February 6, 2015
Coats Museum News
Some readers may recall when Audrey Stewart wrote for the Daily Record. In 1951, she wrote that Mr. G.W. Miller who had been a patient at McCain Hospital was back home with his wife in Coats, and that Mayor J.D. Norris had spent Thursday in Raeford on business. His daughter Shirley Norris had stayed the weekend with Miss Jean Pope near Bailey’s Crossroads. Mr. and Mrs. Earnie Gates of Grundy, VA were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Ennis. Mrs. Wilma McIntuff of Washington, D.C. had visited her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joel Ennis, for a few days while Mr. and Mrs. G.G. Guy and daughter Gerry had spent a few days with Mr. and Mrs. O.G. Lamm. Mrs. J.M. Malone was in Middlesex with her sister, Mrs. P.D. Chandler (Daily Record July 20, 1951).
The younger folks were also hitting the road with activities that took them out of town. Patty Sue McLamb attended the 4-H Club Week at State College where she was the only local girl attending (Daily Record July 23, 1951).
Beautiful Lulong Ogburn, 19 year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.V. Ogburn of Smithfield, won Miss North Carolina. Does she have some local kin? The cease-fire negotiations had resumed in the Korean War. Fluoride’s use was confirmed to be successful. “The Lost Colony” gave its 500th performance.
Back in Grove Township, Robert Stone of Route 2, died at his home. He was father of eight. Sgt. Richard Bruce Denning was promoted to this rank after he completed a training course in International Business Machines in Germany (Daily Record July 24, 1951).
Agreement was closed on the Cease-Fire Talks (Daily Record July 25, 1951). The Five Point Cease-Fire Agenda that was adopted had prevented WWIII according to President Harry Truman (Daily Record July 26, 1951).
Mr. and Mrs. Stacy Whittington and daughters, Carolyn, Lauren and Rebecca Whittington, had visited relatives in Coats (Daily Record July 31, 1951).
Excitement surely abounded in Lillington when a T-11 trainee-bomber plane went down in a cornfield. The fliers escaped death. They were flying from Alexander, Louisiana to Pope Air Force Base (Daily Record August 3, 1951). Question—does anyone remember when a plane (jet) crashed near Coats?
The paper printed that Lois Smith of Coats had married Homer Dawson of Dunn, N.C. (Daily Record August 3, 1951). Some of you will remember that a Lois Smith was an outstanding basketball player and student a few years back.
Four families of the Coats Jr. Order #317 motored to Lexington to visit the Jr. Order Children’s Home. Those making the trip were Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Norris, Sr. and son J.D., Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Delmer Ennis and children, Margie and Kenneth; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Dupree, and Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Ennis (Daily Record August 9, 1951).
Did any of you attend Coats School when there was no chain link fence around the campus? Is one there now? This I do know. When the students returned to school at Coats for the 1951-52 year, they discovered a new addition on the campus. There was a new woven wire fence to protect the school from the nearby busy highway (Daily Record August 14, 1951).
A young, blond theater employee admitted only through the grace of God that all five youths in his car were not killed when he tried to outrun the law. Those hurt were Eddie Vaughan, Franklin Stewart, W.M. Allen, Sherrill Willis, and Bo Bo Godwin who was not hurt. By the way, Eddie who was seriously injured in that wreck is one of the hardworking volunteers and financial donors at the museum.
Did they have seat belts in cars in 1951? I do know that Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Langdon had married and planned to live in Coats. The wedding had taken place in Lexington, N.C. Mrs. Langdon had taught in Kannapolis and in the Sanford School system. She was a graduate of Appalachian State Teachers College (Daily Record August 31, 1951).
The senior class of 1952 must surely have been excited that their final year at Coats had arrived. Their high school history had begun in 1948 when seventy-four boys and girls had entered the portals of Coats High School wrote Ruth Denning, class historian in 1952. She recalled that they were “green, stumbling in and out of classrooms, talking and chewing gum”, but thanks to Mr. Ray Coon and Mr. Cecil Fuquay, Miss Denning said they had survived their freshman year.
As sophomores, Denning said the class had lived up and earned the title “silly sophomores”. She remembered that only seven of the class had earned grades qualifying them for the Beta Club.
As “jolly juniors”, the Class of 1952 played but worked according to Denning. Sue Langdon was chosen chief marshal. During their senior year, the class stepped into the role of “dignified seniors”. Realizing the importance and responsibilities of class officers, the seniors elected Sue Langdon, president; Edna Avery, vice president; Dorothy Jean Barnes, secretary; Ruth Denning, treasurer; and Laura Grace Ennis, reporter. Peggy Pollard and Joe tart were picked as mascots.
The “Spotlight” staff was selected to publish the school’s current events in the 1951-52 school term. Ruth Denning was editor-in-chief; Jo Ann Ennis, assistant editor; Peggy Senter, business manager; Melba Clayton, humor editor; Floyd McLamb, circulation manager; Laura Grace Ennis, art editor; and Edna Mae Avery, reporter.
