December 22, 2017 Coats Museum News
The year was 1967 and many words and phrases were used over and over throughout the country. “Long hot summer”, a phrase depicting a stunning period of urban anger and violence, was one. “Love beads” were worn and sometimes atop Nehru jackets. “Microwave” was a term that became more widely heard when Amana introduced the first home microwave oven. Due to dissatisfaction with America’s military involvement in Vietnam, “draft-card burning” became a ritual of protest and anger (Dickson, Paul-From Elvis to E-Mail, Springfield, Massachusetts: Merriam-Webster, 1999, pp.160-61).
Last week you read the names of the students who had graduated from Coats High School in 1967. As you are reintroduced to those graduates, think about where they are in 2017. For now, let’s read to see how they were recognized for various honors at the graduation ceremony.
The graduation ceremony had Jeff Stewart, president of the student council, as the speaker. Darlene Stevens gave the Salutatorian address and Angela Stephenson followed with the Valedictory speech. Ann Johnson sang the class song. Special awards were given. Robert Pleasant carried home the Baseball and Best- All- Around Boy honors. Commercial and Best- All- Around Girl went to Joy Bowden. The English, Salutatorian and Citizenship went to Darlene Stevens. Boys Sportsmanship and Basketball were Jeff Stewart’s to take home. The Girls Sportsmanship went to Kathi Stephenson and the Basketball Award went to Christine Stewart. Kenneth Hayes received the Football Award. Angela Stephenson was recognized for being the Valedictorian and achievements in French and Mathematics. The Home Economics Award went to Nancy Cummings and Linda Stephenson was given the Service Award. Charlotte Ennis and Betty Jean Stevens were winners of the Library Award. Greg Beard was the recipient of the History and Science Awards. Dan Honeycutt was recognized for the Agriculture Award; Band Award went to Larry Barefoot while the Bus Driver Awards went to Linda Stephenson, Hazel Gregory, Ronnie Byrd, Andy Joyner, Marie Wilkins and Jackie Grimes (Daily Record June 2, 1967).
Do you know which of those graduates became a bank president; which became Superintendent of Harnett County Schools; which was an insurance executive and how many became outstanding educators? The questions could go on and on. I do know that Gale Walden was the first black female to graduate from Coats High School in the Class of 1967 and that Gale later became the first black Coats town commissioner.
Who recognizes the name J.B. Ennis? You would have to know Harnett County history of county government to know that he was an early chairman of the Harnett County Board of Commissioners and a very popular one at that. Mr. Ennis died while serving the county in that position and over 1,000 people attended his services. Many of you who attended Harnett Central High School will definitely remember Sarah Ellen Ennis Flowers. Sarah was granddaughter of J.B. Ennis and in 1967, Sarah and Conrey Flowers had mailed their wedding invitations to their June wedding at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church at Bailey’s Crossroads (Daily Record May 25, 1967).
Here’s another familiar name for Coats folks and likely to many in the Lillington area. Bland Fleming, son of the beloved Dr. Fleming and husband of Joy Dan Clayton Fleming, was one of 12 persons to be graduated from the Institute of Government Juvenile Probation Service Course in Chapel Hill (Daily Record May 30, 1967).
Here are some trivia questions for those of you who like such. Do you know who was instrumental in the creation of the Institute of Government in Chapel Hill mentioned above? Does the name Albert Coates sound familiar? We have many folks come to research Coats (Coates), Johnson (Johnston), Ennis (Innis), McCoy (McKoy) families. A question often asked is “Why does one family member spell the name one way and the other sibling spells it another way”? Could the census taker have been weak in spelling?
Albert Coates grew up in the Pleasant Grove Township of western Johnston County and went on to Harvard Law School. How Albert Coates spelled his name is an example of name variations in the same family. I do know that Albert Coates’ father, Daniel Miller Coats (with no “e”), was brother to Unity Coats who married Henry H. Penny. Henry’s mother had married William Henry Coats, Jr. (no “e”) after her first husband Harry Penny had died. Her second marriage produced twin sons –James Thomas and William Benjamin Coats (no “e”). Note that siblings Unity and Daniel Miller Coats spelled their name the same and the descendents of Unity spelled their name with no “e” and the descendents of Daniel Miller Coats spelled their name with an “e.” Wonder if Daniel Miller Coats ever knew that his son Albert spelled his name with an “e”?
