February 19, 2021 Coats Museum News
Have any of you had the opportunity to watch the Blues Brothers performances by Buster Stone and Trace Denning? The two men’s actions and songs bring tears of laughter to the audiences’ eyes but sweat to the faces of the highly animated entertainers.
The stage is nothing new for Buster Stone who was the Master of Ceremonies for the “Little Miss Coats” pageant for Coats Farmer’s Day. The little girls who competed were Christy Ferrell; Kristy Parrish; Rebecca Raynor; Christy Lynn Wheeler (second runner-up and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roger Wheeler); Lori Pleasant; Sarah Ryan; Kristy Lynn Tanner (first runner-up and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tim Stephenson); April Surerus; Tammy Dawn Denton (Miss Congeniality and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Denton). Casey Lynn Coats won the title and crown and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Coats (Daily Record Oct. 7, 1986).
Would you not love to have a picture of all those little beauties alongside a picture of them in 2021? Most fellow teachers can probably share with you stories of meeting up with former students who recognize them but, for the life of them, they cannot put a name to the faces at first glance.
I do know that Mr. and Mrs. Leon Williams’ daughter- Lisa Gale Williams-would have a new last name shortly. The couple had announced Lisa’s engagement to John Derek Barnes, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Barnes of Angier. Many former Coats High graduates will remember Derek and his mom, Linda Barnes, who taught at Coats for many years.
The death angel visited the home of one of the successful farmers across Black River near Coats. George O. Ferrell, 59, of Route One, Coats, had died and was survived by his wife, Dorothy Pope Ferrell. His sons were David, Dan and Joe. Jennie Strader was his daughter and his mother was Mrs. Anna G. Ferrell. He also had two unnamed brothers and four sisters (Daily Record Oct. 7, 1986).
This is a true story about my family and George and Dorothy Ferrell who lived a few miles down the road from my family. I must note that Dorothy’s parents (Bill and Fannie Roberts Pope) were neighbors of ours before she married George. The Pope family had a child that almost paralleled a child that my parents had. Dorothy’s youngest brother, Bobby Pope, and I graduated from school the same year. All the Pope children made their parents proud just as mine did. So here’s more of my story:
All seven of my older sisters headed to or stayed in Washington, DC after graduation from college. I remained in the community after I graduated from college and built a house next door to my aging parents. All teachers know that part of being a good teacher is being creative. I stopped teaching after Lenee and Bryan were born, but I did not stop being creative. I decorated our yard for every season whether it be a ghost peeping from behind every pine tree trunk or a life size witches stirring their brew in an old black cast iron pot with lighted firewood beneath it. Stuffed life-sized rabbits made a good photo setting for young children with their Easter baskets. Mr. and Mrs. Farmer made a good autumn scene. So here is rest of the story about George and Dorothy Ferrell.
Dorothy was my Avon woman and during one visit she shared with me that George was somewhat upset with me. After questioning her as to why, she stated that George said every time he passed our house he would wave at me as I was working in the yard and I was yet to return a wave to him. Can you guess why? He was waving to me? No, he was waving to some of our yard decorations. I would never have failed to wave at George who was such a congenial neighbor who died too young at 59 years of age.
Mr. and Mrs. William Kelley Peregoy of Coats announced the birth of their son, Stuart Kelley Peregoy. The mother was the former Dena Young who dropped by the museum last year to look at some of our Coats yearbooks.
What would be the diameter of a pear weighing a pound? Would it be the same size as let’s say a cantaloupe? I do know that Mr. Herbert wood, of Route One, Coats, was proudly showing off two pears weighing a pound each.
