January 1, 2021 Coats Museum News
This is a new year—one that so many are praying will be safer than 2020. I thought it would be interesting to revisit another time when families prayed for a medicine to prevent the crippling polio. it is from that era that Julia Taylor Gregory shared her memories of growing up in Coats in the late 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s.
Julia wrote about Coats:
“Many, many years ago, in our little one-horse town; Main Street drew local folks, like a circus draws a clown. Let us journey back a few years now, through the old Main Street we knew; to venture a glimpse down Memory Lane, to see if you can remember it, too.
“Stores lined Main Street on each side, with the Depot marking midway; from grocers down to the theater, and the post office was in display. A hardware store, bank and barber shops, helped to line the old Main Street, with the clothing stores just a block apart, oh, but aren’t the memories sweet?
“Every Saturday in late afternoon, Old Main Street was totally lined; with everyone---both young and old, standing and talking ‘til closing time. On Wednesday night at the theater, everyone was admitted free; Mrs. Yarley’s theater would overflow, from front row to the balcony.
“Every so often on a Saturday, a carnival would come to town; with rides and games and side shows, people came from all around. Street dances were a regular thing, with J.D. Norris as the emcee; and many local talents would sing such as Delbert Lockamy.
“Once we had a radio station, above J.D. Lamm’s Grocery store; after school we’d rush up there to give Clyde Stone requests by the score. Some Saturday nights at Coats High School, Hank Johnson and his band would play; with Alan Shelton on the banjo, loud, and Roy Russell on his fiddle, ”Ole”.
“Let’s get back down to Main Street now, and think backwards a little more; can you see the street just as it was, and see the owners of the stores? In memory, I can see all so plain; Clem Godwin raises his right hand and nods, while Tony and Buck display tools and more.
“Eumanese Ennis was another grocer, a business carried on by Earl, his son; along with Mr. and Mrs. Casper Noles who sold gas to keep our cars on the run. Mrs. Lucy Kelly put up the mail, and had kind words for all, and young Ophelia Roberts was there, helping carry out the mail call.
“O.K. and Billie Keene, along with Vic and Lerma Lee; kept us in clothes and shoes, and they always aimed to please.
“Grady Partin and Garland Coats were barbers, with white towels about their necks; while Theddy Ryals and Otis Coats sold groceries by the peck. Haywood Roberts sold hardware, as Nassie, Herbert and J.D. sold real estate; Howard Barnes sold everything from dog feed to T-Bone steaks.
“Marvin Johnson and Maude Avery kept everybody fed. Mayton, Jr. and his dad cleaned everything so it’s said. Oh, no! We can’t forget McKnight’s, king of the cherry coke; not to mention the romantic booths shared over an ice cream float.
“Bill Avery and Graymon Powell kept cars tuned and running right; and Mrs. Upchurch did everyone’s flowers from morning, noon to night. Dr. Fleming was the town’s physician until his untimely death; when Dr. Moore came upon the scene putting worried minds to rest.
“Every morning bright and early, you’d know his car was pulling out; as Thomas Williams made his way delivering mail to the rural route. Every day at noon you’d hear Coats Baptist Church’s bells ring; for Mr. Charlie Williams was pulling on the strings.
“D.H. Surles ran a fruit stand, while Son Weaver ran a store; and Mrs. Lucy was busy sewing, as the Stewart’s ground the corn. A cotton gin stood beside the road, which Fred Byrd owned and ran; and we also had a saw mill, run by Felix Stewart and his sons’ hands.
“I recall a horse and wagon ride to Harnett’s County Centennial Parade in Coats with my papa, Richard McLeod; who brought Gayle, Boe and me to see the floats. The one thing that stands out to me was a black surrey with the fringe on top; with Becky and Dwight Ennis riding along as their horse went –clop, clop.
“Fleetwood Adams and Roy Rogers Stewart were on hand to cut men’s hair’ as Rosie O’Neal ran a dime store with bargains hard to compare. Coats Motor Company was selling cars which kept Guy and Eugene busy on their feet; with Carl Parrish, Dalton Hargis, Aubrey Wood and also Orton Stewart as mechanics, you see.
“Mr. Nichols ran a little store and sold most everything; and Clayborn Norris was the jeweler and he sold necklaces, watches and rings. There was another one, I recall. His beard was white as snow and he lived to be a hundred and he was Bill Dad Williams, you know.
