February 23, 2018 Coats Museum News
The U.S. strength in Vietnam was 537,800 when the Class of 1968-69 entered high school. They had much class business to transact in early September when they selected the class ring- a black onyx with a gold, old English C. The group voted to dedicate their yearbook Echoing Memories to Brenda Sutton and H.L. Sorrell for their unselfish dedication to the seniors of 1969. Donnie Campbell, Monroe Parrish and Glen Cobb were deceased friends who lived on in the hearts and minds of the seniors and consequently the class remembered them in their yearbook. The staff of the yearbook found Kay Fish as editor and Mike Hudson as business manager.
The seniors had voted on class superlatives which resulted in Kay Fish and Tim McKinnie being “Best All Around”. “Most Likely To Succeed” went to Lydna Daniel and Tom Jackson, ”Beau and Belle” to Janice Williams and Phil Ennis, “Neatest” to Pat Wagner and Clyde Ennis, “Cutest” to Alice Faircloth and Bruce Barefoot, “Wittiest” to Carolyn Denning and Gary Penny, “Most Athletic” to Betsy Weaver and Steve Faircloth, “Best Sports” to Sybil Lamm and Tony Weaver, “Most Original” to Dana Coats and Harry Matthews, “Most Dependable” to Gayle Wilkins and Keith McLeod”,“ Friendliest “ to Penny Coats and Andy Parrish, “Most Talented” to Jone Ennis and Ricky Suggs,” Most Intellectual” to Pat West and Mike Hudson, ”Most School Spirited” to Tomi Barefoot and Tony Turlington, “Most Courteous” to Louise Flowers and Richard Williams. Did those characteristics carry on in the lives of the students as years passed?
Candy! Cases of candy were everywhere for the members of Beta Honor, Monogram and Library Clubs to sell. Who remembers those days? Pat West and Mike Hudson had earned the top grades to be marshals in the 10th grade and Mike Hudson, Jeff Turlington and Pat West earned the honor in Grade 11. The seniors had selected class mascots to be Tim Fish and Teresa Partin. Randy Rambeau was selected as class historian and Betsy Weaver as class poet. Jeff Turlington was chosen as testator and Janice Williams was class prophetess.
Mr. and Miss Echoing Memories were Lynda Daniel and Don Ennis. The Homecoming Queen was Sybil Lamm with Tim McKInnie as her escort. Cathy Norris was Maid of Honor. Gayle Wilkins was Miss Coats High. Cathy Norris and Joy Weaver were attendants. Sybil Lamm was FFA Sweetheart and Phil Ennis was the Beau of FFA.
The coaches of the 1968-69 season found H.T. Davis, Norfleet Gardner, Ron Avery and Mike Smith on the hardwood, diamond, and gridiron. Andy Parrish and Tom Jackson were co-captains on the gridiron; Kay Fish and Betsy Weaver were co-captains on the hardwood and Don Ennis and Steve Faircloth were co-captains on the boys basketball team (Coats High School Echoing Memories).
An 18 year-old Coats soldier was fatally wounded in Vietnam while on patrol near Quang Nam Province. Donny Ray Campbell was a PFC in the US Marine Corps and was survived by his mother, Mrs. Gladys Campbell; his five sisters-Mrs. Betty Terry, Mrs. Carolyn Baitel, Mrs. Barbara Henderson, Mrs. Ann Griffin and Miss Tina Campbell. Archie Campbell was his only brother (Daily Record Sept. 4, 1968).
Mr. and Mrs. Lynwood Ennis announced the birth of a daughter. The mother was the former Jean Allen (Daily Record Sept. 4, 1968).
Major William Barnes, son of Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Barnes, received the Bronze Star Medal during ceremonies in Vietnam. Barnes received the award for meritorious service against hostile forces. Barnes was a 1955 graduate of Coats (Daily Record Sept. 5, 1968).
