February 24, 2017 Coats Museum News
It was August of 1961 and Howard Penny, Sr. was a patient in Good Hope Hospital and up in Barclaysville, Eddie Parrish, 75, and Leonard Parrish, 78, were partying at a family get together at the Goodwill Community Building. Mrs. Mabel Barnes and Mrs. Rebeth Mitchell hosted the event honoring the brothers who were their dads (Daily Record Aug. 18, 1961).
Mrs. Flora Weeks Barnes, 94, of Route 2, Angier had died on Friday. Her daughters were Mrs. Kitty Godwin and Mrs. Lexie Langdon and sons were Nassie, Elmond, and Carvis and all survived her (Daily Record Aug. 21, 1961). Can you name some of the changes she witnessed her 94 years?
The Oakdale Community Development Organization had met where Toby Allen presided over the business session and Mrs. David Ennis gave the secretary and treasurer’s report (Daily Record Aug. 22, 1961). Some of our Oakdale readers, what happened with this organization?
Master Jerry Gardner, Mr. H.R. Byrd and Mr. T.O. Beasley were patients in local hospitals (Daily Record Aug. 22, 24, 1961).
When did the tobacco markets cease to be in Dunn? I do know in August of 1961 that the markets reported that high poundage shot past one million pounds in only four days of selling (Daily Record Aug. 28, 1961). Was most of that raised in Harnett County?
John Alvis Ennis, Jr., fireman in the USN and son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Ennis, was serving aboard the anti submarine warfare support aircraft carrier USS Essex conducting a summer training cruise in the North Atlantic. Back on land, Mrs. Elsie Byrd Garton of Raleigh, formerly of Coats, had died after an extended illness. A daughter, Mrs. Neva G. Wright of Raleigh survived her. Her three sisters were Mrs. Carlos Stewart, Mrs. J. Lester McKoy and Mrs. Clarence Stewart. Fred and John M. Byrd were brothers (Daily Record Aug. 29, 1961).Did she not hold a high position in the government?
While death took away many local acquaintances, the stork brought new arrivals. Mr. and Mrs. Dave House announced the birth of Dava LaRue at Betsy Johnson in Dunn. The mom was the former Margaret Stewart. In rural Coats, Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo L. “Albert” Johnson welcomed a son at Good Hope Hospital in Erwin. The former Lucille Creech of the Elevation area was the mom (Daily Record Aug. 30, 1961).
Oakdale has been a hotbed of activity for generations. The area is located where Johnston and Harnett County border each other. The year 1961 continued with involvement. Twenty-seven people attended the annual Oakdale picnic in the clubroom of the old Oakdale School. The Oakdale HD Club also continued to meet in that old school.
The Harnett County GOP Executive Committee had planned a meeting and dinner at Luke’s Café. Bill Mason was chosen as chairman of the Harnett group (Daily Record Sept. 6, 1961).
Mr. H.A. Turlington, retired U.S. Chief Deputy Marshal of the Eastern District, had held a Duroc Sale at the Big 4 Warehouse on the Benson Highway (Daily Record Sept. 8, 1961) while Mr. and Mrs. John Fleming Peede were parents of a new son at Good Hope. Catherine Upchurch was the new mother (Daily Record Sept. 11, 1961). Hettie Holloway was also in Good Hope (Daily Record Sept. 14, 1961).
James C. Matthews, 35, of N.Y. City, formerly of Coats, had died of a heart attack while visiting his sister, Mrs. Grace Dixon, of Coats (Daily Record Sept. 13, 1961).
Can you name some of the different ways that people explain the death of someone? Some might say, “He dropped dead!” Others might say, “He fell over dead!” Some have been known to say “He kicked the bucket!” Did you ever hear “He croaked!”? Have you heard, “He’s gone home!” or He’s not with us anymore!”?How about “He bought the farm!”?
Mrs. Tyrus Powell was honored with a stork shower by hostesses Mrs. John Holmes and Mrs. Condary Byrd. The event was at the home of Mrs. Newton Byrd (Daily Record September 15, 1961). Hopefully we will read about what the stork delivered later.
Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Dunn of Benson announced the marriage of their daughter, Edna Lou, to Sherrill Stancil. The couple was married in Dillon, S.C. The bride attended Coats School (Daily Record Sept. 20, 1961).
Mr. and Mrs. Jonah C. Johnson of Coats announced the engagement of their daughter, Joyce Faye Johnson, to Walter Milton Farmer of Spring Hope, NC (Daily Record Sept.21, 1961).