I hope you found that somewhat confusing but after reading it more than once, you can see why it is both challenging but rewarding to work with visitors seeking family genealogies at the museum.
Campbell had several former Coats High graduates on their 1967 graduate list and they were Frankie L. Harmon, Kenneth McLamb and Ralph Denning. Another graduate was Carolyn Broadwell who would touch so many lives of young students at Coats School. Did you see those graduates’ faces in your mind’s eye?
The grand reaper came through Coats and took Mr. Eugene L. Morgan, 61, of Coats on Monday. He was buried in the Williams Cemetery. He was buried in the Williams Cemetery and was survived by his wife, Mary Novie Morgan (Daily Record June 7, 1967). Do you know where the Williams Cemetery is and have you noticed the large number of individuals buried there? Is the cemetery restricted to the Williams family only?
Army Specialist Five Owen S. Stephenson, 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Stephenson, was assigned to the 91st Evacuation Hospital near Tuy Hoa, Vietnam (Daily Record June 14, 1967).
The HCBOC and the HCBOE had met at a joint meeting to call for a referendum in October on the issuance of 5 million dollars in bonds to erect three consolidated high schools in Harnett County (Daily Record 27, 1967).
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Turner Turlington of Coats had announced the birth of a daughter, JeVonne LaRue Turlington, at BJMH. The mother was the former Betty LaRue Parrish (Daily Record June 23, 1967).
A second couple also shared the news of a new birth into their family. Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Ray Barbour of Route 3, Dunn, announced the birth of a daughter at GHH. Mrs. Barbour was the former Ethel Dorman (Daily Record July 12, 1967).
Who remembers Mr. David Creech who taught ag classes at Coats High? He and his wife, the former Marveene Coats, had announced the birth of a daughter at GHH (Daily Record, July 20, 1967).
Births continued to make the news in the Coats area. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Pate were parents of a daughter. Bonnie Moore was the maiden name of the mother. Another announcement was made by a popular Coats couple. Mr. Max and Dorothy (Maynard) Matthews announced the birth of a daughter (Daily Record July 28, 1967).
The Daily Record (Aug. 1, 1967) announced that Marjorie Anne Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Johnson of Route 2, Angier, was to marry Jimmy Watson O’Neal, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cray O’Neal. The wedding was to be on August 12 at Pleasant Memory Church. Ann was an elementary education major in the junior class of Campbell; likewise, Jimmy was also an elementary major in the senior class at CU.
One of the most influential men in Coats had died. Funeral services were held at the Coats Baptist Church for James B. Williams, 75, former mayor of Coats. According to the article he had held the leadership for 16 years-longer than any former mayor. (Records show that he served from 1938-1949. He might have served in 1937 but no local documents could be found to verify he served then). Mr. Williams had had a lingering illness. He was survived by Mrs. Nancy Stewart Williams and a foster daughter, Patsy Smith Pappaport. Mr. Williams was a WWI veteran and had served as chairman of the county draft board and rationing board (Daily Record Aug. 7, 1967). I bet more of you remember his wife better than Mr. J.B. How many of you had Mrs. Nan Williams as your teacher in the lower grades? I bet you did not know that she was one of the first three students to graduate from Coats High School in 1925.
Thanks to the folks who are honoring or remembering their loved ones during the Christmas season by giving to the Coats Museum Endowment. Jonah and Alice Johnson, Kress and Nell Williams, Robie and Lynda Butler and Becky Adams and Gayle Sorrell are on the latest list. How fortunate the folks of the Coats area are to have individuals who want to secure the future of our Coats Museum.
It is hard to believe that the Coats Museum News has been a part of the Daily Record since 2009. Many of you have followed it from column one and have read about the history of Grove Townships, Troyville, Turlington, Barclaysville and much about Coats’ surrounding areas. Don’t forget that many of these columns are on the Coats Museum website –coatsmuseum.com. for you to revisit.
The Coats Museum Board and volunteers at the museum would like to wish each of you a Christmas season filled with joy and happiness and invite each of you to stay tuned to the column to read about the wonderful events the Coats Museum has planned for 2018.The museum will be closed on December 24th and on December 31st so the volunteers can enjoy the time with family and friends-Merry Christmas to our faithful readers!