Mrs. Mollie Williams, 89, of Coats had died in GHH. Her services were held in the Prospect FWB Church by Rev. Ralph Byrd and Rev. Mr. Saverance. Her burial was in the church cemetery and she was survived by eight children-Mrs. Sam Pope, Mrs. Robert Jones, Mrs. Hollis McIntyre, Mrs. Roy Baird, Alton Williams, Roger Williams, Carthan Williams and Howard Williams. Three siblings survived Mrs. Williams-Mrs. Lula Royals, Willie Sawyer and Andrew Sawyer (Daily Record Sept.10, 1968).
Lewis R. Williams, 41, of Roxboro, was killed in an automobile collision. His wife, Daisy Gentry Williams, his daughters, Barbara and Elaine Williams, survived him. Mr. and Mrs. Hester Williams were his parents. Willard, Sherwood, and Greta Williams Sills were his siblings (Daily Record Sept. 13, 1968).
The Coats Woman’s Club feted Mrs. Alice Lou Roberts with a surprise stork shower. Mrs. Mack Hudson presided at the meeting (Daily Record Sept. 13, 1968).
The citizens of Coats were rightly proud of their new industry-Terre Hill. The following were named as being important to the effort to get the company: Grady Matthews, Herbert Johnson, J.D. Norris, Godfrey Beasley, Marshall Woodall, Thurman Ennis, Nassie Dorman, D.T. Grimes, M. Reid Hudson, Joe Hawley, Joel Ennis, Haywood Roberts and Ophelia Roberts (Daily Record Oct. 1, 1968).
Mrs. Laura Beasley, 83, of Coats died at GHH after a lingering illness. Services were conducted at Gift Primitive Church with Elders A.D. McGee and Shepard Stephenson officiating. Burial was in the Coats City Cemetery. Surviving were one daughter, Mrs. B. Clevenger, and one son, Wade E. Beasley. Annie K. Holland and Mrs. Tony Harper were her sisters. Elsewhere, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse B. West, Jr. of Coats announced the birth of a son. The mother was the former Elsie McLamb. Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Meadows of Coats announced the birth of a son. Mrs. Meadows was the former Fernie Pope (Daily Record Oct. 7, 1968).
Tim Langdon had died at Wake Memorial Hospital due to injuries he had received in an automobile. His services were at the Coats Baptist Church. He was survived by his parents, J.A. Jr. and Laura Sorrell Langdon; two sisters, Teresa and Cynthia Langdon, and one brother, Sandy Langdon. Tim had been a freshman at NCSU.
Happier news came from Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Tart of Old Fairground Road who announced the engagement of their daughter, Miss Charlotte Tart, to Gerald Allen. Charlotte was a graduate of Coats High School and Fayetteville State Institute with a degree in practical nursing. Mr. Allen was a Four Oaks High School graduate and was a second-year student in electronic engineering at Fayetteville State Institute (Daily Record Oct. 10, 1968).
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Thomas Denning were married at the Coats Baptist Church. Miss Ann Stewart and Sondra Smith provided music. Miss Linda Turlington was part of her sister Laura’s wedding party (Daily Record Oct. 14, 1968).
Deaths, weddings and births dominated the news as readers read that Mr. and Mrs. Harry Brock Roberts were parents of a daughter at GHH. Mrs. Roberts was the former of Alice Lou Jackson (Daily Record Oct. 15, 1968).
Mrs. Lena L. Taylor, 83, of Coats died at Wake Memorial Hospital. Her services were held at the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church of God by Rev. Earlie Parker, pastor (Daily Record Oct. 18, 1968).
Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Miller of Dunn announced the birth of a son in the Johnston Memorial Hospital in Smithfield. The mother was the former Betty Lou Wood (Daily Record Oct. 18, 1968). Question-did Rudolph’s father, Johnnie Miller, not die a couple of months ago?
Death took another man who had many Coats connections. Mr. Rufus Wilkins, 49, of Route 2, Angier, who died on Saturday, had his funeral services at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Rev. Gerald Davis officiated. He was survived by his wife, Louise Wilkins and children-Brenda Hardee and Jimmy Wilkins. He was also survived by his mother, Mrs. Ada Wilkins, and siblings-Mrs. Clara Stephenson, Mrs. Ida Campbell, Mrs. Dorothy Stephenson, Mrs. Mamie Godwin, Leamon Wilkins, Ernest Wilkins, Elmo Wilkins, John Wilkins, Thomas Wilkins, and George Wilkins (Daily Record Oct. 28, 1968). That’s a large family. Was Rufus the first sibling to die?
