December 27, 2019 Coats Museum News
The winner of the N.C. Miss Charm Pageant had not been announced yet because the Daily Record July 24, 1981 edition shared that another Coats young lady was a contestant at Meredith College. Miss Donna Dare Ennis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Ennis of Coats, was selected to represent Harnett County in the 1981 Miss N.C. Charm Pageant.
On the political scene in Coats, Floyd Turlington filed for mayor of Coats (Daily Record July, 18, 1981).
Have you noticed that many new houses have solar panels on the roofs? Do you recall the first time you saw such on a house? Has the White House ever had solar panels? I do know that Nelson Currin had built a passive solar house in Coats. It was a FHA house with proper roof and overhang and placement of solar efficient on the south side to allow substantial energy savings (Daily Record Aug. 10, 1981). Does anyone know where this house was located?
The father of two of my former students at the Coats High School had died. Mr. Reuben O. Coats, 70, of Route One, Coats, had died on Wednesday at BJMH following declining health. He was a native of Johnston County and the son of Thomas Daniel Coats and Sarah Coats. The retired farmer’s services were held at the St. Mary’s Grove FWB Church. Burial was in the Coats City Cemetery. His survivors were his children-Jerry and Larry Coats and Mrs. Victor McLeod, Miss Patsy Coats, Mrs. Wesley Pleasant, Miss Jo Anne Coats, Mrs. William Nash, and Mrs. Nathan Pope. George E. Coats, Mrs. Percy Adams, Mrs. M.E. Ferrell, Mrs. Grant Johnson, and Mrs. Erline Wheeler were siblings (Daily Record Aug. 13, 1981).
After years of teaching, many of us teachers can continue to recall little details about former students and parents. I distinctly remember the beautiful penmanship of Mr. Coats as he signed, R.O. Coats, on JoAnne and Patsy worked that required a parent to signify that the parent had reviewed his child’s work. Interestingly, his grandson Keith McLeod also turned in work with beautiful penmanship. That was a few years before computers were found in our schools and homes.
Death came to Mr. Elbert Gregory, 62, of Erwin. Mr. Gregory had several sisters in Coats but unknown to this writer (Daily Record Aug. 13, 1981).
One of the Coats beauty queens was headed to the state pageant. Miss Cheri Grimes, Miss Coats Jr. Order, was representing the Coats Jr. Order group (Daily Record Aug. 14, 1981).
The commission seats held by J.C. Allen, John R. Wiggins, and the vacant seat of Windell Dorman were up for election. The mayor’s seat was also to be voted upon by the town residents (Daily Record Aug. 18, 1981).
Mrs. Hilda Pollard of Route 1, Coats, lost her stepfather, Mr. Marvin Matthews, 73, of Route 2, Angier. He had been ill for a while (Daily Record Aug. 19, 1981). Don’t you love the expressions that we well understand? We completely know what is meant when we say that an individual lost a relative but my South Dakota son-in-law would not.
However, the meaning of love is universal. Mrs. Dorothy Stewart Norris announced the engagement of her daughter, Debbie Ann Norris, to Richard Jackson. The bride-elect was the daughter of Travis Norris of Coats (Daily Record Aug. 17, 1981).
For years, the Daily Record readers eagerly awaited to read Mr. Hoover Adams‘s column –“Little Things” which contain little tidbits about county personalities and their adventures. It was like we learned enough about many of these people that we almost felt that they were friends or family.
For those who do not remember the column, the following is the type of information that was included in his column. Mr. and Mrs. Dallas Matthews had returned home on Route 1, Coats, after a visit with their daughter and son-in-law, Tom Mooresfield in Fort Wayne, Indiana (Daily Record Aug. 21, 1981). If he personally knew the Matthews family he would likely have shared that their home on Old Fairground Road was a place to see during the Christmas season as the reflection of their house and decorations on the big pond out front was a showstopper.