In the Oct. 9, 1986 edition of the Daily Record, Wanda Pollard in her “Coats Social Notes” reported that the Ladies Auxiliary of the Coats Church of God gave a birthday party for their pastor, Mrs. Agnes Baker. Wanda also informed her readers that Mr. Lee Williams was “feeling under the weather”. (Don’t you just love our expressions which we understand perfectly but give our newcomers a look of not understanding?) She wrote that Ernestine (Teeny) Thornton enjoyed a visit back to her hometown of Coats. Fleming Peede had returned home after undergoing major surgery. After his return, he was able to celebrate at the birthday party for his daughter, Cathy Byrd. Wanda also noted that Danny and Karen (Pope) Ferguson had settled into their new house on Route One, Coats. In that same edition of the Daily Record, the members of the Coats Midget Football Team were listed. They were Steven Pope, Brad Maynor, Kevin Parrish, Sequoyah Spears, Brian Hartman, Scott Denton, Tyrone Davis, Jeff Hrush, Michael Turner, Brian Smith, Jon Pope, Ryan Ryals, Brian Harmon, Kenneth Bryant, and Coaches Thomas Johnson and Dickie Maynor.
Read next week to see who played on the Pee Wee Coats Football team and read other interesting news occurring in October of 1986.
Death continues to take so many friends of the community. We were saddened by the death of Thurman Garriss who taught many young people in Coats. H.L and the Class of 1975 have given memorials to honor “Frankie.” Anita Grimes sent the memorial from that 1975 Coats High Class. As treasurer of the Lion’s Club, Anita also made the final payment of the Lions Club’s pledge toward the construction of the Exhibit Hall. Coats is fortunate to have a club of people who make such a difference near and far. Your support of the Lions Club’s projects is a good way to show your appreciation of their service.
Genevieve Thornton Sorrell recently died. She was the daughter of the late Jim Thornton of Benson who appeared on Saturday night television with his singing and dancing in country style with his overalls, bare feet and Yellow Rose Dog Feed. Jim’s accomplishments were recognized on the Tar Heel Traveler Show where Genevieve and her sister Sandra were interviewed. Genevieve shared with the Coats Museum a poem she wrote that told the history of the businesses in Benson where she grew up. Julia Taylor Gregory did a similar poem about the Coats businesses. Thanks also go to H.L. for remembering his sister-in-law Genevieve and his friend James Raynor who spent much of his life serving as a vet tech with Dr. Richard Sorrell and to Becky Adams for honoring Helen Sorrell Stephenson with memorials.
Have any of you had the opportunity to watch the Blues Brothers performances by Buster Stone and Trace Denning? The two men’s actions and songs bring tears of laughter to the audiences’ eyes but sweat to the faces of the highly animated entertainers.
The stage is nothing new for Buster Stone who was the Master of Ceremonies for the “Little Miss Coats” pageant for Coats Farmer’s Day. The little girls who competed were Christy Ferrell; Kristy Parrish; Rebecca Raynor; Christy Lynn Wheeler (second runner-up and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roger Wheeler); Lori Pleasant; Sarah Ryan; Kristy Lynn Tanner (first runner-up and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tim Stephenson); April Surerus; Tammy Dawn Denton (Miss Congeniality and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Denton). Casey Lynn Coats won the title and crown and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Coats (Daily Record Oct. 7, 1986).
Would you not love to have a picture of all those little beauties alongside a picture of them in 2021? Most fellow teachers can probably share with you stories of meeting up with former students who recognize them but, for the life of them, they cannot put a name to the faces at first glance.
I do know that Mr. and Mrs. Leon Williams’ daughter- Lisa Gale Williams-would have a new last name shortly. The couple had announced Lisa’s engagement to John Derek Barnes, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Barnes of Angier. Many former Coats High graduates will remember Derek and his mom, Linda Barnes, who taught at Coats for many years.
The death angel visited the home of one of the successful farmers across Black River near Coats. George O. Ferrell, 59, of Route One, Coats, had died and was survived by his wife, Dorothy Pope Ferrell. His sons were David, Dan and Joe. Jennie Strader was his daughter and his mother was Mrs. Anna G. Ferrell. He also had two unnamed brothers and four sisters (Daily Record Oct. 7, 1986).
