August 15, 2014 Coats Museum News
What did the Dunn Dispatch writer mean when he stated that the following teachers were approved? Ada Randall, Edith Allen, Dorothy Freeman, Clyde Bryan, Nell Penny Williams, Phyllis Timberlake, Blanche O. Dupree, Lorena S. Jeffreys, Lucille Allen, Hazel Eure, and Truth Coon were listed as new and approved for the 1949-50 term at Coats School while Christine J. Sinclair was at Oakdale and Fannie Marie Murchinson was at the Coats Negro School (Dunn Dispatch Sept. 28, 1949).
Dr. Fred Fleming, prominent physician, civic and church leader had died suddenly in his office in Coats on a Saturday morning just one day short of his 50th birthday. He had been involved in Harnett County for nearly two decades. He had just treated a patient when he suffered the fatal heart attack. Mrs. Katherine Bland Fleming and two sons, Bland and Nesbitt, survived him. Miss Belle Fleming was his only sister but he had four brothers: W.E., R.E., W.S., and C.G. Fleming. Contributions in lieu of flowers were to be sent to the Coats Baptist Church.
A native of Docksville, Dr. Fleming had graduated from UNC School of Pharmacy, Wake Forest Medical School, Tulane in New Orleans, and interned at Mercy Hospital. Dr. Donald Moore had to take over for Dr. Fleming almost as soon as he had arrived in Coats. By the way, the younger Donald Moore, who is serving with the U.S. State Department in the American Embassy in Indonesia, was not named after the doctor but rather after Devon’s brother Eugene Moore’s son Donald according to Donald’s mom. Either Donald would surely be proud of the service that the younger Donald Moore is doing for our country.
Active pallbearers were Negro friends of the family and services were held in the auditorium of Coats School where he had served on the school board for 15 years. Mrs. Tony Stewart, Mrs. Burline Vail, and Mrs. Lessie Fox went to his aid, but he lived only a few moments (Dunn Dispatch Oct. 3, 1949).
Wayne Parrish recalled going to the funeral when he was a young boy of about 8 and remembered the long lines of people in the halls and auditorium (Parrish interview 2003).
The Coats Community Building was not completed. However, the Fellowship Club was determined that it would be. The club raised $123.00 at a barbeque supper for the fund. Families around Coats were visited and were visiting. Dr. and Mrs. Donald Moore visited relatives in Richmond, VA. Mr. and Mrs. M.O. Phillips visited the Wheeless and Core families in Meadow. Mr. and Mrs. Carson Honeycutt of Black Mountain visited Mrs. Sally Parrish. Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Nichols spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Ed Nichols who had recently bought a home in Asheboro. Oscar Bain had visited his sister, Mrs. Mattie Bain. Mr. and Mrs. Guy Stewart had moved into their new home on the corner of Main and Caro Street.
Harnett County was facing a tax increase. The county was feeling the loss of revenue from beer sales. The big Harvest Day Sale and Barbeque Supper was held at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church with the proceeds going to finish the Sunday school rooms. Elsewhere, Braxton Pollard, Carlie Pleasant, and T.G. Baucom were summoned to November jury duty. A marriage license was issued to George Ferrell and Dorothy Pope (Dunn Dispatch Oct. 6, 1949).
Remember a few columns back that I asked about the third theater in Dunn. Wanda Moody called to say that she had been to that third theater (Harnett Theater ?)) where she remembered going several times. The last time she went there were hundreds of bugs flying around and everyone was swatting them. She never went back and recalled that the theater later closed. She said it was on Broad Street in the area of Robie Tart’s business today.
Do others have memories of that theater? This I do know. The Coats Theater manager and Mrs. Orus Autry had Mrs. L.W. Autry and Miss Joycette Autry as Sunday guests. At another location in town, Mrs. Christine Akerman was honored by dozens of friends with a farewell party and showered her with gifts at the Coats Bridge Club. She was to leave for Japan to be with her husband there. Mrs. Leon Talton of Southern Pines spent the weekend with her mother, Mrs. T.D. Stewart. Others in town were planning a game tournament to raise money for the Community Building (Dunn Dispatch Oct. 7, 1949).
The Pleasant Memory Church organized a new Home Demonstration Club at the home of Mrs. Talmon H. Penny. Carson Gregory was elected president of the Coats Fellowship Club. Ted Malone was vice president; Ed Denning, secretary; Clyde Ennis, treasurer; and Rev. Joe Long was elected reporter. He must have done a good job because you are reading what he sent to the paper in 1949.
The Turlington HD Club met with Mrs. John Wolf. Christine had arrived in Japan to meet her husband Warrant Officer Bill Akerman where he was serving as Signal Supply Officer for the Seventh Infantry Division. Back home, Mr. and Mrs. Wade Campbell announced the engagement of their daughter Doris to Billy Ray Ennis, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Ennis of Angier (Dunn Dispatch Oct. 12, 1949).
