July 7, 2017 Coats Museum News
It was the early months of 1963 and Americans had learned that NASA’s Mariner II spacecraft had determined that Venus has no magnetic field and that its surface is too hot for manned exploration or life of any kind. In New York, the first major pop art exhibition had opened the Guggenheim Museum featuring such artists as Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, and Jasper Johns. Throughout the country, weight control became commodified with the introduction of Metracal, Tab cola and Weight Watchers (Dickson, Paul. From Elvis to E-Mail. Federal Street Press: Massachusetts, 1999, p 130).
A tragedy had struck a Coats family when the father was killed instantly in a wreck on NC 55 south of Coats. Eugene Herbert “Gene” Weaver was employed by Clyde Ennis’s service station. Rev. Carey Watkins had conducted Mr. Weaver’s services at Prospect. Mr. Weaver was survived by his wife, Doris Suggs Weaver; two sons-Gary and Michael Weaver; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wade Weaver; two sisters, Mrs. Blanche Turlington and Mrs. Glenda Upchurch; four brothers-Robert, Fred, Bobby and Wade Weaver. Mrs. Cora Moore was his maternal grandmother (Daily Record Mar. 18, 1963).
Doris, Gene’s Weaver widow, often came by the museum for short chats and her sister and she even came by to gift the midwife’s tools of Mrs. Mattie Suggs. Doris would bring dear friends by to tour the museum and shared her son- US Navy Commander (Retired) Michael Weaver’s dress uniform and lots of Michael‘s military memorabilia for display in our military exhibit last year. We really miss Doris’s visits since she has moved to the mountains to be near Michael.
Good news came to the Joseph Edward Jones family. The family announced the birth of a son on March 22nd. The mother was the former L. Ruth West. Anyone know his name? I do know that Norma Lee Johnson was complimented with a miscellaneous shower at the Coats Community Building. The guests present were Mrs. Curtis Guy, Mrs. Jo Dorman, Miss Sybil Beasley, Mrs. Ann Jones, Mrs. Jesse Mann, Mrs. Bland Fleming, Miss Mary Ellen Johnson, and Mrs. Joe Penny.
Elsewhere, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Pickett and sons –Harold, Jr. and David-had visited Mrs. Pickett’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Maylon Byrd (Daily Record Mar. 22, 1963).
Does anyone remember the Harnett County Educo Club? The news reported that H. Tallie Dupree was installed as president (Daily Record Apr. 4, 1963).
Another birthday celebration was happening in Coats according to Margaret House in her “Coats Happenings.” Reggie Jackson had celebrated her 13th at the home of her mother, Mrs. Louise Jackson. Those who enjoyed the refreshments of potato chips, jelly beans, orange slices and soft drinks were Bill House, Ann Stewart, Connie Stewart, Kay Stewart, Gary Powell, Greg Beard, Cathy Partin, Clyde Ennis, Jr., Beth Stephenson, Ken Stewart, Tim Langdon, Frankie Dorman, Mrs. Louis Dupree, Mrs. Clyde Ennis and Peggy Senter. Was the theme Easter?
I do know that the Coats PTA had met at the school for their last meeting of the school term. President Julia Stewart presided. W.A. Johnson of Lillington presented the program. New officers for the 1963-64 were Mrs. J.R. Richardson, president; Mrs. Maude Avery, vice- president; Mrs. Mary Cole, treasurer and Mrs. Virginia Penny, secretary (Daily Record Apr. 4, 1963).
Someone played a sneaky prank at a party hosted by Charles and Rachel Ennis. The couple entertained at a steak cookout and secretly recorded the conversation of the ladies as they prepared dinner. Those who enjoyed the cookout were Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Benner, Mr. and Mrs. Norfleet Gardner, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Penny, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Earl Stewart, Mr. and Mrs. Don O’Quinn, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lee, and Mr. and Mrs. Carlie Stevens (Daily Record Apr. 10, 1963).
Miss Norma Lee Johnson of Coats, whose marriage to David Edsel Nordan was planned for April 12th, was extended a bridal courtesy by her aunt, Mrs. Edison Johnson of Durham, at the Durham Room of the Jack Tar Hotel. Does this food sound tasty? Grape Shrub, chicken a la king, string beans with almonds, spiced peaches and lime parfait were served to the folks from Coats area who attended: Mrs. Jesse Ray Mann, Mrs. Joe M. Johnson, Mrs. Donnie Dorman, Mrs. Jimmy Jones and Miss Eloise Johnson (Daily Record Apr. 10, 1963).
Mrs. Sallie Parrish of Coats celebrated her 70th birthday with a picnic dinner at the Coats Community Building. Six of her eight children attended along with a hundred relatives and friends. Her children who attended were Mrs. Velma Benson, Aldridge Parrish, Enos Parrish, Mrs. Hardy Hicks, Mrs. Glenn Stephenson and Mrs. Layton Godwin. Her siblings – Mrs. Mrs. Ila Weaver, Mrs. Sadie Johnson, and Percy Adams helped her celebrate (Daily Record Apr. 12, 1963).
