June 21, 2019 Coats Museum News
In 1977, the traveling show of Tutankhamen’s treasurers attracted overnight lines in many places. The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare had banned discrimination against the nation’s 35 million handicapped individuals. Movie revenues had hit a record 2.5 billion dollars thanks to hits such as Star Wars, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Annie Hall. Steve Cauthen, an apprentice jockey, had won 524 races with a combined purse value of $4.3 million. The minimum wage was raised to $3.25 an hour by 1981 from the current wage of $2.30 (Dickson, Paul. From Elvis to E-Mail. Springfield, Massachusetts: Springfield Press, pp.228-31).
Questions: Do you recall that the price of coffee in 1977 was $5.00 per pound? Second question-how many hours would a person making minimum wage have had to work to purchase a pound of coffee? Did you consider withholdings from the pay check?
I do know that Mrs. Ada Cobb Sears, 73, of Coats had died on Thursday. Services were at Rose Graham Funeral Home and burial was in the Bethel Church Cemetery. Surviving were her husband Roy Sears, one son- Carlie Sears and one daughter-Helen Norris (Daily Record Oct. 28, 1977).
From a funeral notice to an engagement one, it was printed that Teresa Ann Tart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Maylon A. Tart, was engaged to Charles Victor McLeod, son of Mr. and Mrs. Victor McLeod (Daily Record Nov. 4, 1977).
James S. Denning was now associated with the Erwin Funeral Chapel (Daily Record Nov. 4, 1977). Does that mean that the Johnson Overby Funeral Home was closed in Coats? Do you recall that James gave the Coats Rescue Squad the hearse to be converted into the rescue squad vehicle? Get Marc Powell to tell you the story about his dad and that vehicle.
Dr. Anne Moore gave her first political speech of this campaign at the Buies Creek Lions Club. She emphasized the need for more representation in Raleigh from Harnett County (Daily Record Nov. 8, 1977).
Ronald Coats was re-elected mayor (Daily Record Nov. 9, 1977).
The HCBOE approved new positions of “school news coordinators” for each school. Mrs. Elizabeth Payton, Mrs. Darlene Grenther and Mrs. Marie Salmon were selected from Coats (Daily Record Nov. 10, 1977). Was this extracurricular work for teachers?
Mr. Johnny Dixon, 59, of Richmond, VA had died. He was formerly of Coats. His services were at the First Baptist Church in Richmond. He was survived by Mrs. Maida Lee Dixon; two sons-Danny and Larry Dixon; three sisters- Mrs. Naomi D. Lee, Mrs. Ruth Benson and Mrs. Glenna Barbour. His brothers were Sherrill, Colon and Carlos Dixon (Daily Record Nov. 14, 1977). Do you recognize some of those names? Was M.P. Lee his brother-in-law and Mary Denning his sister-in-law? I do know that his sister Naomi Dixon Lee was in the class of 1938 at Coats with Mrs. Millie Harmon Wiggins who just recently died. Naomi is believed to be the last living member of that Coats High Class which would have been the third graduating class from the 1936 school building that housed the principal’s office and auditorium when it was closed.
Another death notice appeared in the Daily Record issue on Nov. 17, 1977. Mrs. Lina Johnson Stopes, 70, of Coats, had died on Monday. She was the daughter of the late Oscar and Ida Johnson of Turlington’s Crossroads. Were this lady and her mother connected in some manner with the old Stewart Hotel that was operated from 1912 to around 1938 by Mrs. Mollie Stewart?
The engagement of Miss Nancy Lynn Sewell to David Dwight Ennis was announced in the Daily Record Nov. 16, 1977 edition. He was the son of Wynona Godwin Ennis of near old Oakdale School. That issue of the paper noted that the Henry Turlington family was continuing to win trophies at the NC State Fair.
Mr. and Mrs. Leon Allen Smith of Coats announced the birth of Jonathan Allen Smith. The mother was the former Gail Marie Hargis. Do you recognize these folks as the owners and operators of the Smith Farms Ice Cream in Coats? Surely you will also recognize the name Charles Albert Gregory from Lane’s Seafood and Steak House. He was appointed and sworn in as member of the Governor’s Council on Employment of Handicapped (Daily Record Nov. 18, 1977).
