June 24, 2016 Coats Museum News
It is fall in the year 1958. A nationwide radio program featured the story of Henry A, Turlington, the former US marshal whose hobby made him an important figure in livestock development. Med Maxwell, the voice of Allied Mills “Let’s Go Visiting”, went to the Turlington‘s Crossroads for the interview.
Elsewhere another wedding was planned in the Coats area. Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Dixon had announced to the community that their daughter, Gwendolyn, was marrying Marx Dunbar Stewart. Friends and relatives were invited to the ceremony (Daily Record September 24, 1958).
The Echoing Memories staff started the 1958-59 school year with much planning. Sybil Beasley was editor and Vickie Lou Lee was business manager. To assist Sybil, there were Carolyn Phillips, Ronnie Langdon, Phillip Nordan, Janice Pope, Betty Sue Ennis, J.E. Byrd, Bland Fleming, and Joy Starling. Helping Vickie Lou were Ann Beasley, Harold Dixon, Linda Parrish, Lois Messer, Sue Messer, and Ruth Lewis. The staff announced the results of the superlatives and pictures were taken for the yearbook. From our visit into yesteryear, observe to learn who they were and think about them today to see how well the characteristics remained with them throughout the years following their selection by their classmates.
Sybil Beasley and Harold Dixon were “Best All Around”. The “Neatest” went to Ruth Lewis and Ronnie Langdon. The “Beau and Belle” couple was Glenda Williams and Jerry Norris. The class voted Betty Sue Ennis and Jasper Cobb as the “Most Dependable” and honored Ann Godwin and Larry Denning as the “Most Likely to Succeed”. Their friendly outlook earned Patricia Ennis and Lewis Smith the title of “Friendliest”. Who was the couple picked for the “Most Popular”? The class thought that Linda Parrish and Billy Pope matched the traits.
Who could sing, dance, draw and do all kinds of gifted things? It had to be Joy Stallings and Fred Strickland for they were voted “Most Talented”. Who knew all the rules of Emily Post? The class said that Sue Messer and David Weaver did and voted the couple the “Most Courteous”. Who was the most cranial pair? No doubt the teachers and students recognized that Vickie Lou Lee and Tommy Denning fitted that description as “Most Intellectual”. Linda Pollard and Johnny Ennis-no one dare dispute that they were the “Cutest” in the class.
The couple who could make people feel good and laugh had to be Patricia Barnes and J.E. Byrd who were selected as the “Wittiest” in the class. Who won the “Most Athletic” pair? The class thought it to be Catherine Beasley and Phillip Nordan.
The little ones in the community were not left out. Deborah Clayton and David Stewart were selected to be the Echoing Memories Class of 1959 mascots while the class colors were pink and silver and the class flower was the pink carnation. Mrs. Helen Stewart was not only the yearbook advisor but the staff and class also honored her with the book dedication.
The Class of 1959 yearbook staff recorded Sybil Beasley as Miss Coats High and Gayle Johnson as the Homecoming Queen. Student Council officers were President Harold Dixon, Vice President Gayle Johnson, and Secretary-Treasurer Edward Turlington.
The cheerleaders who cheered on the teams in 1958-59 were Captain Judy Byrd, Faye Parker, Carolyn Phillips, Ann Beasley, Barbara Langdon, Eloise Johnson, and Lillie Wiggins. Tallie Dupree and Billie Barnes coached the boys basketball team to the 1958-59 Harnett County Champions. Norfleet Gardner saw his girls team take the 1958-59 Harnett County Runners-up place.
Did the schools have majorettes in 1958? Coats did for it was recorded that Margaret Grimm directed Frances Gregory, Cheryl Stewart, Bethany Langdon, Beverly Langdon, and Sondra Ennis. To keep the school folks posted on what was going on around the Coats campus, Sylvia Langdon, Editor-in-chief, and Carolyn Phillips, Assistant Editor, and their staff shared all the day to day news (Echoing Memories 1959).
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Eldridge Parker welcomed a newborn into their house. Donald Ray Parker’s mother was the former Betty Helen Stone. Another birth announcement came from Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Frederick Hawley. The new baby was named Becky Jo Hawley and her mom was the former Mamie Elizabeth Register.