Another death touched a Coats family. Harold Leon Pope, 55, of 704 North Orange Street, had died on Thursday. He was the son of Samuel and Annie Mae Williams Pope. He was a painter, was a deacon in the Lee’s Grove Freewill Baptist Church. Survivors were his wife Lavina Dorman Pope and son, Terry Pope. Leon’s siblings were Charles, Aaron, Sherwood, Sammy, Johnny, Mrs. Alene Lewis, Mrs. Doris Martin, and Mrs. Barbara Gardner (Daily Record Aug. 21, 1981). I bet you recognize many of those survivors.
How many of you remember when cash could be had if your Coco Cola cap had winning numbers? Mrs. Charles R. Ennis of Route 1, Coats, was the lucky winner of $3,000 in the Coca Cola Cash Cap Contest. She combined a $1,000 with a triple value cap. She was presented the check from Robert Weaver, a Coca Cola Representative (Daily Record Aug. 24, 1981).
Mr. and Mrs. Grayden Stewart announced the engagement o their daughter, Deborah Ruth Stewart, to Devaul Dess Langdon. Mr. and Mrs. Devaul Langdon of Angier, Route 2, were parents of the groom-to be (Daily Record Aug. 25, 1981). That marriage would connect two of the oldest families of the Grove area.
Ashley Keith Stewart celebrated his second birthday at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Keith Stewart of near Benson. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Byrd and Mr. and Mrs. Rupert Stewart helped celebrate the happy event (Daily Record Aug. 31, 1981).
September marked the beginning of the football season and the Coats Yellow Jackets football team was gearing up for the new year. Michael Stephenson played center and Thomas Johnson was quarterback (Daily Record Aug. 31, 1981).
The Coats Town Board of Commissioners received two resignations. One came from Doug Stevens, recreation director and the other from Police Chief Ron Peters. Stevens had taken a teaching position and would remain part-time (Daily Record Sept.10, 1981).
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Ricky Coats announced the birth of Samantha Renee Coats on September 8, at BJMH (Daily Record Sept 11, 1981).
Tonya Shay O’Connell and Randy Michael Grimes were married (Daily Record Sept. 11, 1981).
Two more obituaries appeared in the paper in early September. Mrs. Pearl Norris Byrd, 72, of Route 1, Benson, died on Saturday. Her services were at Skinner-Drew Funeral Home Chapel and Devotional Garadens. Surviving Mrs. Byrd were Sherrill, Claude Byrd, Jr., and A.V. Byrd. Her four daughters were Mrs. Bessie Maude Smith, Mrs. Mildred Pollard, Mrs. Margaret A. Whitman and Mrs. Shirley Creswell (Daily Record Sept. 14, 1981). Does anyone know how many of these children were military veterans?
The second obituary was that of Mrs. Margaret Clayton Denning, 63, who had died on Tuesday at GHH in Erwin. Services were at Bethel PB Church where she was a member. She was the widow of Festus Denning. Surviving her were two sons-Lundy and Earl Denning. Her sisters were Mrs. Mary Etta Loyd and Mrs. Gladys Denning. Jim Clayton was her brother. Elders Silas Williams, Tommy Dupree and Gurney Nance officiated in the church and burial was in the church cemetery (Daily Record Sept. 15, 1981).
Three candidates had filed for offices on the town board- Godfrey Beasley filed for mayor- a position he held from 1963 -1971. Sherrill Coats also had filed for the mayor’s seat. Filing for a seat on the board was Tim McKinnie. Seats held by J.C. Allen and John Wiggins were up for the grabs and the seat left vacant when Wendell Dorman made three seats open (Daily Record Sept. 17, 1981).
Clenton J. Smith was hired as industrial official to hunt for industry for Harnett County. He came to Harnett County from Elizabethtown where he served as executive director of the Southeastern Economic Development Commission (Daily Record Sept. 17, 1981).
