January 5, 2018 Coats Museum News
As you are reading the first column for January of 2018, you will revisit the fall months of 1967. You will learn that it was recorded that the population of the U.S. was 200 million and had doubled in fifty years. More than one editorialist had used this milestone to point out that it meant that there were 200 million people frustrated with inflation, urban rioting and violence and the quagmire of Vietnam. U.S. forces had taken Hill 875 in Vietnam after nineteen days of fighting and had cost 290 Americans and 1,600 North Vietnam lives.
The 1968 Echoing Memories recorded that Jennifer Flowers had been voted as the FFA Sweetheart. Beth Stephenson and Jenny Ferrell were class marshals during their freshmen year. The sophomore year had seen Beth Stephenson, Marilyn Bond, Jenny Ferrell, Greg Beard, Louise Holmes, Richard Davis, and Tim Langdon inducted into the Beta Honor Society. Ken Stewart had been elected secretary-treasurer of the Student Council. Linda Turlington took the title of FFA Sweetheart. Jenny Ferrell and Greg Beard were sophomore marshals. What had been eighty-six first graders had shrunk to fifty-eight students in the junior class. Ann Stewart was Homecoming Queen.
Beth Stephenson was vice president of the Student Council and FFA Sweetheart with Tim Langdon as her escort. Larry Horton and Ronnie Pope were inducted into the Beta Honor Club. Jenny Ferrell, Greg Beard and Beth Stephenson were class marshals. “Three Coins in a Fountain” made a beautiful theme for their junior –senior prom.
Finally they were seniors of 1968. Red and gold were chosen as class colors with the red rose as their special flower. Tracy Leigh Norris and Charles W. Wilkinson, III were the mascots. Linda Turlington was chief cheerleader and Jenny Flowers was both Homecoming Queen and president of the Student Council. Beth Stephenson served as president of the Beta Club while Monroe Lee was FFA president. Ken Stewart headed up the Monogram Club and was inducted into the Beta Honor Society. Louise Holmes was crowned Miss Coats High.
As you were reading that high school information recorded by the Coats High School Class of 1968, did you revisit your high school years and remember that you held some of those same honors and positions when you were in school? Did you wonder what happened to those students after school?
Let’s revisit the name-Monroe Lee. Monroe was the son of M.P. Lee and the grandson of Seth Lee. Seth had moved his family from the Meadow area to a farm on what is now the Abattoir Road. He had purchased enough land to make about 400 acres where he, his sons and daughters farmed and operated a big dairy that sold milk in all the surrounding towns. I bet you did not know that at one time we had three dairies in the Coats area. There were the Lee Dairy, the Carson Gregory Dairy and the Tidy Parrish Dairy which was almost in the town.
Back on track, Monroe’s father M.P. Lee was loved by everyone and he apparently was a talented musician, a bit of a daredevil when teasing his friends with dangerous antics. He drove a car carrier for many years and also was known to be an inventor of several farm implements. Monroe who graduated in 1968 later moved to Florida and through hard work was able to own several car dealerships. A short while ago, Monroe and his wife returned to his roots on Abattoir Road where he has cleared all the woods and grown up pasture land. His grandfather Seth would be so proud. The rolling terrain is now wired fenced in with several breeds of cattle munching the many green pastures that were so loved by his ancestors. You did note that Monroe had been president of the FFA Club--right?
Larry Messer, Gary Powell and Ken Stewart were football tri-captains. I don’t remember having written about another yearbook that recorded three co-captains; hence, one must conclude that all three of these young men were outstanding football leaders. Patsy Matthews was chosen captain of the girls’ basketball team with Jenny Flowers as co-captain. Larry Horton and Terry McLeod were co-captains of the boys’ team.
Beth Stephenson and Ricky Washington were Mr. and Mrs. Echoing Memories. Class testator was Richard Davis and class prophetess was Patsy Mathews. Jan Ennis was selected as 1968 Sweetheart and Ricky Washington was FHA Beau. Had there been previous ones?
The 1967 marshals were Chief Greg Beard, Beth Stephenson, Pat West, Jenny Ferrell, Mary Ellen Johnson, Mike Hudson, and Sherry Byrd. The group of girls who kept the crowds cheering was Chief Linda Turlington, Beth Stephenson, Marilyn Bond, Kay Stewart, Alice Faircloth, Sybil Lamm, Tomi Barefoot, Sharon Byrd, Sherry Byrd, Susan Hawley and mascot Shari Gardner. Ronald Avery, Lloyd Byrd, H. Tallie Dupree, Norfleet Gardner, and Michael Smith were the men who built the teams.