The folks in the Grove area were a busy bunch. The Turlington HD Club had met at the home of Mrs. C.D. Turner. Mrs. H.A. Turlington, Sr., Mrs. Charlie Williams, Mrs. M.C. Stewart, Mrs. Paul Turlington and Mrs. W.R. Langdon participated in the demonstration- “Care of Upholstery and Rugs.”Just for recreation, all the ladies made Easter hats from crepe paper and later had a picture taken as they were modeled.
Harnett County’s oldest mayor, C.J. Turlington, did not run for another term. He was believed to be the oldest mayor in NC. According to the news article, he began as a town councilman and was mayor for 37 years, beginning in 1928. Three other councilmen did not seek reelection: Lester Williams (two 2-year terms), Cecil Fuquay (one term), and Charlie Williams (several terms).
Nassie Dorman agreed to run again after completing his first term. Nominated for mayor at the mass meeting were Godfrey Beasley, a retired military veteran, and Clyde Ennis, a merchant. Nominated for town council were Nassie Dorman, Junior Upchurch, Lee Tom Barefoot, Otis Coats, Rev. B.L. Godwin, Chester Ennis, and Curtis Parker.
Mayor Turlington pointed out to the group that it was a sacrifice for anyone to serve. The mayor made $365.00 per year while the councilmen made $50.00 per year and the clerk of the board, elected by the board, was paid $100 for his year’s work.
Mayor Turlington had retired from Erwin Mill’s cotton department in 1955. One of his proudest accomplishments was a modern water system for the town. His wife, Ida Coats Turlington, was the daughter of Elder Tom Coats and Nancy Isabella Turlington Coats. Their three children were Charles
Turlington, a Benson banker; Hugh Turlington, electronic technician with Texaco in Richmond, VA, and Mrs. Ben Forbis of Raleigh (Daily Record Apr. 19, 1963).
The article stated that Turlington was believed to be the oldest mayor. Let’s see how old he was. He died in July of 1965 and was born in 1890. How old was he when he died? Did you calculate that he was 75 years-old so how old was he when he decided not to run for another term?
Just for interest shall we trace the political service of C.J. Turlington. Records indicate that he first served as councilman under the 11th Mayor W.R. Roycroft in 1931. He then served under the 12th Mayor W.E. Nichols in 1933 and under the 13th mayor, A.F. Grimes, who resigned a few months into his 1935 term due to illness and was replaced by the 14th Mayor P.F. Pope in November of 1935. J.B. Williams was elected as 15th mayor in 1937 and served until 1945. Mr. Turlington served on the board under all those terms of Williams. In 1945, the 16th mayor was C.J. Turlington and was reelected in 1947. In 1949, Vic Lee was elected as the 17th mayor but resigned after he moved out of town to his new house and he was replaced by the 18th mayor who was David Norris. Mr. Turlington did not serve under Lee or Norris nor under the 19th Mayor Gene Stewart (son of Felix Stewart) in 1955. However, he did return as the 20th mayor from 1957 until 1963 when he retired from political service (The Heritage of Coats North Carolina 2005-Volume 1, pp.75-76). Can you figure out how many years he served as a councilman and how many years as mayor?
Mr. and Mrs. John Powell Cole, Sr. had announced the birth of son, Carlie LeMai Cole, at Betsy Johnson Memorial Hospital. The mother was the former Elma Irene Dorman (Daily Record Apr. 26, 1963).
The Coats Junior Order had played host to the members of the Fraternal Order at Luke’s Café. J.D. Norris was Councilor of the Coats group (Daily Record Apr. 29, 1963).
Several events are being planned for the Heritage Square. Saturday morning, August 5th, from 10-12, there is the opportunity for families to gather and share pictures and information with each other to update or start their family’s stories. It would be helpful for a member of the family to reserve a table.
We know many families have collections or pieces of Depression glass. Our new board member Myrtle Bridges has been collecting Depression glass patterns since the 1970’s. We are planning to allow individuals to bring by a few pieces and let Myrtle identify the pattern and in some cases the value of it if it is listed in her numerous collections of books. It will be similar to the Antique Road Show. It should be fun and informative.
The volunteers really enjoyed a visit from the descendents of Dr. John Sanders Neighbors who was a doctor during the Civil War. Becky Adams was delighted to share old pictures and info to these visitors who came from as far away as Virginia and Kentucky. We also enjoyed a visit from Clyde Ennis, Jr. from Lewisville who came by for info on the Stephenson and Harmon families. He was spending a few days with his Aunt Millie Harmon Wiggins of Campbell University and they were talking family genealogy.