Another wreck took a young man with Coats roots. Jerry Edward Fish, a Coats salesman and only 28 years-old, had died as a result of automobile injuries. His services were at the Coats Baptist Church by Rev. Howard Beard. Burial was in the Coats City Cemetery. Joseph was survived by his wife, Peggy Moore Fish; a daughter, Celina Fish, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Fish and his grandparents, Mr. And Mrs. B.L. Godwin. His sisters were Janice Fish Holder and Kay Fish. Joseph D. Fish, Jr. and Tim Fish were brothers (Daily Record Nov. 1, 1968).
Do you remember reading about Council Williams in a few columns back? The Coats politician was a Republican candidate for House of Representative for Seat #1 in Harnett and Lee Counties (Daily Record Nov. 1, 1968).
A special thank you goes to all who are dropping by the museum to purchase a copy of the Defenders of the Red, White and Blue. The question asked over and over is “Why are you selling it so cheap?” The publication was an act of love from the Coats Museum volunteers to all those who served in our armed forces. There is a limited number of books at the museum for sale so if you wish to get a copy, drop by on Thursdays from 9-3 or on Sundays from 2-5.
During WWII, Billie Jean WIggs Hollis’ father, James B. Wiggs, was killed in action and buried in Elpo, France in an American cemetery. Billie Jean married Oliver Hollis who served in Vietnam and earned the rank-Command Sergeant Major (E-9). She dropped by the museum to purchase her copy of the book and to give a donation to the museum. Thank you, Billie Jean.
On Thursday, we welcomed to Coats Museum, nineteen visitors of the Newcomers Club from Holly Springs. They were an awesome group of folks and asked a million questions as most of them said they had never even heard of Coats. I was reminded by someone that most of the new residents from Holly Springs are from out of state. There were nine states represented in that group. After having lunch at Cornerstone, one of them actually came back and did a second tour.
The U.S. strength in Vietnam was 537,800 when the Class of 1968-69 entered high school. They had much class business to transact in early September when they selected the class ring- a black onyx with a gold, old English C. The group voted to dedicate their yearbook Echoing Memories to Brenda Sutton and H.L. Sorrell for their unselfish dedication to the seniors of 1969. Donnie Campbell, Monroe Parrish and Glen Cobb were deceased friends who lived on in the hearts and minds of the seniors and consequently the class remembered them in their yearbook. The staff of the yearbook found Kay Fish as editor and Mike Hudson as business manager.
The seniors had voted on class superlatives which resulted in Kay Fish and Tim McKinnie being “Best All Around”. “Most Likely To Succeed” went to Lydna Daniel and Tom Jackson, ”Beau and Belle” to Janice Williams and Phil Ennis, “Neatest” to Pat Wagner and Clyde Ennis, “Cutest” to Alice Faircloth and Bruce Barefoot, “Wittiest” to Carolyn Denning and Gary Penny, “Most Athletic” to Betsy Weaver and Steve Faircloth, “Best Sports” to Sybil Lamm and Tony Weaver, “Most Original” to Dana Coats and Harry Matthews, “Most Dependable” to Gayle Wilkins and Keith McLeod”,“ Friendliest “ to Penny Coats and Andy Parrish, “Most Talented” to Jone Ennis and Ricky Suggs,” Most Intellectual” to Pat West and Mike Hudson, ”Most School Spirited” to Tomi Barefoot and Tony Turlington, “Most Courteous” to Louise Flowers and Richard Williams. Did those characteristics carry on in the lives of the students as years passed?
Candy! Cases of candy were everywhere for the members of Beta Honor, Monogram and Library Clubs to sell. Who remembers those days? Pat West and Mike Hudson had earned the top grades to be marshals in the 10th grade and Mike Hudson, Jeff Turlington and Pat West earned the honor in Grade 11. The seniors had selected class mascots to be Tim Fish and Teresa Partin. Randy Rambeau was selected as class historian and Betsy Weaver as class poet. Jeff Turlington was chosen as testator and Janice Williams was class prophetess.
