February 14, 2020 Coats Museum News
The year was 1982 and President Ronald Reagan occupied the White House. Reagan had declared an all-out attack on drugs and had created an agency, White House Office of Drug Abuse Policy, to oversee the war on drugs. The largest armed robbery in U.S. history had occurred in New York where the haul was $9,800,000. Exxon was shown to be the largest U.S. corporation with sales of $97, 172,532,000. By the end of the year, Tylenol killings in Chicago had resulted in 264,000 bottles of the drug being recalled. USA Today had made its debut in the Washington-Baltimore area. Congress approved a tax hike as the country had slid into a recession in August which bottomed out in November The poverty rate was 14 percent, the highest since 1967 ( Paul Dickson, From Elvis to E-Mail. Massachusetts: Federal Street Press, 1999, pp. 260-261).
The Coats High Class of 1962 also revisited the past as they celebrated their 20th year of graduation with its reunion at Chicora Country Club. Those attending were Brett Johnson, Marshall Danenburg, Lee Roy Williams, Bruce Lee, Carolyn Grimes Turlington, Carol Jones Gregory, Dottie Bowden Tyndall, Cheryl Dorman Whittington, Miriam Ennis Byrd, Sarah Ennis Flowers, Bessie McGee Whitman, Bill Weaver, Doug Johnson, Sue Jones Gregory, Joyce Norris Lucas, Jean Johnson Sumner, Barbara Whitman Messer, Smith Fowler, Gail Myatt Regan, Laura Johnson Hinson, Beverly Howard McLamb, Bickett Turlington, Jr., Glenwood Pollard, Frank Stancil, Sammy Pope, Larry Stephenson, Mike Joyner, Kent Langdon, Larry Ennis, Ronald Avery, Gerald Hayes, Ronald McLamb, Robert Taylor, and Ray Lewis (Daily Record July 9, 1982).
In Coats, Mrs. Doris Strickland had headed up the Leukemia Drive (Daily Record July 20, 1982).
How many farmers are there in the Coats area in 2020 as compared to 1982? I do know in 1982 that Bennie Grimes was a local tobacco farmer. The paper printed a picture of Bennie Grimes at the Tew’s Tobacco Warehouse in Dunn (Daily Record July 23, 1982). Wonder how much change Bennie can recall in tobacco growing and selling over the years. When farmers talked of turning the tag, what did that mean?
The sisters of the prospective groom honored August bride-elect Connie Matthews with a bridal shower. The hostesses were Pamela Parker, Ruth Williams and Brenda Jones, sisters of Trent Sorrell (Daily Record July 23, 1982).
“Smurf”, balloons, streamers of red, yellow and blue had decorated the patio of Don Stewart and Teresa Byrd Stewart as they celebrated the 3rd birthday of their son, Brad Stewart (Daily Record July 23, 1982). Wonder who else attended that party-Mary, Eugene, Brian, Juanita, Curtis?
This I do know. Sabra D. Stewart had received a Scott-Ellis Scholarship from Campbell University for $2,000. Sabra, a 1982 graduate of Coats High, was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Grayden Stewart (Daily Record July 29, 1982).
Death had visited the Betts family on Wednesday. Mr. Eugene Betts had died from a heart attack. His services were at the United Methodist Church in Coats and burial was in the Coats City Cemetery. Surviving him was a son, Curtis A. Betts, and two daughters-Mrs. Betty Petit and Mrs. Nancy Byrd. Jesse Honeycutt and Mrs. Linda Lee were stepchildren of the seventy-nine year old deceased man (Daily Record July 29, 1982). Did the paper omit a widow? I do know that he would be so proud of the accomplishments of his grandchildren. Do you know any of them?
Jennifer Elaine Hedgepeth ‘s engagement and approaching marriage to Danny Lowell Thomas was announced by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Dixon, Jr. Elaine had earned her undergraduate and master’s degree from Campbell University. Danny was a graduate of CCTC and worked with the Harnett County School‘s transportation system (Daily Record Aug. 5, 1982).