As we continue to visit 1967-68 in review, let’s note which seniors were selected as superlatives. Beth Stephenson and Ken Stewart had received the “Best-All-Around”. The pair voted “Most Likely to Succeed” was Louise Holmes and Greg Beard. Sherry Coats and Hank Barnes were the “Beau and Belle” and Jennifer Flowers and Ken Stewart were the “Neatest”. The “Cutest” were Linda Turlington and Oliver “Pete” Ennis; Durane Currin and Pamela Sorrell were the “Wittiest “and the two “Most Dependable” were Linda Stewart and Dan Honeycutt. Patsy Matthews and Larry Messer were “Most Athletic” and Marilyn Bond and Gary Powell were “Best Sports”. The “Most Original” couple was Tim Langdon and Debbie Taylor Sorrell. Glenda Norris and Terry McLeod were the “Friendliest” and Ann Stewart and Billy Parrish were the “Most Talented” (Coats High School 1968 Echoing Memories).
School was in full swing and the paper was filled with death announcements. Mr. Roy E. Allen, 52, of Coats, had died on Saturday. Both services were held at the Liberty Primitive Baptist Church. He was survived by his wife Joyce; his mother, Mrs. George Allen; two sisters-Mrs. Betty Weaver and Mrs. Ann Moyer, and four brothers-Willis, Jack, Stonewall and Worth Allen (Daily Record Sept. 18, 1967).
Mrs. Loren Butler Strickland, 73, had died on Sunday. She was the mother of Willie Strickland of Coats (Daily Record Sept. 19, 1967).
As we travel backward into 1967, we also read about the death of another Coats connected man. Walter H. Wood, 65, of Benson, died on Monday. He was formerly a Benson policeman and security guard in Washington, D.C. His survivors were his wife, Mrs. Sudie McLamb Wood; his daughter Judy and one stepdaughter-Mrs. Marie P. Gale; three sisters, Mrs. Hiram Rose, Mrs. G.D. Know, and Mrs. Charles Turlington and three brothers- David, P.B. and Vernon Wood (Daily Record Sept. 20, 1967).
Haywood Ennis, 88, had died in his sleep on Thursday morning. He was a native of Johnston County and the son of the late Lovette Ennis and Kisey Godwin Ennis (Daily Record Sept. 21, 1967). Was this the Haywood Ennis connected to the Ennis Reunion?
Shall we enjoy reading about something more pleasant? Deborah Lee Taylor, daughter of Mrs. Vergie Taylor of Coats, had married Wayne Sorrell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thurman Sorrell of Route 3, Dunn. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev. J. Edward Johnson of Hodges Chapel Church. Ushers were Ted West and Roscoe Williams. Robert Taylor gave his sister in marriage (Daily Record Sept. 27, 1967).
The Albert Gregory family is a well known in both Harnett and Johnston Counties. The couple announced the birth of a son at GHH in Erwin. The mother was the former Betty Bowling. Another baby announcement came from the same hospital and it was from the family of Mr. and Mrs. Corbett Lee Smith of Coats. The daughter was born on September 28. Mrs. Smith was the former Margie Goodman (Daily Record Sept.28, 1967).
The year 2017 has been an amazing one at the Coats Museum. We have had over 1600 people sign into the museum from 43 towns and from 24 states and the museum website is getting over 3000 hits per week. Thirty-nine people and families have donated items which were cherished belongings of their loved ones. Nine individuals and families have loaned items for the museum to display now or at some future date. Being a nonprofit means donations are used operate the museum. Many visitors whether from NC or from out-of-state have given generous donations. Once again this year, those who have supported the museum since the new additions to the original museum have continued to come forth with pledges, honorariums, memorials and love gifts. The Coats Museum Endowment continues to grow and hopefully one day will be able to support the upkeep of the museum. The Board of Directors, volunteers and support team of grounds upkeep, electrical, maintenance and local artists have been remarkable.
The Defenders of the Red, White and Blue book team has completed the publishing of the military book which began with the collecting of military information in 2001. Compilations of military information collected through many military events on the Coats Heritage Square, news articles, website, internet, support volunteers and museum visitors have resulted in a First Edition copy containing hundreds of pictures and information about men and women connected to Coats, Grove Townships and surrounding areas. The presentation of the book to the public is forthcoming to express our thank you for the strong support of the military veterans and their families in supplying needed information.
The museum volunteers give hundreds of hours to the museum each year and because of the generosity of the donors, the volunteers can work on heritage and not have to worry about fundraisers. More donors have come forth with very generous donations this week. Dedicated volunteers and board members Patsy and Stacy Avery have remembered those who started the original museum and to the memory of Florine Penny and Donnie Matthews. Mary Ellen Lauder gave donations to remember her parents-Herbert and McClellan Johnson- and Juanita Hudson, Donnie Matthews and Elizabeth Guy. These generous donations are so appreciated.