The year was 1967 and many words and phrases were used over and over throughout the country. “Long hot summer”, a phrase depicting a stunning period of urban anger and violence, was one. “Love beads” were worn and sometimes atop Nehru jackets. “Microwave” was a term that became more widely heard when Amana introduced the first home microwave oven. Due to dissatisfaction with America’s military involvement in Vietnam, “draft-card burning” became a ritual of protest and anger (Dickson, Paul-From Elvis to E-Mail, Springfield, Massachusetts: Merriam-Webster, 1999, pp.160-61).
Last week you read the names of the students who had graduated from Coats High School in 1967. As you are reintroduced to those graduates, think about where they are in 2017. For now, let’s read to see how they were recognized for various honors at the graduation ceremony.
The graduation ceremony had Jeff Stewart, president of the student council, as the speaker. Darlene Stevens gave the Salutatorian address and Angela Stephenson followed with the Valedictory speech. Ann Johnson sang the class song. Special awards were given. Robert Pleasant carried home the Baseball and Best- All- Around Boy honors. Commercial and Best- All- Around Girl went to Joy Bowden. The English, Salutatorian and Citizenship went to Darlene Stevens. Boys Sportsmanship and Basketball were Jeff Stewart’s to take home. The Girls Sportsmanship went to Kathi Stephenson and the Basketball Award went to Christine Stewart. Kenneth Hayes received the Football Award. Angela Stephenson was recognized for being the Valedictorian and achievements in French and Mathematics. The Home Economics Award went to Nancy Cummings and Linda Stephenson was given the Service Award. Charlotte Ennis and Betty Jean Stevens were winners of the Library Award. Greg Beard was the recipient of the History and Science Awards. Dan Honeycutt was recognized for the Agriculture Award; Band Award went to Larry Barefoot while the Bus Driver Awards went to Linda Stephenson, Hazel Gregory, Ronnie Byrd, Andy Joyner, Marie Wilkins and Jackie Grimes (Daily Record June 2, 1967).
Do you know which of those graduates became a bank president; which became Superintendent of Harnett County Schools; which was an insurance executive and how many became outstanding educators? The questions could go on and on. I do know that Gale Walden was the first black female to graduate from Coats High School in the Class of 1967 and that Gale later became the first black Coats town commissioner.
Who recognizes the name J.B. Ennis? You would have to know Harnett County history of county government to know that he was an early chairman of the Harnett County Board of Commissioners and a very popular one at that. Mr. Ennis died while serving the county in that position and over 1,000 people attended his services. Many of you who attended Harnett Central High School will definitely remember Sarah Ellen Ennis Flowers. Sarah was granddaughter of J.B. Ennis and in 1967, Sarah and Conrey Flowers had mailed their wedding invitations to their June wedding at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church at Bailey’s Crossroads (Daily Record May 25, 1967).
Here’s another familiar name for Coats folks and likely to many in the Lillington area. Bland Fleming, son of the beloved Dr. Fleming and husband of Joy Dan Clayton Fleming, was one of 12 persons to be graduated from the Institute of Government Juvenile Probation Service Course in Chapel Hill (Daily Record May 30, 1967).
Here are some trivia questions for those of you who like such. Do you know who was instrumental in the creation of the Institute of Government in Chapel Hill mentioned above? Does the name Albert Coates sound familiar? We have many folks come to research Coats (Coates), Johnson (Johnston), Ennis (Innis), McCoy (McKoy) families. A question often asked is “Why does one family member spell the name one way and the other sibling spells it another way”? Could the census taker have been weak in spelling?
Albert Coates grew up in the Pleasant Grove Township of western Johnston County and went on to Harvard Law School. How Albert Coates spelled his name is an example of name variations in the same family. I do know that Albert Coates’ father, Daniel Miller Coats (with no “e”), was brother to Unity Coats who married Henry H. Penny. Henry’s mother had married William Henry Coats, Jr. (no “e”) after her first husband Harry Penny had died. Her second marriage produced twin sons –James Thomas and William Benjamin Coats (no “e”). Note that siblings Unity and Daniel Miller Coats spelled their name the same and the descendents of Unity spelled their name with no “e” and the descendents of Daniel Miller Coats spelled their name with an “e.” Wonder if Daniel Miller Coats ever knew that his son Albert spelled his name with an “e”?