This is a true story about my family and George and Dorothy Ferrell who lived a few miles down the road from my family. I must note that Dorothy’s parents (Bill and Fannie Roberts Pope) were neighbors of ours before she married George. The Pope family had a child that almost paralleled a child that my parents had. Dorothy’s youngest brother, Bobby Pope, and I graduated from school the same year. All the Pope children made their parents proud just as mine did. So here’s more of my story:
All seven of my older sisters headed to or stayed in Washington, DC after graduation from college. I remained in the community after I graduated from college and built a house next door to my aging parents. All teachers know that part of being a good teacher is being creative. I stopped teaching after Lenee and Bryan were born, but I did not stop being creative. I decorated our yard for every season whether it be a ghost peeping from behind every pine tree trunk or a life size witches stirring their brew in an old black cast iron pot with lighted firewood beneath it. Stuffed life-sized rabbits made a good photo setting for young children with their Easter baskets. Mr. and Mrs. Farmer made a good autumn scene. So here is rest of the story about George and Dorothy Ferrell.
Dorothy was my Avon woman and during one visit she shared with me that George was somewhat upset with me. After questioning her as to why, she stated that George said every time he passed our house he would wave at me as I was working in the yard and I was yet to return a wave to him. Can you guess why? He was waving to me? No, he was waving to some of our yard decorations. I would never have failed to wave at George who was such a congenial neighbor who died too young at 59 years of age.
Mr. and Mrs. William Kelley Peregoy of Coats announced the birth of their son, Stuart Kelley Peregoy. The mother was the former Dena Young who dropped by the museum last year to look at some of our Coats yearbooks.
What would be the diameter of a pear weighing a pound? Would it be the same size as let’s say a cantaloupe? I do know that Mr. Herbert wood, of Route One, Coats, was proudly showing off two pears weighing a pound each.
In the Oct. 9, 1986 edition of the Daily Record, Wanda Pollard in her “Coats Social Notes” reported that the Ladies Auxiliary of the Coats Church of God gave a birthday party for their pastor, Mrs. Agnes Baker. Wanda also informed her readers that Mr. Lee Williams was “feeling under the weather”. (Don’t you just love our expressions which we understand perfectly but give our newcomers a look of not understanding?) She wrote that Ernestine (Teeny) Thornton enjoyed a visit back to her hometown of Coats. Fleming Peede had returned home after undergoing major surgery. After his return, he was able to celebrate at the birthday party for his daughter, Cathy Byrd. Wanda also noted that Danny and Karen (Pope) Ferguson had settled into their new house on Route One, Coats. In that same edition of the Daily Record, the members of the Coats Midget Football Team were listed. They were Steven Pope, Brad Maynor, Kevin Parrish, Sequoyah Spears, Brian Hartman, Scott Denton, Tyrone Davis, Jeff Hrush, Michael Turner, Brian Smith, Jon Pope, Ryan Ryals, Brian Harmon, Kenneth Bryant, and Coaches Thomas Johnson and Dickie Maynor.
Read next week to see who played on the Pee Wee Coats Football team and read other interesting news occurring in October of 1986.
Death continues to take so many friends of the community. We were saddened by the death of Thurman Garriss who taught many young people in Coats. H.L and the Class of 1975 have given memorials to honor “Frankie.” Anita Grimes sent the memorial from that 1975 Coats High Class. As treasurer of the Lion’s Club, Anita also made the final payment of the Lions Club’s pledge toward the construction of the Exhibit Hall. Coats is fortunate to have a club of people who make such a difference near and far. Your support of the Lions Club’s projects is a good way to show your appreciation of their service.
Genevieve Thornton Sorrell recently died. She was the daughter of the late Jim Thornton of Benson who appeared on Saturday night television with his singing and dancing in country style with his overalls, bare feet and Yellow Rose Dog Feed. Jim’s accomplishments were recognized on the Tar Heel Traveler Show where Genevieve and her sister Sandra were interviewed. Genevieve shared with the Coats Museum a poem she wrote that told the history of the businesses in Benson where she grew up. Julia Taylor Gregory did a similar poem about the Coats businesses. Thanks also go to H.L. for remembering his sister-in-law Genevieve and his friend James Raynor who spent much of his life serving as a vet tech with Dr. Richard Sorrell and to Becky Adams for honoring Helen Sorrell Stephenson with memorials.