As you are reading the first column for January of 2018, you will revisit the fall months of 1967. You will learn that it was recorded that the population of the U.S. was 200 million and had doubled in fifty years. More than one editorialist had used this milestone to point out that it meant that there were 200 million people frustrated with inflation, urban rioting and violence and the quagmire of Vietnam. U.S. forces had taken Hill 875 in Vietnam after nineteen days of fighting and had cost 290 Americans and 1,600 North Vietnam lives.
The 1968 Echoing Memories recorded that Jennifer Flowers had been voted as the FFA Sweetheart. Beth Stephenson and Jenny Ferrell were class marshals during their freshmen year. The sophomore year had seen Beth Stephenson, Marilyn Bond, Jenny Ferrell, Greg Beard, Louise Holmes, Richard Davis, and Tim Langdon inducted into the Beta Honor Society. Ken Stewart had been elected secretary-treasurer of the Student Council. Linda Turlington took the title of FFA Sweetheart. Jenny Ferrell and Greg Beard were sophomore marshals. What had been eighty-six first graders had shrunk to fifty-eight students in the junior class. Ann Stewart was Homecoming Queen.
Beth Stephenson was vice president of the Student Council and FFA Sweetheart with Tim Langdon as her escort. Larry Horton and Ronnie Pope were inducted into the Beta Honor Club. Jenny Ferrell, Greg Beard and Beth Stephenson were class marshals. “Three Coins in a Fountain” made a beautiful theme for their junior –senior prom.
Finally they were seniors of 1968. Red and gold were chosen as class colors with the red rose as their special flower. Tracy Leigh Norris and Charles W. Wilkinson, III were the mascots. Linda Turlington was chief cheerleader and Jenny Flowers was both Homecoming Queen and president of the Student Council. Beth Stephenson served as president of the Beta Club while Monroe Lee was FFA president. Ken Stewart headed up the Monogram Club and was inducted into the Beta Honor Society. Louise Holmes was crowned Miss Coats High.
As you were reading that high school information recorded by the Coats High School Class of 1968, did you revisit your high school years and remember that you held some of those same honors and positions when you were in school? Did you wonder what happened to those students after school?
Let’s revisit the name-Monroe Lee. Monroe was the son of M.P. Lee and the grandson of Seth Lee. Seth had moved his family from the Meadow area to a farm on what is now the Abattoir Road. He had purchased enough land to make about 400 acres where he, his sons and daughters farmed and operated a big dairy that sold milk in all the surrounding towns. I bet you did not know that at one time we had three dairies in the Coats area. There were the Lee Dairy, the Carson Gregory Dairy and the Tidy Parrish Dairy which was almost in the town.
Back on track, Monroe’s father M.P. Lee was loved by everyone and he apparently was a talented musician, a bit of a daredevil when teasing his friends with dangerous antics. He drove a car carrier for many years and also was known to be an inventor of several farm implements. Monroe who graduated in 1968 later moved to Florida and through hard work was able to own several car dealerships. A short while ago, Monroe and his wife returned to his roots on Abattoir Road where he has cleared all the woods and grown up pasture land. His grandfather Seth would be so proud. The rolling terrain is now wired fenced in with several breeds of cattle munching the many green pastures that were so loved by his ancestors. You did note that Monroe had been president of the FFA Club--right?
Larry Messer, Gary Powell and Ken Stewart were football tri-captains. I don’t remember having written about another yearbook that recorded three co-captains; hence, one must conclude that all three of these young men were outstanding football leaders. Patsy Matthews was chosen captain of the girls’ basketball team with Jenny Flowers as co-captain. Larry Horton and Terry McLeod were co-captains of the boys’ team.
Beth Stephenson and Ricky Washington were Mr. and Mrs. Echoing Memories. Class testator was Richard Davis and class prophetess was Patsy Mathews. Jan Ennis was selected as 1968 Sweetheart and Ricky Washington was FHA Beau. Had there been previous ones?
The 1967 marshals were Chief Greg Beard, Beth Stephenson, Pat West, Jenny Ferrell, Mary Ellen Johnson, Mike Hudson, and Sherry Byrd. The group of girls who kept the crowds cheering was Chief Linda Turlington, Beth Stephenson, Marilyn Bond, Kay Stewart, Alice Faircloth, Sybil Lamm, Tomi Barefoot, Sharon Byrd, Sherry Byrd, Susan Hawley and mascot Shari Gardner. Ronald Avery, Lloyd Byrd, H. Tallie Dupree, Norfleet Gardner, and Michael Smith were the men who built the teams.