Marine Private Malcolm Smith, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Smith of Coats, had reported for duty with Force Troops, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune. Malcolm was a 1974 graduate of Coats High and had joined the Marine Corps on July 1, 1977 (Daily Record Nov. 21, 1977). We are fortunate to have Malcolm’s dress uniform on display in the museum.
The Coats Woman’s Club had made the news again. The club had a bake sale to raise money going toward the proposed recreational park. Mrs. Betty Turlington worked with the fundraiser (Daily Record Nov. 22, 1977). Is this Betty Parrish Turlington who recently died and was she the wife of Larry Turlington formerly of the Turlington’s Crossroads?
I do know that the Nov. 25, 1977 issue of the Daily Record printed that Susan Annette Jackson of Coats was to marry Frank Clayton Herron. And the Nov. 30thth issue shared that Mr. and Mrs. Larry Parker announced the birth of a daughter –Kristie Rae Parker and that Carlie Glenn Clayton, 30, had died on Tuesday. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Clayton.
Mrs. Betty B. Jackson had won a $229 gift certificate of china from Roberts Jewelry. Mrs. Carolyn Bradley of Coats was affiliated with the pilot reading program established by Gov. Jim Hunt to help students having trouble with some of their subjects (Daily Record Dec.1, 1977).
Once again a Womanless Wedding would take place in the CHS auditorium. The FHA sponsored the event. The Bride-to Be was Alberta (Albert) Gregory; Bridegroom-Daywood Langdon; Maid of Honor Carletta (Carlie ) Stevens; and Bridesmaids –Mazel (M.O.) Phillips, Harriett (Howard) Penny, and Rachel (Ray) Stancil and Father of the Bride –Nelson Currin. The vocalist was Tim Penny and Preacher Man was Earl Denning (Daily Record Dec. 8, 1977). Tim Penny, do you recall the results of this fundraiser?
Mr. and Mrs. Carlie C. Dorman of Coats had celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Their children and Mr. and Mrs. John P. Cole, Sr. took part in the affair (Daily Record Dec. 8, 1977).
Max Matthews, Jr. was the Harnett County Council President for 4-H and was the Most Outstanding South Central District 4-H Male Leader of 1976-77. That’s exciting. I also bet Sandra Kay Howard and Bonnie Lynn Lee were as they were interns teachers. Sandra Kay was at Clayton Primary and Bonnie was assigned to the Gentry Primary School (Daily Record Dec. 9, 1977).
Mrs. Fannie Faye Johnson, 62, of Coats had died on Friday. She was survived by her husband, Bennette Johnson, and a sister -Mrs. Lela Norris (Daily Record Dec. 12, 1977).
Have you noticed the dates on the paper? It’s time for letters to Santa to show up at the Daily Record for delivery to Santa Claus. Alice Ann Roberts and her younger sister Harriet wrote their letter asking for a Super Star Barbie, a denim look record player and records of Bambi, Sleeping Beauty, Mary Poppins and Cinderella for Alice Anne. Harriet wanted a 14- piece Kooky Kook set and two stuffed Benji puppy dogs (Daily Record Dec. 12, 1977).
Farmers had likely taken a break from the fields and barns but the ASC Community committeemen were having their last meeting for 1977. Those from Coats were Graham Turlington, H.A. Sawyer, Charles Ennis, Jesse Ray Mann, and Bernice Johnson from Grove 1 and Rupert Parrish, Daywood Langdon, Junius Denning and Jeff Turlington for Grove II (Daily Record Dec. 12, 1977).
Death came to the Barbour family when it was shared that Junius Alton (Ike) Barbour, 73, had died on Monday. His services were held at Rose Funeral Home Chapel and burial in the Benson Grove Cemetery. Mrs. Beulah Barbour Ennis, Skinner, Sheba and Kermit were siblings (Daily Record Dec. 14, 1977). Many of you have enjoyed the saxophone talent of Don Ennis who is the nephew of Ike Barbour.
Here’s a tradition in schools that has been around for a long time-selecting the Student of the Month. Martha Stewart was the last one for 1977(Daily Record Dec. 16, 1977). Martha is the daughter of Bobby and Joyce Williams Stewart and is the wife of Hank Hurd who served as top administrator in several school systems.
