities. My dad was very protective of his daughters. Good grades and college were a no brainer for my parents. However, after school activities were not a priority to him until my sister Sue convinced him otherwise. She persuaded Dad into letting her play trumpet in the school band, play high school basketball, take leadership roles in clubs, and enter beauty pageants. As her younger sister, she had opened the floodgates for me to do and be anything I dared to try in high school and college.
Last week H.L. and I traveled to Nashville, TN for the memorial services of my sister Sue Johnson Richey-leaving me the only sister living. There I saw her four beautiful daughters and watched how they interacted and conducted themselves and my past came to my present as I remembered all the wonderful memories of growing up with loving siblings who were supportive, caring, and generous in all the crazy projects I have pursued in the Coats area were we had all grown into adults. Thank you goes to Steeves and Louise Smith, our daughter Lenee’s in-laws from South Dakota, who gave a generous memorial donation to the Coats Museum for Sue.
Volunteers had an exciting last week. On Thursday, we had several folks who visited for the first time. Annie Mae Barefoot Pleasant and Judy Barefoot Joyner dropped in for an awesome visit from Raleigh and Fuquay Varina. Their mom’s name has appeared in the paper countless times as she was active in both the Home Demonstration Club and the Women of the Church at Ebenezer Presbyterian. Wonderful memories from the ladies and we look forward to another visit soon. Who recognized the names?
Edith Penny’s visit brought tears to our eyes. Edith came bringing a memorial donation from her young granddaughters-Abby and Avery- to honor their Papa Roy Penny. The little girls had worked tirelessly helping their grandparents by picking up pine cones and other tasks to raise money for the donation. The family returned on Sunday for the presentation and a tour of the museum. The generous gene of Roy Penny, a good supporter of the museum, has been passed on to his two little great-grandchildren. Thanks to all of you.
The date on the Daily Record posted February 3, 1976. The paper printed a story about J.D. Norris. It stated that J.D. felt a need in 1951 that Coats should have a Methodist Church. Mr. Norris, Owen Bennett and Rev. D.A. Petty from Erwin arranged for a service in the Coats Community Building to discuss a proposed church. The idea materialized and in February 1952 and June 8, 1952 were landmark dates for the Coats Methodist Church. The group moved into the former Coats Baptist Church building and later into the church’s new building on East South Street and South Orange Street in 1968 (Daily Record Feb. 3, 1976). Question-Was there some event or reason for this article appearing in the Daily Record in February 1976?
This I do know. Miss Bonnie Lee, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Lee, Jr., was awarded the Salutatorian Scholarship. Bonnie was a freshman at Campbell (Daily Record Feb. 9, 1976).
Coats is known for its outstanding work with the Boy Scouts. The Coats Town Library displayed a Boy Scouts Exhibit. One display was on Coats Eagle Scouts. Those named were Harold Dixon, Marc Anthony Powell, Dudley T. Denning, Kevin Pope, John A. Wolf, and Larry Tysinger. Badges were on display as were the preamble, Boy Scout oath, trophies, and flags. The Coats Scout leader was Earl R. Denning and Scoutmaster for Troop 779 was Gail Pope (Daily Record Feb. 12, 1976).
Miss Cherie Byrd was Maid of Honor in the Cape Fear Academy’s Homecoming Queen’s Court (Daily Record Feb. 16, 1976).
Mr. and Mrs. Joe M. Giles, Sr. announced the engagement of their daughter, Deborah Lynn Giles, to Carter Daniel Grieder (Daily Record Feb. 19, 1976).
Marion (Toni) Salamoni, daughter of Mrs. Mary Gold Salamoni, of Route One Coats, had entered the Miss Dunn Beauty Pageant (Daily Record Feb. 23, 1976).
Miss Glenda Lee Norris, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Norris of Route One, Benson, had married Charles Benton Nordan, Jr., also of Route One, Benson (Daily Record Mar. 1, 1976).
Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Clayton of Route One, Coats had announced the birth of a son, Clarence Tyrus Clayton, on February 22. The mother was the former Sue Turlington, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Turlington. Mrs. Ollie Raper was the paternal grandmother (Daily Record Mar. 5, 1976).
Who remembers Frank Elliott? He was the farmer who was always accommodating to his neighbors on the east side of Black River in the Bailey’s Crossroads area. The Daily Record March 17, 1976 edition reported the death of the beloved neighbor of my parents. Mr. Elliott was 68 years -old and his funeral was at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church with burial in the church cemetery. Survivors were his widow, Mrs. Minnie Elliott, and his daughters-Margaret Parrish, Miss Judy Elliott and Mrs. Sue Baker. Taylor, Albert and Fred Elliott were sons. Did he have stepchildren?
The same edition of the paper shared that Mr. and Mrs. Stacy A. Byrd of Coats had announced the engagement of their daughter, Anna Michelle Byrd, to Wade Weaver, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wade Weaver.
Dr. Anne Tucker Moore planned to run for NC Senate from District 14. Miss Donna Lynn Tart was engaged to Danny Parker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Preston Parker of Coats (Daily Record Mar. 18, 1976).
Mrs. Martha T. Parrish was one of the newest employees of the County Extension office working with county 4-H clubs (Daily Record Mar. 23, 1976).
The Coats Police Chief Ron Peters was the featured speaker at a 4-H program on Drug Abuse. Martha Parrish, 4-H agent, assisted in presenting the program (Daily Record Apr. 2, 1976).
Petitions were circulated to seek an election to decide if wine (unfortified) and malt beverage would be sold within Coats city limits. Twenty percent of the voters had to sign the petition to hold a referendum on the issue. The town would benefit from sales in the range of $2500 to $3000 yearly (Daily Record Apr. 5, 1976).