Miss Neva Tart of Dunn was to marry L. Walton Johnson. Mrs. Leon Barefoot honored Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Langdon with a miscellaneous shower. On a grimmer note, Mrs. T.J. Barnes, Jr. and Mrs. Lela Turlington were hospital patients. The Turlington Hog Farm had a highly successful hog sale where over 200 people were present (Dunn Dispatch Oct. 14, 1949).
The Coats Woman’s Club had a talent show called “Laff It Off” to raise money for the Community Building. Mrs. Helen Daniels of Kansas City who “loved the friendly people of Coats” directed the program. The cast included about fifty people who impersonated famous newspaper columnists and others behind the news. Mrs. W.E. Nichols played Hedda Hopper with all her goofy hats. Mr. Ted Malone, Hayes Beasley, Robert Godwin, M.O. Phillips, Stacy Byrd, J.D. McLamb, R.E. Parrish, and J.D. Norris were cast in roles such as Popeye, Orphan Annie, and Blondie and Bumstead. Little C.M. Stewart and Carolyn Phillips played Junior and Jane.
Coats students paid tributes to Dr. Fred Fleming. The following were poems written by two fourth grade students of Miss Ruth Langdon. “Our Doctor” -He always came when he was called-No Matter what the time-He helped to take the pain away-And kept us feeling fine- by Jo Carol Penny. A second poem was written by Norma Lee Johnson and was titled “A Sacrifice”- He came through night and day-To help us in anyway-He worked with all his might-Our health to keep just right.
The Harnett County BOE also praised Dr. Fleming, chairman of the Coats District, for giving his time and effort in the interest of Coats school. Another Coats man had also died. Alfred J. Williams, 66, had died at his home on Sunday at 6:30pm. Services were held at the Gift PBC and burial was in the Williams Cemetery. Jeppie, Lloyd, Everette, Silas, Eugene, and O’Dell Williams were his sons and Mrs. Videa Pope, Mrs. Vergie Knox, Mrs. Ola Barefoot, Mrs. Dorothy Barefoot, and Miss Susie Williams were daughters. Siblings were Monroe Williams and Mrs. Hattie Stewart (Dunn Dispatch Oct. 17, 1949).
Can anyone tell me the name of his grandson whose family has upholstered furniture for people all over the country and in such places as the Governor’s Mansion, Liberty Hall, Capital City Club, John Edwards’s house, the Coats Museum and in many houses in our area?
What did the Dunn Dispatch writer mean when he stated that the following teachers were approved? Ada Randall, Edith Allen, Dorothy Freeman, Clyde Bryan, Nell Penny Williams, Phyllis Timberlake, Blanche O. Dupree, Lorena S. Jeffreys, Lucille Allen, Hazel Eure, and Truth Coon were listed as new and approved for the 1949-50 term at Coats School while Christine J. Sinclair was at Oakdale and Fannie Marie Murchinson was at the Coats Negro School (Dunn Dispatch Sept. 28, 1949).
Dr. Fred Fleming, prominent physician, civic and church leader had died suddenly in his office in Coats on a Saturday morning just one day short of his 50th birthday. He had been involved in Harnett County for nearly two decades. He had just treated a patient when he suffered the fatal heart attack. Mrs. Katherine Bland Fleming and two sons, Bland and Nesbitt, survived him. Miss Belle Fleming was his only sister but he had four brothers: W.E., R.E., W.S., and C.G. Fleming. Contributions in lieu of flowers were to be sent to the Coats Baptist Church.
A native of Docksville, Dr. Fleming had graduated from UNC School of Pharmacy, Wake Forest Medical School, Tulane in New Orleans, and interned at Mercy Hospital. Dr. Donald Moore had to take over for Dr. Fleming almost as soon as he had arrived in Coats. By the way, the younger Donald Moore, who is serving with the U.S. State Department in the American Embassy in Indonesia, was not named after the doctor but rather after Devon’s brother Eugene Moore’s son Donald according to Donald’s mom. Either Donald would surely be proud of the service that the younger Donald Moore is doing for our country.
Active pallbearers were Negro friends of the family and services were held in the auditorium of Coats School where he had served on the school board for 15 years. Mrs. Tony Stewart, Mrs. Burline Vail, and Mrs. Lessie Fox went to his aid, but he lived only a few moments (Dunn Dispatch Oct. 3, 1949).
Wayne Parrish recalled going to the funeral when he was a young boy of about 8 and remembered the long lines of people in the halls and auditorium (Parrish interview 2003).