Mr. and Miss Echoing Memories were Lynda Daniel and Don Ennis. The Homecoming Queen was Sybil Lamm with Tim McKInnie as her escort. Cathy Norris was Maid of Honor. Gayle Wilkins was Miss Coats High. Cathy Norris and Joy Weaver were attendants. Sybil Lamm was FFA Sweetheart and Phil Ennis was the Beau of FFA.
The coaches of the 1968-69 season found H.T. Davis, Norfleet Gardner, Ron Avery and Mike Smith on the hardwood, diamond, and gridiron. Andy Parrish and Tom Jackson were co-captains on the gridiron; Kay Fish and Betsy Weaver were co-captains on the hardwood and Don Ennis and Steve Faircloth were co-captains on the boys basketball team (Coats High School Echoing Memories).
An 18 year-old Coats soldier was fatally wounded in Vietnam while on patrol near Quang Nam Province. Donny Ray Campbell was a PFC in the US Marine Corps and was survived by his mother, Mrs. Gladys Campbell; his five sisters-Mrs. Betty Terry, Mrs. Carolyn Baitel, Mrs. Barbara Henderson, Mrs. Ann Griffin and Miss Tina Campbell. Archie Campbell was his only brother (Daily Record Sept. 4, 1968).
Mr. and Mrs. Lynwood Ennis announced the birth of a daughter. The mother was the former Jean Allen (Daily Record Sept. 4, 1968).
Major William Barnes, son of Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Barnes, received the Bronze Star Medal during ceremonies in Vietnam. Barnes received the award for meritorious service against hostile forces. Barnes was a 1955 graduate of Coats (Daily Record Sept. 5, 1968).
Mrs. Mollie Williams, 89, of Coats had died in GHH. Her services were held in the Prospect FWB Church by Rev. Ralph Byrd and Rev. Mr. Saverance. Her burial was in the church cemetery and she was survived by eight children-Mrs. Sam Pope, Mrs. Robert Jones, Mrs. Hollis McIntyre, Mrs. Roy Baird, Alton Williams, Roger Williams, Carthan Williams and Howard Williams. Three siblings survived Mrs. Williams-Mrs. Lula Royals, Willie Sawyer and Andrew Sawyer (Daily Record Sept.10, 1968).
Lewis R. Williams, 41, of Roxboro, was killed in an automobile collision. His wife, Daisy Gentry Williams, his daughters, Barbara and Elaine Williams, survived him. Mr. and Mrs. Hester Williams were his parents. Willard, Sherwood, and Greta Williams Sills were his siblings (Daily Record Sept. 13, 1968).
The Coats Woman’s Club feted Mrs. Alice Lou Roberts with a surprise stork shower. Mrs. Mack Hudson presided at the meeting (Daily Record Sept. 13, 1968).
The citizens of Coats were rightly proud of their new industry-Terre Hill. The following were named as being important to the effort to get the company: Grady Matthews, Herbert Johnson, J.D. Norris, Godfrey Beasley, Marshall Woodall, Thurman Ennis, Nassie Dorman, D.T. Grimes, M. Reid Hudson, Joe Hawley, Joel Ennis, Haywood Roberts and Ophelia Roberts (Daily Record Oct. 1, 1968).
Mrs. Laura Beasley, 83, of Coats died at GHH after a lingering illness. Services were conducted at Gift Primitive Church with Elders A.D. McGee and Shepard Stephenson officiating. Burial was in the Coats City Cemetery. Surviving were one daughter, Mrs. B. Clevenger, and one son, Wade E. Beasley. Annie K. Holland and Mrs. Tony Harper were her sisters. Elsewhere, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse B. West, Jr. of Coats announced the birth of a son. The mother was the former Elsie McLamb. Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Meadows of Coats announced the birth of a son. Mrs. Meadows was the former Fernie Pope (Daily Record Oct. 7, 1968).