Coats police officers found marijuana plants growing within the city limits. The tall plants were pulled up and later burned. Police Chief Ken Parker and Officers Jesse Neighbors and Dan Ferrell destroyed the plants (Daily Record Aug. 6, 1982).
Elder William Elmon Turner, 92, of Wilson, had died on Sunday. He had pastored four Primitive Baptist Churches in the Wilson area for over forty years. Mrs. Nettie Turlington and Elder C.D. Turner of Dunn were his siblings (Daily Record Aug. 9, 1982). Wonder how many pastors there were in that Turner family?
Donald Sherwood Ogburn, 53, of Route One, Coats, had died on Monday of a heart attack. Two brothers-Hunter and James Ogburn and four sisters- Mrs. Juanita Hudson, Mrs. Margorie Scott, Mrs. Doris Taylor, and Mrs. Joyce Oliver survived him. Burial was in the Sunset Memorial Park in Smithfield (Daily Record Aug. 11, 1982).
Is there anyone who can locate the sites of the various water tanks that have been erected in Coats? Was there ever one on the Coats High School campus? Was there ever one in the area of the old Honeycutt Auto Sales business? For those who have been around longer than others, when were the two current ones erected and who paid for all the water tanks?
I do know in 1982 that a thorough examination of the nine year -old water tank was underway to determine specifications for needed repairs and painting of the structure. Engineers C.T. Clayton and Gerald Horton examined the 140,000 –gallon water tank (Daily Record Aug. 12, 1982). That information gives some clues on one of the tanks.
When you ride through towns do you ever observe water tanks? Have you noticed that some tanks have fancy painted logos while others have actual objects mounted on them---think about Wilson, N.C. Has a water tank ever collapsed and will we continue to need water tanks? Do we need them for trains today?
Good news came to the Lamm family of Coats. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Davis Lamm announced the birth of a son on August 3, 1982, at Rex Hospital. Mrs. Lamm was the former Bridget Barnes (Daily Record Aug. 12, 1982).
The Benson-Coats Cable TV connection was proposed to the Coats commissioners (Daily Record Aug.13, 1982).
The Tyndall Team had won the regular season championship for the second-half season in the Coats Men’s Softball League. The players on the championship team were Larry Messer, Randall McNeill, Jeff Knight, Lebert Holder, Mike West, Ray Johnson, Larry Allen, Jimmy Ennis, Danny Gardner, Ken Roberts, Phillip Matthews, Ronald Coats and Kimry Gardner (Daily Record Aug. 13, 1982).
The tournament champs were the IGA softball team. The players were Wayne Royal, Danny Stanley, Doug Tanner, Ken Howard, Robert Pleasant, Joe Ferrell, scorekeeper Michael Williams, Tim Penny, Tony Howard, Ronnie Stewart, Dan Honeycutt, Randy Pope, Kent Turlington, and Frank Turlington (Daily Record Aug. 13, 1982).
Another death announcement was posted in the paper. Mrs. Liddie B. Tart, 86, had died at Charles Parrish Nursing Home. William A. Tom Tart of Coats was her son (Daily Record Aug.13, 1982).
Glenda Lea Warren of Dunn and Harry Denton exchanged vows on August 20, 1982. Mr. Denton was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Carlyle Denton of Coats. Mrs. Merle Snead of Four Oaks and the late Zebe were parents of Glenda (Daily Record Aug. 17, 1982). Does anyone remember the beautiful voice of their stunning daughter Angela Warren?
It was another year and it marked the birthday of J.W. (Walt) Sorrell, Sr. who celebrated his 94th birthday at Hodges Chapel Church (Daily Record Aug. 23, 1982).
H.L. and I recently talked with J.W. Sorrell, Sr.’s son-Rev. Charles Sorrell, at a Sorrell funeral in Raleigh. Charles shared that only three children of “Walt’s were living-J.W. Sorrell, Jr., Margie Sorrell Raynor and, of course, Charles Sorrell. The elder Walt served during WWI and was one of the last surviving veterans of that war from Harnett County. Part of his story of serving in the WWI is recorded in our Heritage of Coats, NC and also in Defenders of the Red, White and Blue that the Coats Museum volunteers compiled and published last year. He was a remarkable man and lived the example of a God fearing Christian.
