January 28, 2022 Coats Museum News
Inches of beautiful snow fell in our area last weekend but the news in this column came from the Spring when the March 30, 1989 issue of the Daily Record shared that the CACC had recognized Twyford Printing as the Business Focus of the Week. The business was established in 1944 by W.H. (Pop) Twyford. The business was later owned and operated by his son-in-law, Van Stephens. Van was very much involved in community activities and service.
A big announcement came from the Teddy Byrd family. The couple was expecting their second child to join their daughter Samantha. Teddy Byrd had opened the Nationwide Insurance agency that had formerly belonged to Grady Matthews. His wife Shelia’s sister, Wendy Matthews, was office manager. Mr. Byrd became the Nationwide Insurance representative after serving three years in the 82nd Airborne Division of Fort Bragg.
Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Turlington, Jr. had traveled to Fort Wayne, Indiana to visit their son Henry Turlington and his wife Lydia and their son, Graham Henry Turlington.
Speaking of visiting, Thomas Williams and his sister Hilda Pope had their sisters visit them in Coats. Elease Bowling and her husband, Garth Bowling, had come from Florida on their way home in Maryland and Grace Cade and her husband came in from Greenville to enjoy the family reunion. Ruth Parrish’s son, Aubrey Riggs, and his wife Sandra came to visit Ruth. Will Breeden and Clara Breeden were visited by Frazier Breeden and his wife Darlene Breeden and their children Tara and Jeb.
Who recognizes the name Fred Robinson? Many of the Eagle Scouts will tell you what a difference that gentleman had made in their scouting experiences. Rev. Keith Hall and Boy Scout Counselor Fred Robinson presented the Boy Scout, God and Life Award and Pin to Brent Adams, son of J.L. and Shirley Adams at Coats Baptist Church.
They also presented the Boy Scout Good Shepherd Award to Lynda Daniel (Butler), Field Director for Girl Scouts. Miss Daniel was the daughter of Mrs. Thessie Daniel and the late Melvin Daniel and is currently the wife of Robie Butler.
Speaking of Fred Robinson, have you had a chance to visit his Rabbit Ridge Nursery located behind the Destiny Lodge and the Community Church. The ride into the nursery is a wonder to behold and Fred has an awesome stock of berry and fruit trees. A few years ago, our son Bryan and Liz were visiting us from Virginia and decided that we needed some apple trees. Liz went to the Rabbit Ridge Nursery and purchased a Granny Smith and Golden Delicious. They grow amazingly in our pasture and produce an abundance of apples. Until this year, despite the fact that the trees were loaded with fruit, we never got to eat more than one or two of them as they ripened. We were almost sure that the deer who roam our area abundantly heard H.L tell me that he was going to pick the apples tomorrow because the next morning the deer had picked the trees clean-even those at the top of the two trees. This year we decided not to announce our intentions and to pick them on the green side. The apple loving deer had to find another source of apples while we are enjoying the apples we froze by frying (stewing) them with butter, brown sugar and spices.
Carlos Dixon had saved the day for the Senior Center when the Golden Tones were unable to play for the April dance. Carlos provided music by way of tapes. Belle also shared in her notes that sympathy was extended to the family of Mrs. Rosa Rambeau, mother of CACC President Randy Rambeau. Mr. and Mrs. Stacy Wade Norris announced the engagement of their daughter, June Kristen Norris, to Kenneth Scott Royals, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Earl Royals of Erwin (Daily Record Apr. 5, 1989).
Is it just my observation or have you noticed that many people have died recently who are in their 40’s and 50’s? It really catches our attention today because we expect most people to live to be in their 70’s. Wonder if people were shocked when William Larry Lawrence, 47, of Coats had died in 1989? He was survived by his wife Dorothy Lehew Lawrence, three sons-John William, Matthew and Daniel Raymond Dragg-and two daughters Mrs. Barbara Perry and Miss Rebecca Ann Lawrence of the home. A sibling was Dorothy Lawrence and his parents were William L. and Edna Johnson Lawrence. Larry was interred in the Coats City Cemetery.
For those of us who graduated from the old Coats High School, we have memories of the ladies who worked in the school cafeteria. The names Lillian Johnson Earp and Edna Johnson Lawrence are remembered. Until a few years ago, I never knew the two ladies were sisters and were descendents of Primitive Baptist Preacher Dol Johnson, a very prominent Coats citizen.
Now when Irene Hudson Crowder died, likely folks said she was blessed with a long life. Mrs. Crowder was 84 years old and was from Wilson, NC. Her sister was Nellie Hudson Pope of Pope’s Lake in Barclaysville and Bailey Hudson of Erwin. She was aunt to Mack Reid Hudson and Bill Pope of the Pope Stores.
For many years, Mrs. Irene Hudson Crowder would make card table covers to sell at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church Bazaar. She loved the church because her family had close ties to the donation of the land for that church.