The list continued with birth announcements in the area. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Joyner announced the arrival of Jacob Benton Joyner. Estelle Snipes was his mother. The former Rebecca Ann Weaver and her husband Stacy Wade Norris announced the arrival of Cynthia Ann Norris.
While the stork was making his deliveries, the death angel was taking people away. William M. (Uncle Will) McLaughlin, 81, who had died at his home, was one of them (daily Record Sept. 24, 1958).
The Governor’s Committee for the U.N. Day observance in N.C. announced that Mrs. Delmer Ennis of Coats was in charge of the event during the whole week of October 19-25 (Daily Record Sept. 25, 1958).
A group of citizens several years ago set out to make up the money they had lost with acreage cuts. Elliot L McKnight, Jr., who operated the Coats Drug store, said diversification by the farmers had helped the community to recoup almost all of the $250,000 in gross income (Daily Record Oct. 7, 1958). Does that figure surprise you?
Mrs. Grace Harmon of Coats and Mr. George Harmon of Dunn announced the engagement of their daughter, Delores Harmon, to Mr. Tony Pope, son of Mrs. Kissie Pope Godwin of Benson and Mr. Woodrow Pope of Dunn. Both young people were graduates of Coats and Delores had attended Campbell College prior to working in Raleigh (Daily Record Oct. 13, 1958).
News came to Coats from Pensacola, Florida that Lt. Dewey H. Yarley was now a flight surgeon. He had graduated from the Naval School of Aviation Medicine at the Naval Air Station. As a Naval Flight Surgeon, he cared for aviation personnel (Daily Record Oct. 12, 1958).
Dr. Yarely was brother to Marilyn Yarley and his parents owned the Coats Theater. Dr. Yarley later practiced medicine in Durham, N.C. and had married M. Ann Bell of Marietta, Ohio. Several years ago when museum volunteers were seeking information about all the licensed pilots from Coats, I called Dr. Yarley in Durham. Honestly, I did not expect him to return my call. One night about a month later, I answered the phone with a gentleman apologizing for not returning the call more promptly and explaining that he was just returning from vacation. He was one of the most delightful gentlemen possible and not only sent us pictures of himself with his plane but also sent early pictures of the Coats Theater. He shared that one of his former patients, Edison Johnson, was a Coats native.
Mr. and Mrs. Willis Pope were the grandparents of a new granddaughter, Angela Carol McGee. The proud parents were Derle and Carol Pope McGee.
The Harnett High team won a smashing victory over Richard B Harrison Bulls. Question- were there any African Americans from Coats on that team? I do know that Miss Rebecca Creech had married Algie Cobb, son of Mr. and Mrs. Willis Cobb. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Waymon Creech of Benson. Which one of that couple was manager of the Colonial Stores in Weldon (Daily Record Oct. 16, 1958)?
The Board of Directors of the Coats Museum had its quarterly meeting last Saturday. There is always news to share with them about the generosity of local individuals in giving of their talent, time and financial support to the museum. They heard that Steve Pope from Pope’s Welding had given his time and expertise to weld discs from the Dennis Adams farm to make a separation rope between visitors and the many articles from the farms of yesteryear. They heard and saw that Teresa Honeycutt can be given credit for keeping the landscaping meticulously manicured at the museum and that Paul Parker has kept all the lights burning to showcase our wonderful exhibits. Stacy Avery and Robie Butler were mentioned for giving time and sweat to do work on the handicapped ramp. They learned that 1235 people have signed the 2016 register. These visitors came from 12 states, 36 NC towns and one foreign country. Robie Butler shared all the possibilities of our new software which enables the museum staff to tract all artifacts and financial records of the museum that Robie is entering from past years of our operation, while David Barnes has help set up our computers and security system with a cheaper provider.
The museum is admission free. Small and large groups, young and old are invited to visit for tours of the Heritage and Cotton Museums on the Coats Heritage Square where the small town’s history is on display for visiting, exploring, and sharing.
It is fall in the year 1958. A nationwide radio program featured the story of Henry A, Turlington, the former US marshal whose hobby made him an important figure in livestock development. Med Maxwell, the voice of Allied Mills “Let’s Go Visiting”, went to the Turlington‘s Crossroads for the interview.