The 1952 Echo yearbook was headed by Edna Mae Avery and Laura Grace Ennis was associate editor. Peggy Senter served as business manager with Melvia Williams as assistant manager. Circulation manager was Garnie Edwards and Maynard Moran held the position of advertising manager. Jimmy Vaughn was sports editor. Betty Maness, Gertrude Byrd, and Clara Stephenson were art editors.
The girls FHA selected and supported their club officers for 1951-52. Jean Godwin, song leader; Mamie Ruth Denning, reporter were led by President Fannie Sue Langdon while Faye Dean Moore was vice-president. Jo Ann Ennis kept the records as secretary and Bobbie Gray Turlington handled the club’s finances. Hettie Jean Byrd and Annie Lou Norris were also officers.
In the boys club of FFA, officers were also working hard for the group. Officers in 1951-52 were Donnie Pollard, secretary; Delano Whittington, vice president; Dennis Pope, president; and D.C. Ryals and Donald Blalock served in other leadership roles.
The Student Council officers were selected by all the high school student body and they had elected Dennis Pope- president, Marylyn Yarley- vice president and Ann Pleasant-secretary (The Echo-1952).
How many of you can remember voting on what was referred to as “Class Superlatives” when you were seniors in high school? There were some who likely left the senior class meeting with smiles while others felt tears in their eyes. Those students in the class of 1952 who were voted upon by their classmates as representing certain categories were: Fannie Sue Langdon and Dennis Pope- Best All Around; Shirley Fay Gregory and Frederick Byrd- Neatest; Dorothy Jean Barnes and Donnie Pollard- Most Studious; Clara Stephenson and Maynard Moran- Most Talented while Jeanette Jackson and Jimmy Vaughn were voted Cutest; Edna Mae Avery and Bill Gardner were obviously thought to be the Most Courteous. The classmates picked Jean Hawley and Delano Whittington-Best Personality and Melvia Williams and Howard Smith were picked as the Wittiest. The Most Likely to Succeed went to Mamie Ruth Denning and Donnie Pollard. The Beau and Belle of the class were Peggy Maness and Maynard Moran while Sue Stewart and Marvin McLean won the Most Popular. Becky Upchurch and Raymond Jernigan were selected the Most Dependable and The Most Athletic couple went to Imogene Williams and Rudolph Miller (Coats High School Echo 1952). What superlative did you win?
A special thank you goes to 1959 graduate, Sybil Beasley Wells from Atlanta, GA for her donation to the museum and to Ann B. Jones, Lib B. Guy, and the American Legion Post #109 for honoring the memory of Levin Wayne Beasley, one of the museum’s generous donors.
Some readers may recall when Audrey Stewart wrote for the Daily Record. In 1951, she wrote that Mr. G.W. Miller who had been a patient at McCain Hospital was back home with his wife in Coats, and that Mayor J.D. Norris had spent Thursday in Raeford on business. His daughter Shirley Norris had stayed the weekend with Miss Jean Pope near Bailey’s Crossroads. Mr. and Mrs. Earnie Gates of Grundy, VA were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Ennis. Mrs. Wilma McIntuff of Washington, D.C. had visited her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joel Ennis, for a few days while Mr. and Mrs. G.G. Guy and daughter Gerry had spent a few days with Mr. and Mrs. O.G. Lamm. Mrs. J.M. Malone was in Middlesex with her sister, Mrs. P.D. Chandler (Daily Record July 20, 1951).
The younger folks were also hitting the road with activities that took them out of town. Patty Sue McLamb attended the 4-H Club Week at State College where she was the only local girl attending (Daily Record July 23, 1951).
Beautiful Lulong Ogburn, 19 year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.V. Ogburn of Smithfield, won Miss North Carolina. Does she have some local kin? The cease-fire negotiations had resumed in the Korean War. Fluoride’s use was confirmed to be successful. “The Lost Colony” gave its 500th performance.
Back in Grove Township, Robert Stone of Route 2, died at his home. He was father of eight. Sgt. Richard Bruce Denning was promoted to this rank after he completed a training course in International Business Machines in Germany (Daily Record July 24, 1951).
Agreement was closed on the Cease-Fire Talks (Daily Record July 25, 1951). The Five Point Cease-Fire Agenda that was adopted had prevented WWIII according to President Harry Truman (Daily Record July 26, 1951).
Mr. and Mrs. Stacy Whittington and daughters, Carolyn, Lauren and Rebecca Whittington, had visited relatives in Coats (Daily Record July 31, 1951).
Excitement surely abounded in Lillington when a T-11 trainee-bomber plane went down in a cornfield. The fliers escaped death. They were flying from Alexander, Louisiana to Pope Air Force Base (Daily Record August 3, 1951). Question—does anyone remember when a plane (jet) crashed near Coats?
The paper printed that Lois Smith of Coats had married Homer Dawson of Dunn, N.C. (Daily Record August 3, 1951). Some of you will remember that a Lois Smith was an outstanding basketball player and student a few years back.
Four families of the Coats Jr. Order #317 motored to Lexington to visit the Jr. Order Children’s Home. Those making the trip were Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Norris, Sr. and son J.D., Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Delmer Ennis and children, Margie and Kenneth; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Dupree, and Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Ennis (Daily Record August 9, 1951).