Another lady who had deep roots in the history of that church was Mrs. Mae Blackwelder Johnson Coats. She lived to be 91 years old. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Calab Littleton Blackwelder. Mrs. Coats was survived by one son, Linwood G. Johnson and her step-daughters were Mable Bailey, Addie Overton and Thelma Jackson and stepson-Garland Coats. Six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren also called her Grandma Coats.
Death was reaping many people with the Johnson surname with connections in Coats. James Dewey Johnson, 78, of Coats had died and was buried in the Coats City Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Irene King Johnson; four sons, Bobby, Gerald, Charles and Glenn Johnson and three daughters-Mrs. Shirley Lane, Mrs. Sue Thornton and Mrs. Margie Johnson. His four brothers were Stoney L. , A.C. , J.W. and Cecil L. Johnson. His five sisters were Mrs. Mildred Smith, Mrs. Lynn Parker, Mrs. Helen Jernigan, Mrs. James House and Mrs. Maynard Smith. He had 32 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Do you notice how long the list of descendents is from these families? Do you recognize many of the names? If they had named the grandchildren, I bet you would be surprised how many you recognize. For example, did you know that the three Lane brothers were his grandsons? Do any of their Coats classmates know what became of them?
I do know that you should take some time to visit our website coatsmuseum.com and read the names and information about those who are buried in the Coats City Cemetery. The land was made available due the generosity of Preacher Tom Coats and the Dr. Fred Fleming family who donated it for the cemetery.
Speaking of Tom Coats, he has lost another great-great-grandson to death. Danny Wade Coats will be remembered for his ability to tell a good story. Danny was a former Ebenezer Presbyterian Church officer and choir member. Danny has been honored with memorials from his brother-in-law Randy Byrd’s sisters-Vickey and Shelia, from Robie and Lynda Butler and from H.L. and me.
Thank you to these folks as well as to Rhonda and Randy Stephenson who have remembered Kathi Ennis, Alice Lou Roberts and Neta Johnson. Ralph and Lorena Denning have memorialized Mary Stewart, Kathi Ennis, and Alice Lou Roberts. Your acts of love to the deceased and to the museum is amazing.
After we reopen after Covid cases are lower, it would also be an exciting few hours to visit our Coats Museums where you will be astounded at the large number of items loaned and donated by folks in the Coats Grove area. While there, you will enjoy the Boy Scout Exhibit where a plaque with the names of young boys from our area who earned that rank recognizing the fact that it took leaders such as Fred and parents to make it happen.
Inches of beautiful snow fell in our area last weekend but the news in this column came from the Spring when the March 30, 1989 issue of the Daily Record shared that the CACC had recognized Twyford Printing as the Business Focus of the Week. The business was established in 1944 by W.H. (Pop) Twyford. The business was later owned and operated by his son-in-law, Van Stephens. Van was very much involved in community activities and service.
A big announcement came from the Teddy Byrd family. The couple was expecting their second child to join their daughter Samantha. Teddy Byrd had opened the Nationwide Insurance agency that had formerly belonged to Grady Matthews. His wife Shelia’s sister, Wendy Matthews, was office manager. Mr. Byrd became the Nationwide Insurance representative after serving three years in the 82nd Airborne Division of Fort Bragg.
Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Turlington, Jr. had traveled to Fort Wayne, Indiana to visit their son Henry Turlington and his wife Lydia and their son, Graham Henry Turlington.
Speaking of visiting, Thomas Williams and his sister Hilda Pope had their sisters visit them in Coats. Elease Bowling and her husband, Garth Bowling, had come from Florida on their way home in Maryland and Grace Cade and her husband came in from Greenville to enjoy the family reunion. Ruth Parrish’s son, Aubrey Riggs, and his wife Sandra came to visit Ruth. Will Breeden and Clara Breeden were visited by Frazier Breeden and his wife Darlene Breeden and their children Tara and Jeb.
Who recognizes the name Fred Robinson? Many of the Eagle Scouts will tell you what a difference that gentleman had made in their scouting experiences. Rev. Keith Hall and Boy Scout Counselor Fred Robinson presented the Boy Scout, God and Life Award and Pin to Brent Adams, son of J.L. and Shirley Adams at Coats Baptist Church.
They also presented the Boy Scout Good Shepherd Award to Lynda Daniel (Butler), Field Director for Girl Scouts. Miss Daniel was the daughter of Mrs. Thessie Daniel and the late Melvin Daniel and is currently the wife of Robie Butler.