I hope you found that somewhat confusing but after reading it more than once, you can see why it is both challenging but rewarding to work with visitors seeking family genealogies at the museum.
Campbell had several former Coats High graduates on their 1967 graduate list and they were Frankie L. Harmon, Kenneth McLamb and Ralph Denning. Another graduate was Carolyn Broadwell who would touch so many lives of young students at Coats School. Did you see those graduates’ faces in your mind’s eye?
The grand reaper came through Coats and took Mr. Eugene L. Morgan, 61, of Coats on Monday. He was buried in the Williams Cemetery. He was buried in the Williams Cemetery and was survived by his wife, Mary Novie Morgan (Daily Record June 7, 1967). Do you know where the Williams Cemetery is and have you noticed the large number of individuals buried there? Is the cemetery restricted to the Williams family only?
Army Specialist Five Owen S. Stephenson, 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Stephenson, was assigned to the 91st Evacuation Hospital near Tuy Hoa, Vietnam (Daily Record June 14, 1967).
The HCBOC and the HCBOE had met at a joint meeting to call for a referendum in October on the issuance of 5 million dollars in bonds to erect three consolidated high schools in Harnett County (Daily Record 27, 1967).
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Turner Turlington of Coats had announced the birth of a daughter, JeVonne LaRue Turlington, at BJMH. The mother was the former Betty LaRue Parrish (Daily Record June 23, 1967).
A second couple also shared the news of a new birth into their family. Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Ray Barbour of Route 3, Dunn, announced the birth of a daughter at GHH. Mrs. Barbour was the former Ethel Dorman (Daily Record July 12, 1967).
Who remembers Mr. David Creech who taught ag classes at Coats High? He and his wife, the former Marveene Coats, had announced the birth of a daughter at GHH (Daily Record, July 20, 1967).
Births continued to make the news in the Coats area. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Pate were parents of a daughter. Bonnie Moore was the maiden name of the mother. Another announcement was made by a popular Coats couple. Mr. Max and Dorothy (Maynard) Matthews announced the birth of a daughter (Daily Record July 28, 1967).
The Daily Record (Aug. 1, 1967) announced that Marjorie Anne Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Johnson of Route 2, Angier, was to marry Jimmy Watson O’Neal, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cray O’Neal. The wedding was to be on August 12 at Pleasant Memory Church. Ann was an elementary education major in the junior class of Campbell; likewise, Jimmy was also an elementary major in the senior class at CU.
One of the most influential men in Coats had died. Funeral services were held at the Coats Baptist Church for James B. Williams, 75, former mayor of Coats. According to the article he had held the leadership for 16 years-longer than any former mayor. (Records show that he served from 1938-1949. He might have served in 1937 but no local documents could be found to verify he served then). Mr. Williams had had a lingering illness. He was survived by Mrs. Nancy Stewart Williams and a foster daughter, Patsy Smith Pappaport. Mr. Williams was a WWI veteran and had served as chairman of the county draft board and rationing board (Daily Record Aug. 7, 1967). I bet more of you remember his wife better than Mr. J.B. How many of you had Mrs. Nan Williams as your teacher in the lower grades? I bet you did not know that she was one of the first three students to graduate from Coats High School in 1925.
Thanks to the folks who are honoring or remembering their loved ones during the Christmas season by giving to the Coats Museum Endowment. Jonah and Alice Johnson, Kress and Nell Williams, Robie and Lynda Butler and Becky Adams and Gayle Sorrell are on the latest list. How fortunate the folks of the Coats area are to have individuals who want to secure the future of our Coats Museum.
It is hard to believe that the Coats Museum News has been a part of the Daily Record since 2009. Many of you have followed it from column one and have read about the history of Grove Townships, Troyville, Turlington, Barclaysville and much about Coats’ surrounding areas. Don’t forget that many of these columns are on the Coats Museum website –coatsmuseum.com. for you to revisit.
The Coats Museum Board and volunteers at the museum would like to wish each of you a Christmas season filled with joy and happiness and invite each of you to stay tuned to the column to read about the wonderful events the Coats Museum has planned for 2018.The museum will be closed on December 24th and on December 31st so the volunteers can enjoy the time with family and friends-Merry Christmas to our faithful readers!