I do know with less than 10 days before Christmas, Kenneth, Jasper and Chasity Walden had sent their letters to St. Nick. Chasity confessed that she was working on being a good girl and would like to have a “Baby Come Back”. She admitted that her brothers were not always so good. Kenneth wanted a Steve Austin Bionic Man and Jasper, Jr. a Quick Change Machine, an Evil Knivel and a surprise (Daily Record Dec16, 1977).
The Ellis family received their Christmas present a few days shy of the 25th. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ellis, Jr., announced the birth of a son, Christopher Thomas Ellis (Daily Record December 20, 1977).
The news from the Coats area as found in the Daily Record and elsewhere in 1977 came to an end with the birth announcement of Elizabeth Byrd Royal. Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Royal were the parents on Dec. 24, 1977 (Daily Record Dec. 29, 1977).
The Coats Museum Board of Directors met last Saturday for its second meeting in 2019. H.L. Sorrell, Chairman of the Coats Museum Board, conducted the meeting and was assisted by Treasurer Robie Butler and Secretary Becky Adams. Rotating off the board were Stacy Avery, Linda Cobb, Peggy Robinson and Gayle Sorrell. New members elected were Patsy Avery who is a retired NC state employee and active community volunteer. She is a Master Gardener and is an avid collector of museum display items. Misty Gil is a landscape developer and owner of the Daniel Christmas tree farm. She works to promote agri-tourism and is also a collector of museum display items. Eric Hollis has been involved with many of the historic events at the Coats Museum over the years. Eric is a genealogist and researcher. Marc Powell grew up in Coats but left to serve in the US Air Force as an air controller. After retirement from the military, he was a recruiter for hospital administrators. Upon returning to Coats, Marc has become very active in community affairs and is a strong advocate of preserving family papers and artifacts.
A special thank you goes to my friend Becky Adams for the memorial for my sister, Sue J. Richey, and to H.L. Sorrell for remembering Larry Knott and Jonah Johnson with memorials.
In 1977, the traveling show of Tutankhamen’s treasurers attracted overnight lines in many places. The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare had banned discrimination against the nation’s 35 million handicapped individuals. Movie revenues had hit a record 2.5 billion dollars thanks to hits such as Star Wars, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Annie Hall. Steve Cauthen, an apprentice jockey, had won 524 races with a combined purse value of $4.3 million. The minimum wage was raised to $3.25 an hour by 1981 from the current wage of $2.30 (Dickson, Paul. From Elvis to E-Mail. Springfield, Massachusetts: Springfield Press, pp.228-31).
Questions: Do you recall that the price of coffee in 1977 was $5.00 per pound? Second question-how many hours would a person making minimum wage have had to work to purchase a pound of coffee? Did you consider withholdings from the pay check?
I do know that Mrs. Ada Cobb Sears, 73, of Coats had died on Thursday. Services were at Rose Graham Funeral Home and burial was in the Bethel Church Cemetery. Surviving were her husband Roy Sears, one son- Carlie Sears and one daughter-Helen Norris (Daily Record Oct. 28, 1977).
From a funeral notice to an engagement one, it was printed that Teresa Ann Tart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Maylon A. Tart, was engaged to Charles Victor McLeod, son of Mr. and Mrs. Victor McLeod (Daily Record Nov. 4, 1977).
James S. Denning was now associated with the Erwin Funeral Chapel (Daily Record Nov. 4, 1977). Does that mean that the Johnson Overby Funeral Home was closed in Coats? Do you recall that James gave the Coats Rescue Squad the hearse to be converted into the rescue squad vehicle? Get Marc Powell to tell you the story about his dad and that vehicle.
Dr. Anne Moore gave her first political speech of this campaign at the Buies Creek Lions Club. She emphasized the need for more representation in Raleigh from Harnett County (Daily Record Nov. 8, 1977).
Ronald Coats was re-elected mayor (Daily Record Nov. 9, 1977).