A movement honored a Coats native at the Henrico Doctors’ Hospital in Richard VA. A granite and brass monument was placed at the base of the of the hospital’s flagpole. The Executive Director of the hospital stated that the monument would be a continual reminder of the contribution made by Dr. William Cleveland Langdon, MD. He was a graduate of Coats High School in 1957, held undergraduate and medical degrees from UNC Chapel Hill and completed his residency at the Medical College of Virginia in 1969. He was a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow R. Langdon and his brothers were Ronald and Charles Langdon (Daily Record Sept. 23, 1981).
Last week a museum visitor asked when we were going to add on or build another museum. We shared that would be the task of the next generation. We are very thankful that items continue to find their way to the museum that are worthy of display for the education and enjoyment of our visitors. Thanks this week goes to Brenda Rhiner for adding to our collection.
Remember a few columns back when I ask if anyone could remember their bus drivers? I had a delightful conversation with Mrs. Ruth Norris Stewart Stephenson when I learned so much about her family members and her memories of growing up and helping Mack and Juanita Hudson barn tobacco. Ruth shared that her daughter Sue Stewart Johnson was a bus driver in 1981 and that I had omitted Sue’s name. I’m sure many of her little girl riders wanted to look like Sue when they grew up. Thank you, Ruth, for helping me revisit the local history accurately.
Many folks need to be thanked as this year comes to a close. Keith and Karen Ennis Parrish are unsung heroes for many in the Coats community. I have been told that it is not uncommon for Karen to visit shut-ins bearing meals and short visits. The volunteers are recipients of their Christmas goodies and we truly appreciate being remembered, Karen.
Do you know someone who always has a smile and laugh that brightens up a room? Dana Coats Byrd is someone I have known since she was born and Dana is such a person. We always love hearing her stories that she shares with a twinkle in her eyes and a chuckle in her voice. Thank you, Dana, for the birthday honorarium to the Coats Museum. Thank you to H.L. Sorrell for remembering Becky Adams and Lynda and Robie Butler with museum endowment Christmas gifts and to H.L. for giving endowment memorial gifts for Nell and Bill Williams and Alice and Jonah Johnson.
The winner of the N.C. Miss Charm Pageant had not been announced yet because the Daily Record July 24, 1981 edition shared that another Coats young lady was a contestant at Meredith College. Miss Donna Dare Ennis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Ennis of Coats, was selected to represent Harnett County in the 1981 Miss N.C. Charm Pageant.
On the political scene in Coats, Floyd Turlington filed for mayor of Coats (Daily Record July, 18, 1981).
Have you noticed that many new houses have solar panels on the roofs? Do you recall the first time you saw such on a house? Has the White House ever had solar panels? I do know that Nelson Currin had built a passive solar house in Coats. It was a FHA house with proper roof and overhang and placement of solar efficient on the south side to allow substantial energy savings (Daily Record Aug. 10, 1981). Does anyone know where this house was located?
The father of two of my former students at the Coats High School had died. Mr. Reuben O. Coats, 70, of Route One, Coats, had died on Wednesday at BJMH following declining health. He was a native of Johnston County and the son of Thomas Daniel Coats and Sarah Coats. The retired farmer’s services were held at the St. Mary’s Grove FWB Church. Burial was in the Coats City Cemetery. His survivors were his children-Jerry and Larry Coats and Mrs. Victor McLeod, Miss Patsy Coats, Mrs. Wesley Pleasant, Miss Jo Anne Coats, Mrs. William Nash, and Mrs. Nathan Pope. George E. Coats, Mrs. Percy Adams, Mrs. M.E. Ferrell, Mrs. Grant Johnson, and Mrs. Erline Wheeler were siblings (Daily Record Aug. 13, 1981).
After years of teaching, many of us teachers can continue to recall little details about former students and parents. I distinctly remember the beautiful penmanship of Mr. Coats as he signed, R.O. Coats, on JoAnne and Patsy worked that required a parent to signify that the parent had reviewed his child’s work. Interestingly, his grandson Keith McLeod also turned in work with beautiful penmanship. That was a few years before computers were found in our schools and homes.