Births, marriages, engagements and deaths filled the news reports in September of 1961. Ronnie Nell Stewart, 11 month-old grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Stewart of rural Coats “passed away” Betsy Johnson Hospital (Daily Record Sept. 22, 1961).
Miss Judy Parrish, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raeford Parrish, was chosen “Miss Benson” from a field of fifteen contestants at the Mule Day celebration. Elsewhere, jurors whose names were drawn for October Superior Court session were Delmer Capps, Wade Campbell, Gerald Langdon, Silas Faulkner, Curtis D. Gregory, and Delphus Carroll.
The president of the Fidelis Class of Coats Baptist Church was Mrs. Helen Dixon. Other members were Mrs. Iris Langdon, Mrs. Ora Parrish, Mrs. Mary Hough, Mrs. Grace Harmon, Mrs. Johnnie Barnes, Mrs. Mabel Barnes, Mrs. Henry Stewart, Mrs. Charlie Williams, and Mrs. Newton Byrd (Daily Record Sept. 25, 1961).
Mrs. Helen Dixon had a busy September. Her daughter and son-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar Stewart were in town visiting the Dixons and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Stewart. Also Harold Dixon was home from Wake Forest visiting the Dixons. Sybil Beasley was also home from Wake Forest visiting her mom, Lib Guy.
Other local news was that Mrs. Gerald Langdon and son, David, had visited her parents, Rev. and Mrs. J.T. Davis, Sr., in Hinton, West Virginia. The Ruth Eller Class of CBC had met at the home of Mrs. Joyce Adams. Mrs. Belle Williams and President Nina Barnes were in charge of the meeting. New officers were elected at the meeting and they were the following: president- Eloise Pope Lee, vice president -Clara Langdon, and secretary-treasurer- Betty Gregory. Mrs. Lou Herring was a new member of the class. Outside of Coats, down in the rural Dunn area, Mr. Charles Felton Jackson, 58, had died on Sunday night. He was the father of Mrs. W.G. Beasley (Daily Record Sept. 25, 1961).
School had been in session for about a month and Coats School was making the news. The 1961-62 Junior Class at the school had chosen the following officers: President Ralph Denning, Vice President Johnny Malone, Secretary Edna Andrews, Reporter Gwendolyn Flowers, and Co-Treasurers G.R. Stephenson and Libby Turlington and, lastly, Historian Lynda Stewart. The Junior Class also selected the Student Council representatives and those picked were Edna Andrews, Gwendolyn Flowers, G.R. Stephenson, and Larry Rose (Daily Record September 26, 1961).
Read next week for additional information of the Coats School news of 1961-62. It is always fascinating to learn what became of those students after they graduated and traveled the path of life.
For example, Richard Daniel and Janice Barnes were both graduates of the Class of 1961 at Coats High. Guess what—they married and both have a PHD. They are also friends of the Coats Museum and recently remembered Lib Guy with a memorial. They were joined by two other former graduates-Hilda Pope and Norma Lee Johnson Matthis. Thank you both for remembering Lib Guy. Gerry Honeycutt is not a Coats graduate but she has truly impacted the school system at Coats as well as Harnett County. Gerry is the mother of Debbie Honeycutt Turlington who touched the lives of so many young students at Coats while her brother Dan Honeycutt taught at Coats, was principal at Triton High and later Superintendent of our Harnett County Schools. To top it off, Dan married Teresa Neal Honeycutt who prepared so many students for high school math and both impacted the athletic program in the county schools. Hence, it just makes sense that Teresa and Dan’s son, Lance Honeycutt, would follow his parents’ path in coaching young people to do their best in the sports arena. Gerry thank you for all you do for the museum.
The museum is not without its humor. We recently received a contribution to the Coats Museum Endowment. Inquiring as to who was to be remembered or honored –the donor, Peggy Robinson, responded “I’m giving this just because!”
Lynda Butler and I enjoyed giving a program on what can be found in the Research Library and a short tour to the Tea and Garden Club last week—what a delight they were as we afterwards shared lunch with them at Cornerstone as compliments of Patsy Avery. Other clubs in the county are welcomed to visit the museum for programs since so many of our former Coats folks now live in surrounding towns.
We had a wonderful session with Desi Campbell and Peggy Robinson as they continue to interview individuals for a Black History Documentary which will be shown in late March. Please remember that all Coats connected military veteran materials to be published in “The Defenders of the Red, White and Blue” book must be in our hands at the museum by March 2, 2017—Late is too Late!