It was the early months of 1963 and Americans had learned that NASA’s Mariner II spacecraft had determined that Venus has no magnetic field and that its surface is too hot for manned exploration or life of any kind. In New York, the first major pop art exhibition had opened the Guggenheim Museum featuring such artists as Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, and Jasper Johns. Throughout the country, weight control became commodified with the introduction of Metracal, Tab cola and Weight Watchers (Dickson, Paul. From Elvis to E-Mail. Federal Street Press: Massachusetts, 1999, p 130).
A tragedy had struck a Coats family when the father was killed instantly in a wreck on NC 55 south of Coats. Eugene Herbert “Gene” Weaver was employed by Clyde Ennis’s service station. Rev. Carey Watkins had conducted Mr. Weaver’s services at Prospect. Mr. Weaver was survived by his wife, Doris Suggs Weaver; two sons-Gary and Michael Weaver; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wade Weaver; two sisters, Mrs. Blanche Turlington and Mrs. Glenda Upchurch; four brothers-Robert, Fred, Bobby and Wade Weaver. Mrs. Cora Moore was his maternal grandmother (Daily Record Mar. 18, 1963).
Doris, Gene’s Weaver widow, often came by the museum for short chats and her sister and she even came by to gift the midwife’s tools of Mrs. Mattie Suggs. Doris would bring dear friends by to tour the museum and shared her son- US Navy Commander (Retired) Michael Weaver’s dress uniform and lots of Michael‘s military memorabilia for display in our military exhibit last year. We really miss Doris’s visits since she has moved to the mountains to be near Michael.
Good news came to the Joseph Edward Jones family. The family announced the birth of a son on March 22nd. The mother was the former L. Ruth West. Anyone know his name? I do know that Norma Lee Johnson was complimented with a miscellaneous shower at the Coats Community Building. The guests present were Mrs. Curtis Guy, Mrs. Jo Dorman, Miss Sybil Beasley, Mrs. Ann Jones, Mrs. Jesse Mann, Mrs. Bland Fleming, Miss Mary Ellen Johnson, and Mrs. Joe Penny.
Elsewhere, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Pickett and sons –Harold, Jr. and David-had visited Mrs. Pickett’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Maylon Byrd (Daily Record Mar. 22, 1963).
Does anyone remember the Harnett County Educo Club? The news reported that H. Tallie Dupree was installed as president (Daily Record Apr. 4, 1963).
Another birthday celebration was happening in Coats according to Margaret House in her “Coats Happenings.” Reggie Jackson had celebrated her 13th at the home of her mother, Mrs. Louise Jackson. Those who enjoyed the refreshments of potato chips, jelly beans, orange slices and soft drinks were Bill House, Ann Stewart, Connie Stewart, Kay Stewart, Gary Powell, Greg Beard, Cathy Partin, Clyde Ennis, Jr., Beth Stephenson, Ken Stewart, Tim Langdon, Frankie Dorman, Mrs. Louis Dupree, Mrs. Clyde Ennis and Peggy Senter. Was the theme Easter?
I do know that the Coats PTA had met at the school for their last meeting of the school term. President Julia Stewart presided. W.A. Johnson of Lillington presented the program. New officers for the 1963-64 were Mrs. J.R. Richardson, president; Mrs. Maude Avery, vice- president; Mrs. Mary Cole, treasurer and Mrs. Virginia Penny, secretary (Daily Record Apr. 4, 1963).
Someone played a sneaky prank at a party hosted by Charles and Rachel Ennis. The couple entertained at a steak cookout and secretly recorded the conversation of the ladies as they prepared dinner. Those who enjoyed the cookout were Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Benner, Mr. and Mrs. Norfleet Gardner, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Penny, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Earl Stewart, Mr. and Mrs. Don O’Quinn, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lee, and Mr. and Mrs. Carlie Stevens (Daily Record Apr. 10, 1963).
Miss Norma Lee Johnson of Coats, whose marriage to David Edsel Nordan was planned for April 12th, was extended a bridal courtesy by her aunt, Mrs. Edison Johnson of Durham, at the Durham Room of the Jack Tar Hotel. Does this food sound tasty? Grape Shrub, chicken a la king, string beans with almonds, spiced peaches and lime parfait were served to the folks from Coats area who attended: Mrs. Jesse Ray Mann, Mrs. Joe M. Johnson, Mrs. Donnie Dorman, Mrs. Jimmy Jones and Miss Eloise Johnson (Daily Record Apr. 10, 1963).
Mrs. Sallie Parrish of Coats celebrated her 70th birthday with a picnic dinner at the Coats Community Building. Six of her eight children attended along with a hundred relatives and friends. Her children who attended were Mrs. Velma Benson, Aldridge Parrish, Enos Parrish, Mrs. Hardy Hicks, Mrs. Glenn Stephenson and Mrs. Layton Godwin. Her siblings – Mrs. Mrs. Ila Weaver, Mrs. Sadie Johnson, and Percy Adams helped her celebrate (Daily Record Apr. 12, 1963).
