December 24, 2020 Coats Museum News
Tomorrow is Christmas 2020.How many of you have fond memories of Christmases past? Did you have a tree that was cut from the top of a tall cedar hidden beneath the pine, oak and hickory trees in the woods? Did your parents fill a sock hung from the fireplace or did they fill a shoebox with all kinds of Christmas goodies such as multicolored and flavored hard rock candy, pink, yellow and white coconut balls, chocolate drops filled with a creamy white filling. Were there pecans, English walnuts and Brazil nuts mixed amongst the candy and citrus fruit? Were there seeded raisins? Did you decorate the front door with colored foil paper? Did you eat that special ham that had been saved from a hog killing where neighbors laughed and socialized as they braved the cold to preserve meat for the year? Did your parents pray for a pretty day on Christmas so the kids could go outside and play with the new skates, bicycles and wagons and other Christmas blessings.
Tomorrow is that special day of all days; however, the Coats Museum News is revisiting what was happening in May of 1986. Just as death has taken so many of our loved ones this year, death was very present in May of 1986. Danny and Elaine Dixon Thomas lost their infant daughter. Elaine was a former Coats girl and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Dixon (Daily Record May 22, 1986). Elaine was an honor graduate of Campbell University and Danny and she worked with the Harnett County School system.
News was shared that Sabra DeAnne Stewart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Grayden (G.V.) Stewart, was engaged to Jimmy Pierce of Dunn.
An installation service was held at Antioch Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church for Rev. Ralph O. Byrd, a 22- year former pastor. Rev. Byrd was named the Associate Pastor of Older Adult Ministries at the church (Daily Record May 23, 1986).
Mr. and Mrs. David Barbour, III, of Route One, Coats, announced the birth of their daughter, Allison Faith Barbour. The mother was the former, Amy Parrish, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Shelton M. Parrish of Route 3, Benson.
The Coats Middle School softball team compiled the best regular-season record in Harnett County with a 10-3 mark. Team staff was Manager Jeff Plummer, Assistant Manager Kevin Denton, Statistician Angel Hedgepeth, Coach Teresa Honeycutt and Assistant Coach Vonda Ferrell. Members of the team were Amanda Turlington, Teresa Ryals, Jane Tyndall, Wendy Williams, Charlotte Moore, Lynn Williams, Christine Clearman, Cindy Norris, Renee Stancil, Nicole Lucas, Nickie Johnson, Kim Norris, Jennifer Phillips and Ann Bass. How many of these folks continue to live in the Coats area?
Rains had finally come and ended the drought making the farmers have to hurry to get the last of their tobacco plants into the ground. Charles Ogburn was one of those and was shown in the picture pulling a four-row planter behind his tractor. The laborers on the tobacco setter were Steve Jernigan, Ann McNeal, Shelia Burnette and Ramona Shaw (Daily Record May 28, 1986).
Willie McKinnie, 57, a retired employee of the NC Department of Corrections from Coats had died. He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Martha Sox McKinnie. Mrs. Gail Weathers, George Howell McKinnie and Brandon McKinnie were siblings (Daily Record June 11, 1986).
TALO had received a $15,000 grant from A. Smith Reynolds Foundation. The grant came from a fund established in 1936, as a memorial to the youngest son of the founder of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. TALO was a program designed to help newly released prisoners find jobs and become adjusted to life outside prison. Frank Watson, a former prisoner himself, was one of the founders of the organization.
Cathy C. Johnson, a Coats native, was one of the 4,103 graduates of NCSU. Cathy had earned a BA degree in Business Management and Economics. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Johnson, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. B.W. Holland of Coats announced the birth of their daughter, Ashley Carol Holland. The baby’s mother was the former Lisa Capps. The paternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Jack Wood of Coats (Daily Record June 18, 1986).
Mr. and Mrs. Shelton Barefoot of Route 2, Dunn, announced the engagement of their daughter, Shelley Lanette Barefoot, to Timothy Wayne Lee. The groom was a Coats High School graduate and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Ray Lee (Daily Record June 18, 1986).