“Every day at the edge of dark, you’d see this man make his rounds in his long dark overcoat. Aggie Godwin was guarding the town. Luke Barefoot’s was a teen’s hangout, where curb service was a delight; oh the burgers we did eat for quarter and drink for a dime.
“Back then everyone knew everyone, and for the most part were related; it was a time when everyone gladly stopped to lend a hand to help a neighbor. The streets are not as busy these days though the buildings do still stand; I can say straight from the heart, to me it was the best town in the land.
“Traveling down Main Street today, it is sad to see the boarded up windows and locked up doors that once were filled with shoppers and glee. Oh, yes, the town has changed over time, with new faces, businesses and such; but all in all, I can safely say, being a resident here is great luck.
“I’d like to thank my parents now for raising us three girls here; for William and Grace Taylor, you chose a small town with people so dear. If I have overlooked anyone, I sincerely apologize; but I could no more name them all than I could count the stars at night.
“I hope you have enjoyed the little trip down the Main Street of Coats with me; I think it keeps one young at heart to recall when life was so simple and sweet.” (Written by Julia Taylor Gregory and recorded in the Heritage of Coats, NC. in 2005).
The year 2020 has truly been a challenging year. Activities that we have often taken for granted now have new value. My mom used to say that sometimes we don’t appreciate something until we lose it. Haven’t you witnessed so much generosity in the Coats community during the pandemic? The Coats Museum has been so blessed with donations to help operate the museum. Susan “Susie” Turlington Mewborn – a descendent of Willis Turlington, Randall Turlington, William Henderson Turlington and Henry A. Turlington, Sr. - has once again given to support the museum. You are appreciated, Susie.
Susie’s mother, Laylon Parrish Turlington was born in 1892 and lived a long, impactful life as did Clara Cobb Barbour who died of Covid -19 on Christmas Eve at 98 years of age. H.L. and I loved and respected this Christian lady and have donated a memorial in her honor. Thank you also goes to the J.B. Smith Family of Fuquay Varina for sending a Christmas gift donation to the museum.
This is a new year—one that so many are praying will be safer than 2020. I thought it would be interesting to revisit another time when families prayed for a medicine to prevent the crippling polio. it is from that era that Julia Taylor Gregory shared her memories of growing up in Coats in the late 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s.
Julia wrote about Coats:
“Many, many years ago, in our little one-horse town; Main Street drew local folks, like a circus draws a clown. Let us journey back a few years now, through the old Main Street we knew; to venture a glimpse down Memory Lane, to see if you can remember it, too.
“Stores lined Main Street on each side, with the Depot marking midway; from grocers down to the theater, and the post office was in display. A hardware store, bank and barber shops, helped to line the old Main Street, with the clothing stores just a block apart, oh, but aren’t the memories sweet?
“Every Saturday in late afternoon, Old Main Street was totally lined; with everyone---both young and old, standing and talking ‘til closing time. On Wednesday night at the theater, everyone was admitted free; Mrs. Yarley’s theater would overflow, from front row to the balcony.
“Every so often on a Saturday, a carnival would come to town; with rides and games and side shows, people came from all around. Street dances were a regular thing, with J.D. Norris as the emcee; and many local talents would sing such as Delbert Lockamy.
“Once we had a radio station, above J.D. Lamm’s Grocery store; after school we’d rush up there to give Clyde Stone requests by the score. Some Saturday nights at Coats High School, Hank Johnson and his band would play; with Alan Shelton on the banjo, loud, and Roy Russell on his fiddle, ”Ole”.
“Let’s get back down to Main Street now, and think backwards a little more; can you see the street just as it was, and see the owners of the stores? In memory, I can see all so plain; Clem Godwin raises his right hand and nods, while Tony and Buck display tools and more.
“Eumanese Ennis was another grocer, a business carried on by Earl, his son; along with Mr. and Mrs. Casper Noles who sold gas to keep our cars on the run. Mrs. Lucy Kelly put up the mail, and had kind words for all, and young Ophelia Roberts was there, helping carry out the mail call.
“O.K. and Billie Keene, along with Vic and Lerma Lee; kept us in clothes and shoes, and they always aimed to please.