Speaking of Fred Robinson, have you had a chance to visit his Rabbit Ridge Nursery located behind the Destiny Lodge and the Community Church. The ride into the nursery is a wonder to behold and Fred has an awesome stock of berry and fruit trees. A few years ago, our son Bryan and Liz were visiting us from Virginia and decided that we needed some apple trees. Liz went to the Rabbit Ridge Nursery and purchased a Granny Smith and Golden Delicious. They grow amazingly in our pasture and produce an abundance of apples. Until this year, despite the fact that the trees were loaded with fruit, we never got to eat more than one or two of them as they ripened. We were almost sure that the deer who roam our area abundantly heard H.L tell me that he was going to pick the apples tomorrow because the next morning the deer had picked the trees clean-even those at the top of the two trees. This year we decided not to announce our intentions and to pick them on the green side. The apple loving deer had to find another source of apples while we are enjoying the apples we froze by frying (stewing) them with butter, brown sugar and spices.
Carlos Dixon had saved the day for the Senior Center when the Golden Tones were unable to play for the April dance. Carlos provided music by way of tapes. Belle also shared in her notes that sympathy was extended to the family of Mrs. Rosa Rambeau, mother of CACC President Randy Rambeau. Mr. and Mrs. Stacy Wade Norris announced the engagement of their daughter, June Kristen Norris, to Kenneth Scott Royals, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Earl Royals of Erwin (Daily Record Apr. 5, 1989).
Is it just my observation or have you noticed that many people have died recently who are in their 40’s and 50’s? It really catches our attention today because we expect most people to live to be in their 70’s. Wonder if people were shocked when William Larry Lawrence, 47, of Coats had died in 1989? He was survived by his wife Dorothy Lehew Lawrence, three sons-John William, Matthew and Daniel Raymond Dragg-and two daughters Mrs. Barbara Perry and Miss Rebecca Ann Lawrence of the home. A sibling was Dorothy Lawrence and his parents were William L. and Edna Johnson Lawrence. Larry was interred in the Coats City Cemetery.
For those of us who graduated from the old Coats High School, we have memories of the ladies who worked in the school cafeteria. The names Lillian Johnson Earp and Edna Johnson Lawrence are remembered. Until a few years ago, I never knew the two ladies were sisters and were descendents of Primitive Baptist Preacher Dol Johnson, a very prominent Coats citizen.
Now when Irene Hudson Crowder died, likely folks said she was blessed with a long life. Mrs. Crowder was 84 years old and was from Wilson, NC. Her sister was Nellie Hudson Pope of Pope’s Lake in Barclaysville and Bailey Hudson of Erwin. She was aunt to Mack Reid Hudson and Bill Pope of the Pope Stores.
For many years, Mrs. Irene Hudson Crowder would make card table covers to sell at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church Bazaar. She loved the church because her family had close ties to the donation of the land for that church.
Another lady who had deep roots in the history of that church was Mrs. Mae Blackwelder Johnson Coats. She lived to be 91 years old. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Calab Littleton Blackwelder. Mrs. Coats was survived by one son, Linwood G. Johnson and her step-daughters were Mable Bailey, Addie Overton and Thelma Jackson and stepson-Garland Coats. Six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren also called her Grandma Coats.
Death was reaping many people with the Johnson surname with connections in Coats. James Dewey Johnson, 78, of Coats had died and was buried in the Coats City Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Irene King Johnson; four sons, Bobby, Gerald, Charles and Glenn Johnson and three daughters-Mrs. Shirley Lane, Mrs. Sue Thornton and Mrs. Margie Johnson. His four brothers were Stoney L. , A.C. , J.W. and Cecil L. Johnson. His five sisters were Mrs. Mildred Smith, Mrs. Lynn Parker, Mrs. Helen Jernigan, Mrs. James House and Mrs. Maynard Smith. He had 32 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Do you notice how long the list of descendents is from these families? Do you recognize many of the names? If they had named the grandchildren, I bet you would be surprised how many you recognize. For example, did you know that the three Lane brothers were his grandsons? Do any of their Coats classmates know what became of them?
I do know that you should take some time to visit our website coatsmuseum.com and read the names and information about those who are buried in the Coats City Cemetery. The land was made available due the generosity of Preacher Tom Coats and the Dr. Fred Fleming family who donated it for the cemetery.
Speaking of Tom Coats, he has lost another great-great-grandson to death. Danny Wade Coats will be remembered for his ability to tell a good story. Danny was a former Ebenezer Presbyterian Church officer and choir member. Danny has been honored with memorials from his brother-in-law Randy Byrd’s sisters-Vickey and Shelia, from Robie and Lynda Butler and from H.L. and me.
Thank you to these folks as well as to Rhonda and Randy Stephenson who have remembered Kathi Ennis, Alice Lou Roberts and Neta Johnson. Ralph and Lorena Denning have memorialized Mary Stewart, Kathi Ennis, and Alice Lou Roberts. Your acts of love to the deceased and to the museum is amazing.
After we reopen after Covid cases are lower, it would also be an exciting few hours to visit our Coats Museums where you will be astounded at the large number of items loaned and donated by folks in the Coats Grove area. While there, you will enjoy the Boy Scout Exhibit where a plaque with the names of young boys from our area who earned that rank recognizing the fact that it took leaders such as Fred and parents to make it happen.