As we continue to visit 1967-68 in review, let’s note which seniors were selected as superlatives. Beth Stephenson and Ken Stewart had received the “Best-All-Around”. The pair voted “Most Likely to Succeed” was Louise Holmes and Greg Beard. Sherry Coats and Hank Barnes were the “Beau and Belle” and Jennifer Flowers and Ken Stewart were the “Neatest”. The “Cutest” were Linda Turlington and Oliver “Pete” Ennis; Durane Currin and Pamela Sorrell were the “Wittiest “and the two “Most Dependable” were Linda Stewart and Dan Honeycutt. Patsy Matthews and Larry Messer were “Most Athletic” and Marilyn Bond and Gary Powell were “Best Sports”. The “Most Original” couple was Tim Langdon and Debbie Taylor Sorrell. Glenda Norris and Terry McLeod were the “Friendliest” and Ann Stewart and Billy Parrish were the “Most Talented” (Coats High School 1968 Echoing Memories).
School was in full swing and the paper was filled with death announcements. Mr. Roy E. Allen, 52, of Coats, had died on Saturday. Both services were held at the Liberty Primitive Baptist Church. He was survived by his wife Joyce; his mother, Mrs. George Allen; two sisters-Mrs. Betty Weaver and Mrs. Ann Moyer, and four brothers-Willis, Jack, Stonewall and Worth Allen (Daily Record Sept. 18, 1967).
Mrs. Loren Butler Strickland, 73, had died on Sunday. She was the mother of Willie Strickland of Coats (Daily Record Sept. 19, 1967).
As we travel backward into 1967, we also read about the death of another Coats connected man. Walter H. Wood, 65, of Benson, died on Monday. He was formerly a Benson policeman and security guard in Washington, D.C. His survivors were his wife, Mrs. Sudie McLamb Wood; his daughter Judy and one stepdaughter-Mrs. Marie P. Gale; three sisters, Mrs. Hiram Rose, Mrs. G.D. Know, and Mrs. Charles Turlington and three brothers- David, P.B. and Vernon Wood (Daily Record Sept. 20, 1967).
Haywood Ennis, 88, had died in his sleep on Thursday morning. He was a native of Johnston County and the son of the late Lovette Ennis and Kisey Godwin Ennis (Daily Record Sept. 21, 1967). Was this the Haywood Ennis connected to the Ennis Reunion?
Shall we enjoy reading about something more pleasant? Deborah Lee Taylor, daughter of Mrs. Vergie Taylor of Coats, had married Wayne Sorrell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thurman Sorrell of Route 3, Dunn. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev. J. Edward Johnson of Hodges Chapel Church. Ushers were Ted West and Roscoe Williams. Robert Taylor gave his sister in marriage (Daily Record Sept. 27, 1967).
The Albert Gregory family is a well known in both Harnett and Johnston Counties. The couple announced the birth of a son at GHH in Erwin. The mother was the former Betty Bowling. Another baby announcement came from the same hospital and it was from the family of Mr. and Mrs. Corbett Lee Smith of Coats. The daughter was born on September 28. Mrs. Smith was the former Margie Goodman (Daily Record Sept.28, 1967).
The year 2017 has been an amazing one at the Coats Museum. We have had over 1600 people sign into the museum from 43 towns and from 24 states and the museum website is getting over 3000 hits per week. Thirty-nine people and families have donated items which were cherished belongings of their loved ones. Nine individuals and families have loaned items for the museum to display now or at some future date. Being a nonprofit means donations are used operate the museum. Many visitors whether from NC or from out-of-state have given generous donations. Once again this year, those who have supported the museum since the new additions to the original museum have continued to come forth with pledges, honorariums, memorials and love gifts. The Coats Museum Endowment continues to grow and hopefully one day will be able to support the upkeep of the museum. The Board of Directors, volunteers and support team of grounds upkeep, electrical, maintenance and local artists have been remarkable.
The Defenders of the Red, White and Blue book team has completed the publishing of the military book which began with the collecting of military information in 2001. Compilations of military information collected through many military events on the Coats Heritage Square, news articles, website, internet, support volunteers and museum visitors have resulted in a First Edition copy containing hundreds of pictures and information about men and women connected to Coats, Grove Townships and surrounding areas. The presentation of the book to the public is forthcoming to express our thank you for the strong support of the military veterans and their families in supplying needed information.
The museum volunteers give hundreds of hours to the museum each year and because of the generosity of the donors, the volunteers can work on heritage and not have to worry about fundraisers. More donors have come forth with very generous donations this week. Dedicated volunteers and board members Patsy and Stacy Avery have remembered those who started the original museum and to the memory of Florine Penny and Donnie Matthews. Mary Ellen Lauder gave donations to remember her parents-Herbert and McClellan Johnson- and Juanita Hudson, Donnie Matthews and Elizabeth Guy. These generous donations are so appreciated.