It was August of 1961 and Howard Penny, Sr. was a patient in Good Hope Hospital and up in Barclaysville, Eddie Parrish, 75, and Leonard Parrish, 78, were partying at a family get together at the Goodwill Community Building. Mrs. Mabel Barnes and Mrs. Rebeth Mitchell hosted the event honoring the brothers who were their dads (Daily Record Aug. 18, 1961).
Mrs. Flora Weeks Barnes, 94, of Route 2, Angier had died on Friday. Her daughters were Mrs. Kitty Godwin and Mrs. Lexie Langdon and sons were Nassie, Elmond, and Carvis and all survived her (Daily Record Aug. 21, 1961). Can you name some of the changes she witnessed her 94 years?
The Oakdale Community Development Organization had met where Toby Allen presided over the business session and Mrs. David Ennis gave the secretary and treasurer’s report (Daily Record Aug. 22, 1961). Some of our Oakdale readers, what happened with this organization?
Master Jerry Gardner, Mr. H.R. Byrd and Mr. T.O. Beasley were patients in local hospitals (Daily Record Aug. 22, 24, 1961).
When did the tobacco markets cease to be in Dunn? I do know in August of 1961 that the markets reported that high poundage shot past one million pounds in only four days of selling (Daily Record Aug. 28, 1961). Was most of that raised in Harnett County?
John Alvis Ennis, Jr., fireman in the USN and son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Ennis, was serving aboard the anti submarine warfare support aircraft carrier USS Essex conducting a summer training cruise in the North Atlantic. Back on land, Mrs. Elsie Byrd Garton of Raleigh, formerly of Coats, had died after an extended illness. A daughter, Mrs. Neva G. Wright of Raleigh survived her. Her three sisters were Mrs. Carlos Stewart, Mrs. J. Lester McKoy and Mrs. Clarence Stewart. Fred and John M. Byrd were brothers (Daily Record Aug. 29, 1961).Did she not hold a high position in the government?
While death took away many local acquaintances, the stork brought new arrivals. Mr. and Mrs. Dave House announced the birth of Dava LaRue at Betsy Johnson in Dunn. The mom was the former Margaret Stewart. In rural Coats, Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo L. “Albert” Johnson welcomed a son at Good Hope Hospital in Erwin. The former Lucille Creech of the Elevation area was the mom (Daily Record Aug. 30, 1961).
Oakdale has been a hotbed of activity for generations. The area is located where Johnston and Harnett County border each other. The year 1961 continued with involvement. Twenty-seven people attended the annual Oakdale picnic in the clubroom of the old Oakdale School. The Oakdale HD Club also continued to meet in that old school.
The Harnett County GOP Executive Committee had planned a meeting and dinner at Luke’s Café. Bill Mason was chosen as chairman of the Harnett group (Daily Record Sept. 6, 1961).
Mr. H.A. Turlington, retired U.S. Chief Deputy Marshal of the Eastern District, had held a Duroc Sale at the Big 4 Warehouse on the Benson Highway (Daily Record Sept. 8, 1961) while Mr. and Mrs. John Fleming Peede were parents of a new son at Good Hope. Catherine Upchurch was the new mother (Daily Record Sept. 11, 1961). Hettie Holloway was also in Good Hope (Daily Record Sept. 14, 1961).
James C. Matthews, 35, of N.Y. City, formerly of Coats, had died of a heart attack while visiting his sister, Mrs. Grace Dixon, of Coats (Daily Record Sept. 13, 1961).
Can you name some of the different ways that people explain the death of someone? Some might say, “He dropped dead!” Others might say, “He fell over dead!” Some have been known to say “He kicked the bucket!” Did you ever hear “He croaked!”? Have you heard, “He’s gone home!” or He’s not with us anymore!”?How about “He bought the farm!”?
Mrs. Tyrus Powell was honored with a stork shower by hostesses Mrs. John Holmes and Mrs. Condary Byrd. The event was at the home of Mrs. Newton Byrd (Daily Record September 15, 1961). Hopefully we will read about what the stork delivered later.
Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Dunn of Benson announced the marriage of their daughter, Edna Lou, to Sherrill Stancil. The couple was married in Dillon, S.C. The bride attended Coats School (Daily Record Sept. 20, 1961).
Mr. and Mrs. Jonah C. Johnson of Coats announced the engagement of their daughter, Joyce Faye Johnson, to Walter Milton Farmer of Spring Hope, NC (Daily Record Sept.21, 1961).