Death came to Mr. Elbert Gregory, 62, of Erwin. Mr. Gregory had several sisters in Coats but unknown to this writer (Daily Record Aug. 13, 1981).
One of the Coats beauty queens was headed to the state pageant. Miss Cheri Grimes, Miss Coats Jr. Order, was representing the Coats Jr. Order group (Daily Record Aug. 14, 1981).
The commission seats held by J.C. Allen, John R. Wiggins, and the vacant seat of Windell Dorman were up for election. The mayor’s seat was also to be voted upon by the town residents (Daily Record Aug. 18, 1981).
Mrs. Hilda Pollard of Route 1, Coats, lost her stepfather, Mr. Marvin Matthews, 73, of Route 2, Angier. He had been ill for a while (Daily Record Aug. 19, 1981). Don’t you love the expressions that we well understand? We completely know what is meant when we say that an individual lost a relative but my South Dakota son-in-law would not.
However, the meaning of love is universal. Mrs. Dorothy Stewart Norris announced the engagement of her daughter, Debbie Ann Norris, to Richard Jackson. The bride-elect was the daughter of Travis Norris of Coats (Daily Record Aug. 17, 1981).
For years, the Daily Record readers eagerly awaited to read Mr. Hoover Adams‘s column –“Little Things” which contain little tidbits about county personalities and their adventures. It was like we learned enough about many of these people that we almost felt that they were friends or family.
For those who do not remember the column, the following is the type of information that was included in his column. Mr. and Mrs. Dallas Matthews had returned home on Route 1, Coats, after a visit with their daughter and son-in-law, Tom Mooresfield in Fort Wayne, Indiana (Daily Record Aug. 21, 1981). If he personally knew the Matthews family he would likely have shared that their home on Old Fairground Road was a place to see during the Christmas season as the reflection of their house and decorations on the big pond out front was a showstopper.
Another death touched a Coats family. Harold Leon Pope, 55, of 704 North Orange Street, had died on Thursday. He was the son of Samuel and Annie Mae Williams Pope. He was a painter, was a deacon in the Lee’s Grove Freewill Baptist Church. Survivors were his wife Lavina Dorman Pope and son, Terry Pope. Leon’s siblings were Charles, Aaron, Sherwood, Sammy, Johnny, Mrs. Alene Lewis, Mrs. Doris Martin, and Mrs. Barbara Gardner (Daily Record Aug. 21, 1981). I bet you recognize many of those survivors.
How many of you remember when cash could be had if your Coco Cola cap had winning numbers? Mrs. Charles R. Ennis of Route 1, Coats, was the lucky winner of $3,000 in the Coca Cola Cash Cap Contest. She combined a $1,000 with a triple value cap. She was presented the check from Robert Weaver, a Coca Cola Representative (Daily Record Aug. 24, 1981).
Mr. and Mrs. Grayden Stewart announced the engagement o their daughter, Deborah Ruth Stewart, to Devaul Dess Langdon. Mr. and Mrs. Devaul Langdon of Angier, Route 2, were parents of the groom-to be (Daily Record Aug. 25, 1981). That marriage would connect two of the oldest families of the Grove area.
Ashley Keith Stewart celebrated his second birthday at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Keith Stewart of near Benson. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Byrd and Mr. and Mrs. Rupert Stewart helped celebrate the happy event (Daily Record Aug. 31, 1981).
September marked the beginning of the football season and the Coats Yellow Jackets football team was gearing up for the new year. Michael Stephenson played center and Thomas Johnson was quarterback (Daily Record Aug. 31, 1981).
The Coats Town Board of Commissioners received two resignations. One came from Doug Stevens, recreation director and the other from Police Chief Ron Peters. Stevens had taken a teaching position and would remain part-time (Daily Record Sept.10, 1981).
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Ricky Coats announced the birth of Samantha Renee Coats on September 8, at BJMH (Daily Record Sept 11, 1981).