Another outstanding family from the Coats area is the Tart family. A new member was added to that family. Jonathan Tart was born to Billy and Joan Byrd Tart. Joan was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edison Byrd of the Angier area. The paternal grandparents of Jonathan were Mr. and Mrs. Fleishman Tart of Coats. Jennifer Ann Tart was another child of Billy and Joan’s (Daily Record Aug. 25, 1982).
When you hear family names, do you associate the name with someone you know who has that name? When I hear Tart, I naturally think of my sister-in-law Betty Ruth who is sister to Billy Tart and the late Bruce Tart. I think of Billy and Betty’s mom, Mrs. Pearl Tart, who was “sharp as a tack.” She never failed to come up to me in the IGA and share that she read the column and wanted to tell me additional information about some story or individual mentioned in a recent column.
I also think of Joe Tart who grew up in Coats and served as the Coats Museum’s attorney as we traveled the path to acquire land to establish and grow the museum. When viewers comment on Dr. William Thornton’s Challenger space suit on display in the museum exhibit hall, we always share that Joe is Dr. Thornton’s friend and attorney. Joe acquired the suit for display.
When I hear Tart, I also think of Charles Tart from the Fayetteville area who visited us frequently and found his way to our piano, requested the name of a song and then banged it out for the entire square to hear it. When we look through the Tart genealogy book, we see so many pages of Tart pictures and family history Charles shared with us. No longer will the voice on the other end of the phone be that of Charles Tart as he called to inquire if the Coats Museum was open that today.
I think of Jerry Tart who shared so much military materials with the museum. It was Jerry who shared with me the sad news that Charles Tart had recently died. How sad it is that such a friend of residents in nursing homes will no longer be able to enjoy his gift of music that Charles joyfully played for them.
Eagle scouts of Troop 779 don’t forget to share your Court of Honor information with Kevin Pope or Marc Powell so we can put together our May Boy Scout Event. The museum volunteers can take information on Thursdays from 9-3 or by calling 897-2525 for additional numbers.
The year was 1982 and President Ronald Reagan occupied the White House. Reagan had declared an all-out attack on drugs and had created an agency, White House Office of Drug Abuse Policy, to oversee the war on drugs. The largest armed robbery in U.S. history had occurred in New York where the haul was $9,800,000. Exxon was shown to be the largest U.S. corporation with sales of $97, 172,532,000. By the end of the year, Tylenol killings in Chicago had resulted in 264,000 bottles of the drug being recalled. USA Today had made its debut in the Washington-Baltimore area. Congress approved a tax hike as the country had slid into a recession in August which bottomed out in November The poverty rate was 14 percent, the highest since 1967 ( Paul Dickson, From Elvis to E-Mail. Massachusetts: Federal Street Press, 1999, pp. 260-261).
The Coats High Class of 1962 also revisited the past as they celebrated their 20th year of graduation with its reunion at Chicora Country Club. Those attending were Brett Johnson, Marshall Danenburg, Lee Roy Williams, Bruce Lee, Carolyn Grimes Turlington, Carol Jones Gregory, Dottie Bowden Tyndall, Cheryl Dorman Whittington, Miriam Ennis Byrd, Sarah Ennis Flowers, Bessie McGee Whitman, Bill Weaver, Doug Johnson, Sue Jones Gregory, Joyce Norris Lucas, Jean Johnson Sumner, Barbara Whitman Messer, Smith Fowler, Gail Myatt Regan, Laura Johnson Hinson, Beverly Howard McLamb, Bickett Turlington, Jr., Glenwood Pollard, Frank Stancil, Sammy Pope, Larry Stephenson, Mike Joyner, Kent Langdon, Larry Ennis, Ronald Avery, Gerald Hayes, Ronald McLamb, Robert Taylor, and Ray Lewis (Daily Record July 9, 1982).
In Coats, Mrs. Doris Strickland had headed up the Leukemia Drive (Daily Record July 20, 1982).