The folks in the Grove area were a busy bunch. The Turlington HD Club had met at the home of Mrs. C.D. Turner. Mrs. H.A. Turlington, Sr., Mrs. Charlie Williams, Mrs. M.C. Stewart, Mrs. Paul Turlington and Mrs. W.R. Langdon participated in the demonstration- “Care of Upholstery and Rugs.”Just for recreation, all the ladies made Easter hats from crepe paper and later had a picture taken as they were modeled.
Harnett County’s oldest mayor, C.J. Turlington, did not run for another term. He was believed to be the oldest mayor in NC. According to the news article, he began as a town councilman and was mayor for 37 years, beginning in 1928. Three other councilmen did not seek reelection: Lester Williams (two 2-year terms), Cecil Fuquay (one term), and Charlie Williams (several terms).
Nassie Dorman agreed to run again after completing his first term. Nominated for mayor at the mass meeting were Godfrey Beasley, a retired military veteran, and Clyde Ennis, a merchant. Nominated for town council were Nassie Dorman, Junior Upchurch, Lee Tom Barefoot, Otis Coats, Rev. B.L. Godwin, Chester Ennis, and Curtis Parker.
Mayor Turlington pointed out to the group that it was a sacrifice for anyone to serve. The mayor made $365.00 per year while the councilmen made $50.00 per year and the clerk of the board, elected by the board, was paid $100 for his year’s work.
Mayor Turlington had retired from Erwin Mill’s cotton department in 1955. One of his proudest accomplishments was a modern water system for the town. His wife, Ida Coats Turlington, was the daughter of Elder Tom Coats and Nancy Isabella Turlington Coats. Their three children were Charles
Turlington, a Benson banker; Hugh Turlington, electronic technician with Texaco in Richmond, VA, and Mrs. Ben Forbis of Raleigh (Daily Record Apr. 19, 1963).
The article stated that Turlington was believed to be the oldest mayor. Let’s see how old he was. He died in July of 1965 and was born in 1890. How old was he when he died? Did you calculate that he was 75 years-old so how old was he when he decided not to run for another term?
Just for interest shall we trace the political service of C.J. Turlington. Records indicate that he first served as councilman under the 11th Mayor W.R. Roycroft in 1931. He then served under the 12th Mayor W.E. Nichols in 1933 and under the 13th mayor, A.F. Grimes, who resigned a few months into his 1935 term due to illness and was replaced by the 14th Mayor P.F. Pope in November of 1935. J.B. Williams was elected as 15th mayor in 1937 and served until 1945. Mr. Turlington served on the board under all those terms of Williams. In 1945, the 16th mayor was C.J. Turlington and was reelected in 1947. In 1949, Vic Lee was elected as the 17th mayor but resigned after he moved out of town to his new house and he was replaced by the 18th mayor who was David Norris. Mr. Turlington did not serve under Lee or Norris nor under the 19th Mayor Gene Stewart (son of Felix Stewart) in 1955. However, he did return as the 20th mayor from 1957 until 1963 when he retired from political service (The Heritage of Coats North Carolina 2005-Volume 1, pp.75-76). Can you figure out how many years he served as a councilman and how many years as mayor?
Mr. and Mrs. John Powell Cole, Sr. had announced the birth of son, Carlie LeMai Cole, at Betsy Johnson Memorial Hospital. The mother was the former Elma Irene Dorman (Daily Record Apr. 26, 1963).
The Coats Junior Order had played host to the members of the Fraternal Order at Luke’s Café. J.D. Norris was Councilor of the Coats group (Daily Record Apr. 29, 1963).
Several events are being planned for the Heritage Square. Saturday morning, August 5th, from 10-12, there is the opportunity for families to gather and share pictures and information with each other to update or start their family’s stories. It would be helpful for a member of the family to reserve a table.
We know many families have collections or pieces of Depression glass. Our new board member Myrtle Bridges has been collecting Depression glass patterns since the 1970’s. We are planning to allow individuals to bring by a few pieces and let Myrtle identify the pattern and in some cases the value of it if it is listed in her numerous collections of books. It will be similar to the Antique Road Show. It should be fun and informative.
The volunteers really enjoyed a visit from the descendents of Dr. John Sanders Neighbors who was a doctor during the Civil War. Becky Adams was delighted to share old pictures and info to these visitors who came from as far away as Virginia and Kentucky. We also enjoyed a visit from Clyde Ennis, Jr. from Lewisville who came by for info on the Stephenson and Harmon families. He was spending a few days with his Aunt Millie Harmon Wiggins of Campbell University and they were talking family genealogy.