Did any of you attend Coats School when there was no chain link fence around the campus? Is one there now? This I do know. When the students returned to school at Coats for the 1951-52 year, they discovered a new addition on the campus. There was a new woven wire fence to protect the school from the nearby busy highway (Daily Record August 14, 1951).
A young, blond theater employee admitted only through the grace of God that all five youths in his car were not killed when he tried to outrun the law. Those hurt were Eddie Vaughan, Franklin Stewart, W.M. Allen, Sherrill Willis, and Bo Bo Godwin who was not hurt. By the way, Eddie who was seriously injured in that wreck is one of the hardworking volunteers and financial donors at the museum.
Did they have seat belts in cars in 1951? I do know that Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Langdon had married and planned to live in Coats. The wedding had taken place in Lexington, N.C. Mrs. Langdon had taught in Kannapolis and in the Sanford School system. She was a graduate of Appalachian State Teachers College (Daily Record August 31, 1951).
The senior class of 1952 must surely have been excited that their final year at Coats had arrived. Their high school history had begun in 1948 when seventy-four boys and girls had entered the portals of Coats High School wrote Ruth Denning, class historian in 1952. She recalled that they were “green, stumbling in and out of classrooms, talking and chewing gum”, but thanks to Mr. Ray Coon and Mr. Cecil Fuquay, Miss Denning said they had survived their freshman year.
As sophomores, Denning said the class had lived up and earned the title “silly sophomores”. She remembered that only seven of the class had earned grades qualifying them for the Beta Club.
As “jolly juniors”, the Class of 1952 played but worked according to Denning. Sue Langdon was chosen chief marshal. During their senior year, the class stepped into the role of “dignified seniors”. Realizing the importance and responsibilities of class officers, the seniors elected Sue Langdon, president; Edna Avery, vice president; Dorothy Jean Barnes, secretary; Ruth Denning, treasurer; and Laura Grace Ennis, reporter. Peggy Pollard and Joe tart were picked as mascots.
The “Spotlight” staff was selected to publish the school’s current events in the 1951-52 school term. Ruth Denning was editor-in-chief; Jo Ann Ennis, assistant editor; Peggy Senter, business manager; Melba Clayton, humor editor; Floyd McLamb, circulation manager; Laura Grace Ennis, art editor; and Edna Mae Avery, reporter.
The 1952 Echo yearbook was headed by Edna Mae Avery and Laura Grace Ennis was associate editor. Peggy Senter served as business manager with Melvia Williams as assistant manager. Circulation manager was Garnie Edwards and Maynard Moran held the position of advertising manager. Jimmy Vaughn was sports editor. Betty Maness, Gertrude Byrd, and Clara Stephenson were art editors.
The girls FHA selected and supported their club officers for 1951-52. Jean Godwin, song leader; Mamie Ruth Denning, reporter were led by President Fannie Sue Langdon while Faye Dean Moore was vice-president. Jo Ann Ennis kept the records as secretary and Bobbie Gray Turlington handled the club’s finances. Hettie Jean Byrd and Annie Lou Norris were also officers.
In the boys club of FFA, officers were also working hard for the group. Officers in 1951-52 were Donnie Pollard, secretary; Delano Whittington, vice president; Dennis Pope, president; and D.C. Ryals and Donald Blalock served in other leadership roles.
The Student Council officers were selected by all the high school student body and they had elected Dennis Pope- president, Marylyn Yarley- vice president and Ann Pleasant-secretary (The Echo-1952).
How many of you can remember voting on what was referred to as “Class Superlatives” when you were seniors in high school? There were some who likely left the senior class meeting with smiles while others felt tears in their eyes. Those students in the class of 1952 who were voted upon by their classmates as representing certain categories were: Fannie Sue Langdon and Dennis Pope- Best All Around; Shirley Fay Gregory and Frederick Byrd- Neatest; Dorothy Jean Barnes and Donnie Pollard- Most Studious; Clara Stephenson and Maynard Moran- Most Talented while Jeanette Jackson and Jimmy Vaughn were voted Cutest; Edna Mae Avery and Bill Gardner were obviously thought to be the Most Courteous. The classmates picked Jean Hawley and Delano Whittington-Best Personality and Melvia Williams and Howard Smith were picked as the Wittiest. The Most Likely to Succeed went to Mamie Ruth Denning and Donnie Pollard. The Beau and Belle of the class were Peggy Maness and Maynard Moran while Sue Stewart and Marvin McLean won the Most Popular. Becky Upchurch and Raymond Jernigan were selected the Most Dependable and The Most Athletic couple went to Imogene Williams and Rudolph Miller (Coats High School Echo 1952). What superlative did you win?
A special thank you goes to 1959 graduate, Sybil Beasley Wells from Atlanta, GA for her donation to the museum and to Ann B. Jones, Lib B. Guy, and the American Legion Post #109 for honoring the memory of Levin Wayne Beasley, one of the museum’s generous donors.