How many farmers are there in the Coats area in 2020 as compared to 1982? I do know in 1982 that Bennie Grimes was a local tobacco farmer. The paper printed a picture of Bennie Grimes at the Tew’s Tobacco Warehouse in Dunn (Daily Record July 23, 1982). Wonder how much change Bennie can recall in tobacco growing and selling over the years. When farmers talked of turning the tag, what did that mean?
The sisters of the prospective groom honored August bride-elect Connie Matthews with a bridal shower. The hostesses were Pamela Parker, Ruth Williams and Brenda Jones, sisters of Trent Sorrell (Daily Record July 23, 1982).
“Smurf”, balloons, streamers of red, yellow and blue had decorated the patio of Don Stewart and Teresa Byrd Stewart as they celebrated the 3rd birthday of their son, Brad Stewart (Daily Record July 23, 1982). Wonder who else attended that party-Mary, Eugene, Brian, Juanita, Curtis?
This I do know. Sabra D. Stewart had received a Scott-Ellis Scholarship from Campbell University for $2,000. Sabra, a 1982 graduate of Coats High, was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Grayden Stewart (Daily Record July 29, 1982).
Death had visited the Betts family on Wednesday. Mr. Eugene Betts had died from a heart attack. His services were at the United Methodist Church in Coats and burial was in the Coats City Cemetery. Surviving him was a son, Curtis A. Betts, and two daughters-Mrs. Betty Petit and Mrs. Nancy Byrd. Jesse Honeycutt and Mrs. Linda Lee were stepchildren of the seventy-nine year old deceased man (Daily Record July 29, 1982). Did the paper omit a widow? I do know that he would be so proud of the accomplishments of his grandchildren. Do you know any of them?
Jennifer Elaine Hedgepeth ‘s engagement and approaching marriage to Danny Lowell Thomas was announced by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Dixon, Jr. Elaine had earned her undergraduate and master’s degree from Campbell University. Danny was a graduate of CCTC and worked with the Harnett County School‘s transportation system (Daily Record Aug. 5, 1982).
Coats police officers found marijuana plants growing within the city limits. The tall plants were pulled up and later burned. Police Chief Ken Parker and Officers Jesse Neighbors and Dan Ferrell destroyed the plants (Daily Record Aug. 6, 1982).
Elder William Elmon Turner, 92, of Wilson, had died on Sunday. He had pastored four Primitive Baptist Churches in the Wilson area for over forty years. Mrs. Nettie Turlington and Elder C.D. Turner of Dunn were his siblings (Daily Record Aug. 9, 1982). Wonder how many pastors there were in that Turner family?
Donald Sherwood Ogburn, 53, of Route One, Coats, had died on Monday of a heart attack. Two brothers-Hunter and James Ogburn and four sisters- Mrs. Juanita Hudson, Mrs. Margorie Scott, Mrs. Doris Taylor, and Mrs. Joyce Oliver survived him. Burial was in the Sunset Memorial Park in Smithfield (Daily Record Aug. 11, 1982).
Is there anyone who can locate the sites of the various water tanks that have been erected in Coats? Was there ever one on the Coats High School campus? Was there ever one in the area of the old Honeycutt Auto Sales business? For those who have been around longer than others, when were the two current ones erected and who paid for all the water tanks?
I do know in 1982 that a thorough examination of the nine year -old water tank was underway to determine specifications for needed repairs and painting of the structure. Engineers C.T. Clayton and Gerald Horton examined the 140,000 –gallon water tank (Daily Record Aug. 12, 1982). That information gives some clues on one of the tanks.
When you ride through towns do you ever observe water tanks? Have you noticed that some tanks have fancy painted logos while others have actual objects mounted on them---think about Wilson, N.C. Has a water tank ever collapsed and will we continue to need water tanks? Do we need them for trains today?
Good news came to the Lamm family of Coats. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Davis Lamm announced the birth of a son on August 3, 1982, at Rex Hospital. Mrs. Lamm was the former Bridget Barnes (Daily Record Aug. 12, 1982).
The Benson-Coats Cable TV connection was proposed to the Coats commissioners (Daily Record Aug.13, 1982).