The Coats Community Building was not completed. However, the Fellowship Club was determined that it would be. The club raised $123.00 at a barbeque supper for the fund. Families around Coats were visited and were visiting. Dr. and Mrs. Donald Moore visited relatives in Richmond, VA. Mr. and Mrs. M.O. Phillips visited the Wheeless and Core families in Meadow. Mr. and Mrs. Carson Honeycutt of Black Mountain visited Mrs. Sally Parrish. Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Nichols spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Ed Nichols who had recently bought a home in Asheboro. Oscar Bain had visited his sister, Mrs. Mattie Bain. Mr. and Mrs. Guy Stewart had moved into their new home on the corner of Main and Caro Street.
Harnett County was facing a tax increase. The county was feeling the loss of revenue from beer sales. The big Harvest Day Sale and Barbeque Supper was held at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church with the proceeds going to finish the Sunday school rooms. Elsewhere, Braxton Pollard, Carlie Pleasant, and T.G. Baucom were summoned to November jury duty. A marriage license was issued to George Ferrell and Dorothy Pope (Dunn Dispatch Oct. 6, 1949).
Remember a few columns back that I asked about the third theater in Dunn. Wanda Moody called to say that she had been to that third theater (Harnett Theater ?)) where she remembered going several times. The last time she went there were hundreds of bugs flying around and everyone was swatting them. She never went back and recalled that the theater later closed. She said it was on Broad Street in the area of Robie Tart’s business today.
Do others have memories of that theater? This I do know. The Coats Theater manager and Mrs. Orus Autry had Mrs. L.W. Autry and Miss Joycette Autry as Sunday guests. At another location in town, Mrs. Christine Akerman was honored by dozens of friends with a farewell party and showered her with gifts at the Coats Bridge Club. She was to leave for Japan to be with her husband there. Mrs. Leon Talton of Southern Pines spent the weekend with her mother, Mrs. T.D. Stewart. Others in town were planning a game tournament to raise money for the Community Building (Dunn Dispatch Oct. 7, 1949).
The Pleasant Memory Church organized a new Home Demonstration Club at the home of Mrs. Talmon H. Penny. Carson Gregory was elected president of the Coats Fellowship Club. Ted Malone was vice president; Ed Denning, secretary; Clyde Ennis, treasurer; and Rev. Joe Long was elected reporter. He must have done a good job because you are reading what he sent to the paper in 1949.
The Turlington HD Club met with Mrs. John Wolf. Christine had arrived in Japan to meet her husband Warrant Officer Bill Akerman where he was serving as Signal Supply Officer for the Seventh Infantry Division. Back home, Mr. and Mrs. Wade Campbell announced the engagement of their daughter Doris to Billy Ray Ennis, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Ennis of Angier (Dunn Dispatch Oct. 12, 1949).
Miss Neva Tart of Dunn was to marry L. Walton Johnson. Mrs. Leon Barefoot honored Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Langdon with a miscellaneous shower. On a grimmer note, Mrs. T.J. Barnes, Jr. and Mrs. Lela Turlington were hospital patients. The Turlington Hog Farm had a highly successful hog sale where over 200 people were present (Dunn Dispatch Oct. 14, 1949).
The Coats Woman’s Club had a talent show called “Laff It Off” to raise money for the Community Building. Mrs. Helen Daniels of Kansas City who “loved the friendly people of Coats” directed the program. The cast included about fifty people who impersonated famous newspaper columnists and others behind the news. Mrs. W.E. Nichols played Hedda Hopper with all her goofy hats. Mr. Ted Malone, Hayes Beasley, Robert Godwin, M.O. Phillips, Stacy Byrd, J.D. McLamb, R.E. Parrish, and J.D. Norris were cast in roles such as Popeye, Orphan Annie, and Blondie and Bumstead. Little C.M. Stewart and Carolyn Phillips played Junior and Jane.
Coats students paid tributes to Dr. Fred Fleming. The following were poems written by two fourth grade students of Miss Ruth Langdon. “Our Doctor” -He always came when he was called-No Matter what the time-He helped to take the pain away-And kept us feeling fine- by Jo Carol Penny. A second poem was written by Norma Lee Johnson and was titled “A Sacrifice”- He came through night and day-To help us in anyway-He worked with all his might-Our health to keep just right.
The Harnett County BOE also praised Dr. Fleming, chairman of the Coats District, for giving his time and effort in the interest of Coats school. Another Coats man had also died. Alfred J. Williams, 66, had died at his home on Sunday at 6:30pm. Services were held at the Gift PBC and burial was in the Williams Cemetery. Jeppie, Lloyd, Everette, Silas, Eugene, and O’Dell Williams were his sons and Mrs. Videa Pope, Mrs. Vergie Knox, Mrs. Ola Barefoot, Mrs. Dorothy Barefoot, and Miss Susie Williams were daughters. Siblings were Monroe Williams and Mrs. Hattie Stewart (Dunn Dispatch Oct. 17, 1949).
Can anyone tell me the name of his grandson whose family has upholstered furniture for people all over the country and in such places as the Governor’s Mansion, Liberty Hall, Capital City Club, John Edwards’s house, the Coats Museum and in many houses in our area?