Births, marriages, engagements and deaths filled the news reports in September of 1961. Ronnie Nell Stewart, 11 month-old grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Stewart of rural Coats “passed away” Betsy Johnson Hospital (Daily Record Sept. 22, 1961).
Miss Judy Parrish, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raeford Parrish, was chosen “Miss Benson” from a field of fifteen contestants at the Mule Day celebration. Elsewhere, jurors whose names were drawn for October Superior Court session were Delmer Capps, Wade Campbell, Gerald Langdon, Silas Faulkner, Curtis D. Gregory, and Delphus Carroll.
The president of the Fidelis Class of Coats Baptist Church was Mrs. Helen Dixon. Other members were Mrs. Iris Langdon, Mrs. Ora Parrish, Mrs. Mary Hough, Mrs. Grace Harmon, Mrs. Johnnie Barnes, Mrs. Mabel Barnes, Mrs. Henry Stewart, Mrs. Charlie Williams, and Mrs. Newton Byrd (Daily Record Sept. 25, 1961).
Mrs. Helen Dixon had a busy September. Her daughter and son-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar Stewart were in town visiting the Dixons and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Stewart. Also Harold Dixon was home from Wake Forest visiting the Dixons. Sybil Beasley was also home from Wake Forest visiting her mom, Lib Guy.
Other local news was that Mrs. Gerald Langdon and son, David, had visited her parents, Rev. and Mrs. J.T. Davis, Sr., in Hinton, West Virginia. The Ruth Eller Class of CBC had met at the home of Mrs. Joyce Adams. Mrs. Belle Williams and President Nina Barnes were in charge of the meeting. New officers were elected at the meeting and they were the following: president- Eloise Pope Lee, vice president -Clara Langdon, and secretary-treasurer- Betty Gregory. Mrs. Lou Herring was a new member of the class. Outside of Coats, down in the rural Dunn area, Mr. Charles Felton Jackson, 58, had died on Sunday night. He was the father of Mrs. W.G. Beasley (Daily Record Sept. 25, 1961).
School had been in session for about a month and Coats School was making the news. The 1961-62 Junior Class at the school had chosen the following officers: President Ralph Denning, Vice President Johnny Malone, Secretary Edna Andrews, Reporter Gwendolyn Flowers, and Co-Treasurers G.R. Stephenson and Libby Turlington and, lastly, Historian Lynda Stewart. The Junior Class also selected the Student Council representatives and those picked were Edna Andrews, Gwendolyn Flowers, G.R. Stephenson, and Larry Rose (Daily Record September 26, 1961).
Read next week for additional information of the Coats School news of 1961-62. It is always fascinating to learn what became of those students after they graduated and traveled the path of life.
For example, Richard Daniel and Janice Barnes were both graduates of the Class of 1961 at Coats High. Guess what—they married and both have a PHD. They are also friends of the Coats Museum and recently remembered Lib Guy with a memorial. They were joined by two other former graduates-Hilda Pope and Norma Lee Johnson Matthis. Thank you both for remembering Lib Guy. Gerry Honeycutt is not a Coats graduate but she has truly impacted the school system at Coats as well as Harnett County. Gerry is the mother of Debbie Honeycutt Turlington who touched the lives of so many young students at Coats while her brother Dan Honeycutt taught at Coats, was principal at Triton High and later Superintendent of our Harnett County Schools. To top it off, Dan married Teresa Neal Honeycutt who prepared so many students for high school math and both impacted the athletic program in the county schools. Hence, it just makes sense that Teresa and Dan’s son, Lance Honeycutt, would follow his parents’ path in coaching young people to do their best in the sports arena. Gerry thank you for all you do for the museum.
The museum is not without its humor. We recently received a contribution to the Coats Museum Endowment. Inquiring as to who was to be remembered or honored –the donor, Peggy Robinson, responded “I’m giving this just because!”
Lynda Butler and I enjoyed giving a program on what can be found in the Research Library and a short tour to the Tea and Garden Club last week—what a delight they were as we afterwards shared lunch with them at Cornerstone as compliments of Patsy Avery. Other clubs in the county are welcomed to visit the museum for programs since so many of our former Coats folks now live in surrounding towns.
We had a wonderful session with Desi Campbell and Peggy Robinson as they continue to interview individuals for a Black History Documentary which will be shown in late March. Please remember that all Coats connected military veteran materials to be published in “The Defenders of the Red, White and Blue” book must be in our hands at the museum by March 2, 2017—Late is too Late!