The Tyndall Team had won the regular season championship for the second-half season in the Coats Men’s Softball League. The players on the championship team were Larry Messer, Randall McNeill, Jeff Knight, Lebert Holder, Mike West, Ray Johnson, Larry Allen, Jimmy Ennis, Danny Gardner, Ken Roberts, Phillip Matthews, Ronald Coats and Kimry Gardner (Daily Record Aug. 13, 1982).
The tournament champs were the IGA softball team. The players were Wayne Royal, Danny Stanley, Doug Tanner, Ken Howard, Robert Pleasant, Joe Ferrell, scorekeeper Michael Williams, Tim Penny, Tony Howard, Ronnie Stewart, Dan Honeycutt, Randy Pope, Kent Turlington, and Frank Turlington (Daily Record Aug. 13, 1982).
Another death announcement was posted in the paper. Mrs. Liddie B. Tart, 86, had died at Charles Parrish Nursing Home. William A. Tom Tart of Coats was her son (Daily Record Aug.13, 1982).
Glenda Lea Warren of Dunn and Harry Denton exchanged vows on August 20, 1982. Mr. Denton was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Carlyle Denton of Coats. Mrs. Merle Snead of Four Oaks and the late Zebe were parents of Glenda (Daily Record Aug. 17, 1982). Does anyone remember the beautiful voice of their stunning daughter Angela Warren?
It was another year and it marked the birthday of J.W. (Walt) Sorrell, Sr. who celebrated his 94th birthday at Hodges Chapel Church (Daily Record Aug. 23, 1982).
H.L. and I recently talked with J.W. Sorrell, Sr.’s son-Rev. Charles Sorrell, at a Sorrell funeral in Raleigh. Charles shared that only three children of “Walt’s were living-J.W. Sorrell, Jr., Margie Sorrell Raynor and, of course, Charles Sorrell. The elder Walt served during WWI and was one of the last surviving veterans of that war from Harnett County. Part of his story of serving in the WWI is recorded in our Heritage of Coats, NC and also in Defenders of the Red, White and Blue that the Coats Museum volunteers compiled and published last year. He was a remarkable man and lived the example of a God fearing Christian.
Another outstanding family from the Coats area is the Tart family. A new member was added to that family. Jonathan Tart was born to Billy and Joan Byrd Tart. Joan was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edison Byrd of the Angier area. The paternal grandparents of Jonathan were Mr. and Mrs. Fleishman Tart of Coats. Jennifer Ann Tart was another child of Billy and Joan’s (Daily Record Aug. 25, 1982).
When you hear family names, do you associate the name with someone you know who has that name? When I hear Tart, I naturally think of my sister-in-law Betty Ruth who is sister to Billy Tart and the late Bruce Tart. I think of Billy and Betty’s mom, Mrs. Pearl Tart, who was “sharp as a tack.” She never failed to come up to me in the IGA and share that she read the column and wanted to tell me additional information about some story or individual mentioned in a recent column.
I also think of Joe Tart who grew up in Coats and served as the Coats Museum’s attorney as we traveled the path to acquire land to establish and grow the museum. When viewers comment on Dr. William Thornton’s Challenger space suit on display in the museum exhibit hall, we always share that Joe is Dr. Thornton’s friend and attorney. Joe acquired the suit for display.
When I hear Tart, I also think of Charles Tart from the Fayetteville area who visited us frequently and found his way to our piano, requested the name of a song and then banged it out for the entire square to hear it. When we look through the Tart genealogy book, we see so many pages of Tart pictures and family history Charles shared with us. No longer will the voice on the other end of the phone be that of Charles Tart as he called to inquire if the Coats Museum was open that today.
I think of Jerry Tart who shared so much military materials with the museum. It was Jerry who shared with me the sad news that Charles Tart had recently died. How sad it is that such a friend of residents in nursing homes will no longer be able to enjoy his gift of music that Charles joyfully played for them.
Eagle scouts of Troop 779 don’t forget to share your Court of Honor information with Kevin Pope or Marc Powell so we can put together our May Boy Scout Event. The museum volunteers can take information on Thursdays from 9-3 or by calling 897-2525 for additional numbers.