Tim Langdon had died at Wake Memorial Hospital due to injuries he had received in an automobile. His services were at the Coats Baptist Church. He was survived by his parents, J.A. Jr. and Laura Sorrell Langdon; two sisters, Teresa and Cynthia Langdon, and one brother, Sandy Langdon. Tim had been a freshman at NCSU.
Happier news came from Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Tart of Old Fairground Road who announced the engagement of their daughter, Miss Charlotte Tart, to Gerald Allen. Charlotte was a graduate of Coats High School and Fayetteville State Institute with a degree in practical nursing. Mr. Allen was a Four Oaks High School graduate and was a second-year student in electronic engineering at Fayetteville State Institute (Daily Record Oct. 10, 1968).
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Thomas Denning were married at the Coats Baptist Church. Miss Ann Stewart and Sondra Smith provided music. Miss Linda Turlington was part of her sister Laura’s wedding party (Daily Record Oct. 14, 1968).
Deaths, weddings and births dominated the news as readers read that Mr. and Mrs. Harry Brock Roberts were parents of a daughter at GHH. Mrs. Roberts was the former of Alice Lou Jackson (Daily Record Oct. 15, 1968).
Mrs. Lena L. Taylor, 83, of Coats died at Wake Memorial Hospital. Her services were held at the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church of God by Rev. Earlie Parker, pastor (Daily Record Oct. 18, 1968).
Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Miller of Dunn announced the birth of a son in the Johnston Memorial Hospital in Smithfield. The mother was the former Betty Lou Wood (Daily Record Oct. 18, 1968). Question-did Rudolph’s father, Johnnie Miller, not die a couple of months ago?
Death took another man who had many Coats connections. Mr. Rufus Wilkins, 49, of Route 2, Angier, who died on Saturday, had his funeral services at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Rev. Gerald Davis officiated. He was survived by his wife, Louise Wilkins and children-Brenda Hardee and Jimmy Wilkins. He was also survived by his mother, Mrs. Ada Wilkins, and siblings-Mrs. Clara Stephenson, Mrs. Ida Campbell, Mrs. Dorothy Stephenson, Mrs. Mamie Godwin, Leamon Wilkins, Ernest Wilkins, Elmo Wilkins, John Wilkins, Thomas Wilkins, and George Wilkins (Daily Record Oct. 28, 1968). That’s a large family. Was Rufus the first sibling to die?
Another wreck took a young man with Coats roots. Jerry Edward Fish, a Coats salesman and only 28 years-old, had died as a result of automobile injuries. His services were at the Coats Baptist Church by Rev. Howard Beard. Burial was in the Coats City Cemetery. Joseph was survived by his wife, Peggy Moore Fish; a daughter, Celina Fish, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Fish and his grandparents, Mr. And Mrs. B.L. Godwin. His sisters were Janice Fish Holder and Kay Fish. Joseph D. Fish, Jr. and Tim Fish were brothers (Daily Record Nov. 1, 1968).
Do you remember reading about Council Williams in a few columns back? The Coats politician was a Republican candidate for House of Representative for Seat #1 in Harnett and Lee Counties (Daily Record Nov. 1, 1968).
A special thank you goes to all who are dropping by the museum to purchase a copy of the Defenders of the Red, White and Blue. The question asked over and over is “Why are you selling it so cheap?” The publication was an act of love from the Coats Museum volunteers to all those who served in our armed forces. There is a limited number of books at the museum for sale so if you wish to get a copy, drop by on Thursdays from 9-3 or on Sundays from 2-5.
During WWII, Billie Jean WIggs Hollis’ father, James B. Wiggs, was killed in action and buried in Elpo, France in an American cemetery. Billie Jean married Oliver Hollis who served in Vietnam and earned the rank-Command Sergeant Major (E-9). She dropped by the museum to purchase her copy of the book and to give a donation to the museum. Thank you, Billie Jean.
On Thursday, we welcomed to Coats Museum, nineteen visitors of the Newcomers Club from Holly Springs. They were an awesome group of folks and asked a million questions as most of them said they had never even heard of Coats. I was reminded by someone that most of the new residents from Holly Springs are from out of state. There were nine states represented in that group. After having lunch at Cornerstone, one of them actually came back and did a second tour.