Tonya Shay O’Connell and Randy Michael Grimes were married (Daily Record Sept. 11, 1981).
Two more obituaries appeared in the paper in early September. Mrs. Pearl Norris Byrd, 72, of Route 1, Benson, died on Saturday. Her services were at Skinner-Drew Funeral Home Chapel and Devotional Garadens. Surviving Mrs. Byrd were Sherrill, Claude Byrd, Jr., and A.V. Byrd. Her four daughters were Mrs. Bessie Maude Smith, Mrs. Mildred Pollard, Mrs. Margaret A. Whitman and Mrs. Shirley Creswell (Daily Record Sept. 14, 1981). Does anyone know how many of these children were military veterans?
The second obituary was that of Mrs. Margaret Clayton Denning, 63, who had died on Tuesday at GHH in Erwin. Services were at Bethel PB Church where she was a member. She was the widow of Festus Denning. Surviving her were two sons-Lundy and Earl Denning. Her sisters were Mrs. Mary Etta Loyd and Mrs. Gladys Denning. Jim Clayton was her brother. Elders Silas Williams, Tommy Dupree and Gurney Nance officiated in the church and burial was in the church cemetery (Daily Record Sept. 15, 1981).
Three candidates had filed for offices on the town board- Godfrey Beasley filed for mayor- a position he held from 1963 -1971. Sherrill Coats also had filed for the mayor’s seat. Filing for a seat on the board was Tim McKinnie. Seats held by J.C. Allen and John Wiggins were up for the grabs and the seat left vacant when Wendell Dorman made three seats open (Daily Record Sept. 17, 1981).
Clenton J. Smith was hired as industrial official to hunt for industry for Harnett County. He came to Harnett County from Elizabethtown where he served as executive director of the Southeastern Economic Development Commission (Daily Record Sept. 17, 1981).
A movement honored a Coats native at the Henrico Doctors’ Hospital in Richard VA. A granite and brass monument was placed at the base of the of the hospital’s flagpole. The Executive Director of the hospital stated that the monument would be a continual reminder of the contribution made by Dr. William Cleveland Langdon, MD. He was a graduate of Coats High School in 1957, held undergraduate and medical degrees from UNC Chapel Hill and completed his residency at the Medical College of Virginia in 1969. He was a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow R. Langdon and his brothers were Ronald and Charles Langdon (Daily Record Sept. 23, 1981).
Last week a museum visitor asked when we were going to add on or build another museum. We shared that would be the task of the next generation. We are very thankful that items continue to find their way to the museum that are worthy of display for the education and enjoyment of our visitors. Thanks this week goes to Brenda Rhiner for adding to our collection.
Remember a few columns back when I ask if anyone could remember their bus drivers? I had a delightful conversation with Mrs. Ruth Norris Stewart Stephenson when I learned so much about her family members and her memories of growing up and helping Mack and Juanita Hudson barn tobacco. Ruth shared that her daughter Sue Stewart Johnson was a bus driver in 1981 and that I had omitted Sue’s name. I’m sure many of her little girl riders wanted to look like Sue when they grew up. Thank you, Ruth, for helping me revisit the local history accurately.
Many folks need to be thanked as this year comes to a close. Keith and Karen Ennis Parrish are unsung heroes for many in the Coats community. I have been told that it is not uncommon for Karen to visit shut-ins bearing meals and short visits. The volunteers are recipients of their Christmas goodies and we truly appreciate being remembered, Karen.
Do you know someone who always has a smile and laugh that brightens up a room? Dana Coats Byrd is someone I have known since she was born and Dana is such a person. We always love hearing her stories that she shares with a twinkle in her eyes and a chuckle in her voice. Thank you, Dana, for the birthday honorarium to the Coats Museum. Thank you to H.L. Sorrell for remembering Becky Adams and Lynda and Robie Butler with museum endowment Christmas gifts and to H.L. for giving endowment memorial gifts for Nell and Bill Williams and Alice and Jonah Johnson.