The 28 members of the Coats Lions Club were planning a “Shrimp Feast” to raise funds by charging $4.00 per plate. The profits were to benefit the blind and sight impaired and the upkeep of the Lion’s Park where many youngsters enjoy athletics activities.
Mr. and Mrs. Layton Godwin’s son left the Coats area many years ago. After serving in the Air Force from 1963-67, he settled in Missouri, where he met his wife, Sharon. Mr. Godwin made his career with the Hallmark Company for 19 years. It must have been exciting to have Richard return home for a visit (Daily Record June 19, 1986).
Many times when past businessmen in Coats are mentioned, Otis Coats is a name that so many remember as operating a store on Main Street. Wade and Sherrill Coats are Otis’s sons. Just as the two brothers impacted life in the town of Coats, Wade’s daughter, Dana Byrd, has touched the lives of so many through her faith and giving heart. Dana’s great-great granddaddy was Preacher Thomas Coats. He gave the Gift Primitive Baptist Church, land for the Cape Fear –Northern Railroad depot and land for the Coats Cemetery. Giving must be in the genes because Dana -time and time again- gives to the Coats Museum. Thank you, Dana, for your latest donation to honor volunteers at the Coats Museum who are so appreciative of your financial support of the museum.
H.L. and I are delighted to honor and remember several folks who have made s difference in our lives and the life of the Coats Museum. We have remembered Alice and Jonah C. Johnson, Sr., and have honored weekly volunteer workers-Patsy and Stacy Avery, Robie and Lynda Butler, Peggy Robinson, Kathy Weeks and Becky Adams.
Just as many of you have also lost friends and relatives to the Covid-19 virus this year, H.L. and I were so saddened by the death of Sherwood and Doris Pope. The couple’s deaths leave a void in our lives. We have given a memorial to the Coats Museum for the memories we shared with them.
The Coats Museum Board of Directors and volunteers wish to thank all those who have visited and supported the Coats Museum in 2020 and we wish for each of you a safe and joyful Christmas tomorrow.
Tomorrow is Christmas 2020.How many of you have fond memories of Christmases past? Did you have a tree that was cut from the top of a tall cedar hidden beneath the pine, oak and hickory trees in the woods? Did your parents fill a sock hung from the fireplace or did they fill a shoebox with all kinds of Christmas goodies such as multicolored and flavored hard rock candy, pink, yellow and white coconut balls, chocolate drops filled with a creamy white filling. Were there pecans, English walnuts and Brazil nuts mixed amongst the candy and citrus fruit? Were there seeded raisins? Did you decorate the front door with colored foil paper? Did you eat that special ham that had been saved from a hog killing where neighbors laughed and socialized as they braved the cold to preserve meat for the year? Did your parents pray for a pretty day on Christmas so the kids could go outside and play with the new skates, bicycles and wagons and other Christmas blessings.
Tomorrow is that special day of all days; however, the Coats Museum News is revisiting what was happening in May of 1986. Just as death has taken so many of our loved ones this year, death was very present in May of 1986. Danny and Elaine Dixon Thomas lost their infant daughter. Elaine was a former Coats girl and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Dixon (Daily Record May 22, 1986). Elaine was an honor graduate of Campbell University and Danny and she worked with the Harnett County School system.
News was shared that Sabra DeAnne Stewart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Grayden (G.V.) Stewart, was engaged to Jimmy Pierce of Dunn.
An installation service was held at Antioch Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church for Rev. Ralph O. Byrd, a 22- year former pastor. Rev. Byrd was named the Associate Pastor of Older Adult Ministries at the church (Daily Record May 23, 1986).
Mr. and Mrs. David Barbour, III, of Route One, Coats, announced the birth of their daughter, Allison Faith Barbour. The mother was the former, Amy Parrish, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Shelton M. Parrish of Route 3, Benson.