“Grady Partin and Garland Coats were barbers, with white towels about their necks; while Theddy Ryals and Otis Coats sold groceries by the peck. Haywood Roberts sold hardware, as Nassie, Herbert and J.D. sold real estate; Howard Barnes sold everything from dog feed to T-Bone steaks.
“Marvin Johnson and Maude Avery kept everybody fed. Mayton, Jr. and his dad cleaned everything so it’s said. Oh, no! We can’t forget McKnight’s, king of the cherry coke; not to mention the romantic booths shared over an ice cream float.
“Bill Avery and Graymon Powell kept cars tuned and running right; and Mrs. Upchurch did everyone’s flowers from morning, noon to night. Dr. Fleming was the town’s physician until his untimely death; when Dr. Moore came upon the scene putting worried minds to rest.
“Every morning bright and early, you’d know his car was pulling out; as Thomas Williams made his way delivering mail to the rural route. Every day at noon you’d hear Coats Baptist Church’s bells ring; for Mr. Charlie Williams was pulling on the strings.
“D.H. Surles ran a fruit stand, while Son Weaver ran a store; and Mrs. Lucy was busy sewing, as the Stewart’s ground the corn. A cotton gin stood beside the road, which Fred Byrd owned and ran; and we also had a saw mill, run by Felix Stewart and his sons’ hands.
“I recall a horse and wagon ride to Harnett’s County Centennial Parade in Coats with my papa, Richard McLeod; who brought Gayle, Boe and me to see the floats. The one thing that stands out to me was a black surrey with the fringe on top; with Becky and Dwight Ennis riding along as their horse went –clop, clop.
“Fleetwood Adams and Roy Rogers Stewart were on hand to cut men’s hair’ as Rosie O’Neal ran a dime store with bargains hard to compare. Coats Motor Company was selling cars which kept Guy and Eugene busy on their feet; with Carl Parrish, Dalton Hargis, Aubrey Wood and also Orton Stewart as mechanics, you see.
“Mr. Nichols ran a little store and sold most everything; and Clayborn Norris was the jeweler and he sold necklaces, watches and rings. There was another one, I recall. His beard was white as snow and he lived to be a hundred and he was Bill Dad Williams, you know.
“Every day at the edge of dark, you’d see this man make his rounds in his long dark overcoat. Aggie Godwin was guarding the town. Luke Barefoot’s was a teen’s hangout, where curb service was a delight; oh the burgers we did eat for quarter and drink for a dime.
“Back then everyone knew everyone, and for the most part were related; it was a time when everyone gladly stopped to lend a hand to help a neighbor. The streets are not as busy these days though the buildings do still stand; I can say straight from the heart, to me it was the best town in the land.
“Traveling down Main Street today, it is sad to see the boarded up windows and locked up doors that once were filled with shoppers and glee. Oh, yes, the town has changed over time, with new faces, businesses and such; but all in all, I can safely say, being a resident here is great luck.
“I’d like to thank my parents now for raising us three girls here; for William and Grace Taylor, you chose a small town with people so dear. If I have overlooked anyone, I sincerely apologize; but I could no more name them all than I could count the stars at night.
“I hope you have enjoyed the little trip down the Main Street of Coats with me; I think it keeps one young at heart to recall when life was so simple and sweet.” (Written by Julia Taylor Gregory and recorded in the Heritage of Coats, NC. in 2005).
The year 2020 has truly been a challenging year. Activities that we have often taken for granted now have new value. My mom used to say that sometimes we don’t appreciate something until we lose it. Haven’t you witnessed so much generosity in the Coats community during the pandemic? The Coats Museum has been so blessed with donations to help operate the museum. Susan “Susie” Turlington Mewborn – a descendent of Willis Turlington, Randall Turlington, William Henderson Turlington and Henry A. Turlington, Sr. - has once again given to support the museum. You are appreciated, Susie.
Susie’s mother, Laylon Parrish Turlington was born in 1892 and lived a long, impactful life as did Clara Cobb Barbour who died of Covid -19 on Christmas Eve at 98 years of age. H.L. and I loved and respected this Christian lady and have donated a memorial in her honor. Thank you also goes to the J.B. Smith Family of Fuquay Varina for sending a Christmas gift donation to the museum.