The HCBOE approved new positions of “school news coordinators” for each school. Mrs. Elizabeth Payton, Mrs. Darlene Grenther and Mrs. Marie Salmon were selected from Coats (Daily Record Nov. 10, 1977). Was this extracurricular work for teachers?
Mr. Johnny Dixon, 59, of Richmond, VA had died. He was formerly of Coats. His services were at the First Baptist Church in Richmond. He was survived by Mrs. Maida Lee Dixon; two sons-Danny and Larry Dixon; three sisters- Mrs. Naomi D. Lee, Mrs. Ruth Benson and Mrs. Glenna Barbour. His brothers were Sherrill, Colon and Carlos Dixon (Daily Record Nov. 14, 1977). Do you recognize some of those names? Was M.P. Lee his brother-in-law and Mary Denning his sister-in-law? I do know that his sister Naomi Dixon Lee was in the class of 1938 at Coats with Mrs. Millie Harmon Wiggins who just recently died. Naomi is believed to be the last living member of that Coats High Class which would have been the third graduating class from the 1936 school building that housed the principal’s office and auditorium when it was closed.
Another death notice appeared in the Daily Record issue on Nov. 17, 1977. Mrs. Lina Johnson Stopes, 70, of Coats, had died on Monday. She was the daughter of the late Oscar and Ida Johnson of Turlington’s Crossroads. Were this lady and her mother connected in some manner with the old Stewart Hotel that was operated from 1912 to around 1938 by Mrs. Mollie Stewart?
The engagement of Miss Nancy Lynn Sewell to David Dwight Ennis was announced in the Daily Record Nov. 16, 1977 edition. He was the son of Wynona Godwin Ennis of near old Oakdale School. That issue of the paper noted that the Henry Turlington family was continuing to win trophies at the NC State Fair.
Mr. and Mrs. Leon Allen Smith of Coats announced the birth of Jonathan Allen Smith. The mother was the former Gail Marie Hargis. Do you recognize these folks as the owners and operators of the Smith Farms Ice Cream in Coats? Surely you will also recognize the name Charles Albert Gregory from Lane’s Seafood and Steak House. He was appointed and sworn in as member of the Governor’s Council on Employment of Handicapped (Daily Record Nov. 18, 1977).
Marine Private Malcolm Smith, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Smith of Coats, had reported for duty with Force Troops, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune. Malcolm was a 1974 graduate of Coats High and had joined the Marine Corps on July 1, 1977 (Daily Record Nov. 21, 1977). We are fortunate to have Malcolm’s dress uniform on display in the museum.
The Coats Woman’s Club had made the news again. The club had a bake sale to raise money going toward the proposed recreational park. Mrs. Betty Turlington worked with the fundraiser (Daily Record Nov. 22, 1977). Is this Betty Parrish Turlington who recently died and was she the wife of Larry Turlington formerly of the Turlington’s Crossroads?
I do know that the Nov. 25, 1977 issue of the Daily Record printed that Susan Annette Jackson of Coats was to marry Frank Clayton Herron. And the Nov. 30thth issue shared that Mr. and Mrs. Larry Parker announced the birth of a daughter –Kristie Rae Parker and that Carlie Glenn Clayton, 30, had died on Tuesday. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Clayton.
Mrs. Betty B. Jackson had won a $229 gift certificate of china from Roberts Jewelry. Mrs. Carolyn Bradley of Coats was affiliated with the pilot reading program established by Gov. Jim Hunt to help students having trouble with some of their subjects (Daily Record Dec.1, 1977).
Once again a Womanless Wedding would take place in the CHS auditorium. The FHA sponsored the event. The Bride-to Be was Alberta (Albert) Gregory; Bridegroom-Daywood Langdon; Maid of Honor Carletta (Carlie ) Stevens; and Bridesmaids –Mazel (M.O.) Phillips, Harriett (Howard) Penny, and Rachel (Ray) Stancil and Father of the Bride –Nelson Currin. The vocalist was Tim Penny and Preacher Man was Earl Denning (Daily Record Dec. 8, 1977). Tim Penny, do you recall the results of this fundraiser?
Mr. and Mrs. Carlie C. Dorman of Coats had celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Their children and Mr. and Mrs. John P. Cole, Sr. took part in the affair (Daily Record Dec. 8, 1977).