The Coats Middle School softball team compiled the best regular-season record in Harnett County with a 10-3 mark. Team staff was Manager Jeff Plummer, Assistant Manager Kevin Denton, Statistician Angel Hedgepeth, Coach Teresa Honeycutt and Assistant Coach Vonda Ferrell. Members of the team were Amanda Turlington, Teresa Ryals, Jane Tyndall, Wendy Williams, Charlotte Moore, Lynn Williams, Christine Clearman, Cindy Norris, Renee Stancil, Nicole Lucas, Nickie Johnson, Kim Norris, Jennifer Phillips and Ann Bass. How many of these folks continue to live in the Coats area?
Rains had finally come and ended the drought making the farmers have to hurry to get the last of their tobacco plants into the ground. Charles Ogburn was one of those and was shown in the picture pulling a four-row planter behind his tractor. The laborers on the tobacco setter were Steve Jernigan, Ann McNeal, Shelia Burnette and Ramona Shaw (Daily Record May 28, 1986).
Willie McKinnie, 57, a retired employee of the NC Department of Corrections from Coats had died. He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Martha Sox McKinnie. Mrs. Gail Weathers, George Howell McKinnie and Brandon McKinnie were siblings (Daily Record June 11, 1986).
TALO had received a $15,000 grant from A. Smith Reynolds Foundation. The grant came from a fund established in 1936, as a memorial to the youngest son of the founder of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. TALO was a program designed to help newly released prisoners find jobs and become adjusted to life outside prison. Frank Watson, a former prisoner himself, was one of the founders of the organization.
Cathy C. Johnson, a Coats native, was one of the 4,103 graduates of NCSU. Cathy had earned a BA degree in Business Management and Economics. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Johnson, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. B.W. Holland of Coats announced the birth of their daughter, Ashley Carol Holland. The baby’s mother was the former Lisa Capps. The paternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Jack Wood of Coats (Daily Record June 18, 1986).
Mr. and Mrs. Shelton Barefoot of Route 2, Dunn, announced the engagement of their daughter, Shelley Lanette Barefoot, to Timothy Wayne Lee. The groom was a Coats High School graduate and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Ray Lee (Daily Record June 18, 1986).
The 28 members of the Coats Lions Club were planning a “Shrimp Feast” to raise funds by charging $4.00 per plate. The profits were to benefit the blind and sight impaired and the upkeep of the Lion’s Park where many youngsters enjoy athletics activities.
Mr. and Mrs. Layton Godwin’s son left the Coats area many years ago. After serving in the Air Force from 1963-67, he settled in Missouri, where he met his wife, Sharon. Mr. Godwin made his career with the Hallmark Company for 19 years. It must have been exciting to have Richard return home for a visit (Daily Record June 19, 1986).
Many times when past businessmen in Coats are mentioned, Otis Coats is a name that so many remember as operating a store on Main Street. Wade and Sherrill Coats are Otis’s sons. Just as the two brothers impacted life in the town of Coats, Wade’s daughter, Dana Byrd, has touched the lives of so many through her faith and giving heart. Dana’s great-great granddaddy was Preacher Thomas Coats. He gave the Gift Primitive Baptist Church, land for the Cape Fear –Northern Railroad depot and land for the Coats Cemetery. Giving must be in the genes because Dana -time and time again- gives to the Coats Museum. Thank you, Dana, for your latest donation to honor volunteers at the Coats Museum who are so appreciative of your financial support of the museum.
H.L. and I are delighted to honor and remember several folks who have made s difference in our lives and the life of the Coats Museum. We have remembered Alice and Jonah C. Johnson, Sr., and have honored weekly volunteer workers-Patsy and Stacy Avery, Robie and Lynda Butler, Peggy Robinson, Kathy Weeks and Becky Adams.
Just as many of you have also lost friends and relatives to the Covid-19 virus this year, H.L. and I were so saddened by the death of Sherwood and Doris Pope. The couple’s deaths leave a void in our lives. We have given a memorial to the Coats Museum for the memories we shared with them.
The Coats Museum Board of Directors and volunteers wish to thank all those who have visited and supported the Coats Museum in 2020 and we wish for each of you a safe and joyful Christmas tomorrow.