Miss Martha Cheryl Byrd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sherrill E. Byrd, was engaged to Thomas Richard Edwards, son of Mr. and Mrs. Corby Edwards (Daily Record Apr. 7, 1976).
Miss Cheryl Ann Byrd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin D. Byrd, became the bride of Raymond Lloyd Coats, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Coats (Daily Record Apr. 9, 1976).
Mr. and Mrs. David T. Wise announced the engagement of their daughter, Denise Wise, to Charles Yount Tutor, of Fuquay Varina (Daily Record April 9, 1976).
James Randy Hedgepeth of Coats, son of Mr. and Mrs. James R. Hedgepeth, had been selected for membership in a Greek Honorary Society. He had been the Harnett County nominee for the Morehead Scholarship and received the four year J.C. Daniels Scholarship (Daily Record Apr. 21, 1976).
Michael and Sondra Ennis Smith announced the birth of a son at Rex Hospital. Brandon’s maternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Earl Ennis of Coats. Do you remember that Mike and Sondra were both teachers at Coats and the impact that Mike had as a coach for the school?
I do know that Sondra’s cousin, Bethany Langdon, was engaged to marry Greg Young Stevens on June 13, 1976 at the Coats Baptist Church (Daily Record Apr. 28, 1976).
Jennings G. Stone, 78, of Coats had died on Tuesday. His services were held at the Gift Primitive Baptist Church. His five sons survived him-Rev. Vilice Stone, Clyde, Alvin, Eldred and Bobby Stone. He was brother to Turner Stone and Mrs. Suzanna Byrd (Daily Record Apr. 29, 1976). Wonder if all the Stone brothers had the talent of Clyde Stone? Remember the names-Clyde Stone and Gerald Young??
Another respected gentleman had passed away. Elton Gilbert Suggs, 71, had died on Thursday. His widow, Mrs. Vada Messer, survived him as did three daughters and two sons-Mrs. Lottie Nordan, Mrs. Linda Turnage, Mrs. Edith Matthews, Earl, Gartha and Roger Suggs. Mrs. Lester Ellis was a sister and Paul Suggs was his half-brother (Daily Record Apr. 30, 1976). His grandchildren-Ricky, Randy and Becky Suggs were outstanding graduates of Coats High School. Did any of his other grandchildren go to Coats High?
It is for sure that things were happening in the Coats Police Department. Police Chief Ron Peters had greatly increased the police presence in the small town of about 2,000 and not only that but he had taken over the classes of Johnny L. Jones while Mr. Jones was in Washington, DC. Peters taught the 35 students “Crime and Criminals: Inquiring into Crucial American Problems”. Mayor Ronald Coats had proclaimed May 14-20 as “Police Week” in Coats. The town had an open house at the police station. The new police car was on display for inspection.
The swinging Elders had entertained the high school students. Mr. Ben Stewart had dressed as a Scottish soldier and Mr. Hewitt Brown was dressed in a Patriot hunting suit of the Revolutionary period. Both gave an interesting talk about the soldier each represented. Birthday cake was served to the student body at lunch to celebrate the birthday of America (Daily Record May 4, 1976).
Our mind is an amazing thing. It can bring the past into the present so we can once again see the landscapes of our former years. Those who know me are aware that I come from a family of ten children-two boys and eight girls-all raised on a large farm outside of Coats. That meant six days of the week in summer were spent in the cotton, corn, tobacco fields or in the vegetable garden. Only two of my sisters lived at home when I was in school because after graduation from Coats High, they all had left for college and afterwards, not by chance, they all found themselves living in the Washington, DC. area.
Being the youngest girl of the eight sisters definitely had advantages. The trips made home by my sisters and their husbands introduced me to a world that made me hunger to learn more about metropolitan foods and clothing –ways of living not found in textbooks and especially not in the farm fields of northeastern Harnett County.
Each sister had an impact on what I became. All seven were alike in looks yet different in personalities. My dad was very protective of his daughters. Good grades and college were a no brainer for my parents. However, after school activities were not a priority to him until my sister Sue convinced him otherwise. She persuaded Dad into letting her play trumpet in the school band, play high school basketball, take leadership roles in clubs, and enter beauty pageants. As her younger sister, she had opened the floodgates for me to do and be anything I dared to try in high school and college.
Last week H.L. and I traveled to Nashville, TN for the memorial services of my sister Sue Johnson Richey-leaving me the only sister living. There I saw her four beautiful daughters and watched how they interacted and conducted themselves and my past came to my present as I remembered all the wonderful memories of growing up with loving siblings who were supportive, caring, and generous in all the crazy projects I have pursued in the Coats area were we had all grown into adults. Thank you goes to Steeves and Louise Smith, our daughter Lenee’s in-laws from South Dakota, who gave a generous memorial donation to the Coats Museum for Sue.
Volunteers had an exciting last week. On Thursday, we had several folks who visited for the first time. Annie Mae Barefoot Pleasant and Judy Barefoot Joyner dropped in for an awesome visit from Raleigh and Fuquay Varina. Their mom’s name has appeared in the paper countless times as she was active in both the Home Demonstration Club and the Women of the Church at Ebenezer Presbyterian. Wonderful memories from the ladies and we look forward to another visit soon. Who recognized the names?
Edith Penny’s visit brought tears to our eyes. Edith came bringing a memorial donation from her young granddaughters-Abby and Avery- to honor their Papa Roy Penny. The little girls had worked tirelessly helping their grandparents by picking up pine cones and other tasks to raise money for the donation. The family returned on Sunday for the presentation and a tour of the museum. The generous gene of Roy Penny, a good supporter of the museum, has been passed on to his two little great-grandchildren. Thanks to all of you.