Max Matthews, Jr. was the Harnett County Council President for 4-H and was the Most Outstanding South Central District 4-H Male Leader of 1976-77. That’s exciting. I also bet Sandra Kay Howard and Bonnie Lynn Lee were as they were interns teachers. Sandra Kay was at Clayton Primary and Bonnie was assigned to the Gentry Primary School (Daily Record Dec. 9, 1977).
Mrs. Fannie Faye Johnson, 62, of Coats had died on Friday. She was survived by her husband, Bennette Johnson, and a sister -Mrs. Lela Norris (Daily Record Dec. 12, 1977).
Have you noticed the dates on the paper? It’s time for letters to Santa to show up at the Daily Record for delivery to Santa Claus. Alice Ann Roberts and her younger sister Harriet wrote their letter asking for a Super Star Barbie, a denim look record player and records of Bambi, Sleeping Beauty, Mary Poppins and Cinderella for Alice Anne. Harriet wanted a 14- piece Kooky Kook set and two stuffed Benji puppy dogs (Daily Record Dec. 12, 1977).
Farmers had likely taken a break from the fields and barns but the ASC Community committeemen were having their last meeting for 1977. Those from Coats were Graham Turlington, H.A. Sawyer, Charles Ennis, Jesse Ray Mann, and Bernice Johnson from Grove 1 and Rupert Parrish, Daywood Langdon, Junius Denning and Jeff Turlington for Grove II (Daily Record Dec. 12, 1977).
Death came to the Barbour family when it was shared that Junius Alton (Ike) Barbour, 73, had died on Monday. His services were held at Rose Funeral Home Chapel and burial in the Benson Grove Cemetery. Mrs. Beulah Barbour Ennis, Skinner, Sheba and Kermit were siblings (Daily Record Dec. 14, 1977). Many of you have enjoyed the saxophone talent of Don Ennis who is the nephew of Ike Barbour.
Here’s a tradition in schools that has been around for a long time-selecting the Student of the Month. Martha Stewart was the last one for 1977(Daily Record Dec. 16, 1977). Martha is the daughter of Bobby and Joyce Williams Stewart and is the wife of Hank Hurd who served as top administrator in several school systems.
I do know with less than 10 days before Christmas, Kenneth, Jasper and Chasity Walden had sent their letters to St. Nick. Chasity confessed that she was working on being a good girl and would like to have a “Baby Come Back”. She admitted that her brothers were not always so good. Kenneth wanted a Steve Austin Bionic Man and Jasper, Jr. a Quick Change Machine, an Evil Knivel and a surprise (Daily Record Dec16, 1977).
The Ellis family received their Christmas present a few days shy of the 25th. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ellis, Jr., announced the birth of a son, Christopher Thomas Ellis (Daily Record December 20, 1977).
The news from the Coats area as found in the Daily Record and elsewhere in 1977 came to an end with the birth announcement of Elizabeth Byrd Royal. Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Royal were the parents on Dec. 24, 1977 (Daily Record Dec. 29, 1977).
The Coats Museum Board of Directors met last Saturday for its second meeting in 2019. H.L. Sorrell, Chairman of the Coats Museum Board, conducted the meeting and was assisted by Treasurer Robie Butler and Secretary Becky Adams. Rotating off the board were Stacy Avery, Linda Cobb, Peggy Robinson and Gayle Sorrell. New members elected were Patsy Avery who is a retired NC state employee and active community volunteer. She is a Master Gardener and is an avid collector of museum display items. Misty Gil is a landscape developer and owner of the Daniel Christmas tree farm. She works to promote agri-tourism and is also a collector of museum display items. Eric Hollis has been involved with many of the historic events at the Coats Museum over the years. Eric is a genealogist and researcher. Marc Powell grew up in Coats but left to serve in the US Air Force as an air controller. After retirement from the military, he was a recruiter for hospital administrators. Upon returning to Coats, Marc has become very active in community affairs and is a strong advocate of preserving family papers and artifacts.
A special thank you goes to my friend Becky Adams for the memorial for my sister, Sue J. Richey, and to H.L. Sorrell for remembering Larry Knott and Jonah Johnson with memorials.