Elsewhere another wedding was planned in the Coats area. Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Dixon had announced to the community that their daughter, Gwendolyn, was marrying Marx Dunbar Stewart. Friends and relatives were invited to the ceremony (Daily Record September 24, 1958).
The Echoing Memories staff started the 1958-59 school year with much planning. Sybil Beasley was editor and Vickie Lou Lee was business manager. To assist Sybil, there were Carolyn Phillips, Ronnie Langdon, Phillip Nordan, Janice Pope, Betty Sue Ennis, J.E. Byrd, Bland Fleming, and Joy Starling. Helping Vickie Lou were Ann Beasley, Harold Dixon, Linda Parrish, Lois Messer, Sue Messer, and Ruth Lewis. The staff announced the results of the superlatives and pictures were taken for the yearbook. From our visit into yesteryear, observe to learn who they were and think about them today to see how well the characteristics remained with them throughout the years following their selection by their classmates.
Sybil Beasley and Harold Dixon were “Best All Around”. The “Neatest” went to Ruth Lewis and Ronnie Langdon. The “Beau and Belle” couple was Glenda Williams and Jerry Norris. The class voted Betty Sue Ennis and Jasper Cobb as the “Most Dependable” and honored Ann Godwin and Larry Denning as the “Most Likely to Succeed”. Their friendly outlook earned Patricia Ennis and Lewis Smith the title of “Friendliest”. Who was the couple picked for the “Most Popular”? The class thought that Linda Parrish and Billy Pope matched the traits.
Who could sing, dance, draw and do all kinds of gifted things? It had to be Joy Stallings and Fred Strickland for they were voted “Most Talented”. Who knew all the rules of Emily Post? The class said that Sue Messer and David Weaver did and voted the couple the “Most Courteous”. Who was the most cranial pair? No doubt the teachers and students recognized that Vickie Lou Lee and Tommy Denning fitted that description as “Most Intellectual”. Linda Pollard and Johnny Ennis-no one dare dispute that they were the “Cutest” in the class.
The couple who could make people feel good and laugh had to be Patricia Barnes and J.E. Byrd who were selected as the “Wittiest” in the class. Who won the “Most Athletic” pair? The class thought it to be Catherine Beasley and Phillip Nordan.
The little ones in the community were not left out. Deborah Clayton and David Stewart were selected to be the Echoing Memories Class of 1959 mascots while the class colors were pink and silver and the class flower was the pink carnation. Mrs. Helen Stewart was not only the yearbook advisor but the staff and class also honored her with the book dedication.
The Class of 1959 yearbook staff recorded Sybil Beasley as Miss Coats High and Gayle Johnson as the Homecoming Queen. Student Council officers were President Harold Dixon, Vice President Gayle Johnson, and Secretary-Treasurer Edward Turlington.
The cheerleaders who cheered on the teams in 1958-59 were Captain Judy Byrd, Faye Parker, Carolyn Phillips, Ann Beasley, Barbara Langdon, Eloise Johnson, and Lillie Wiggins. Tallie Dupree and Billie Barnes coached the boys basketball team to the 1958-59 Harnett County Champions. Norfleet Gardner saw his girls team take the 1958-59 Harnett County Runners-up place.
Did the schools have majorettes in 1958? Coats did for it was recorded that Margaret Grimm directed Frances Gregory, Cheryl Stewart, Bethany Langdon, Beverly Langdon, and Sondra Ennis. To keep the school folks posted on what was going on around the Coats campus, Sylvia Langdon, Editor-in-chief, and Carolyn Phillips, Assistant Editor, and their staff shared all the day to day news (Echoing Memories 1959).
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Eldridge Parker welcomed a newborn into their house. Donald Ray Parker’s mother was the former Betty Helen Stone. Another birth announcement came from Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Frederick Hawley. The new baby was named Becky Jo Hawley and her mom was the former Mamie Elizabeth Register.
The list continued with birth announcements in the area. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Joyner announced the arrival of Jacob Benton Joyner. Estelle Snipes was his mother. The former Rebecca Ann Weaver and her husband Stacy Wade Norris announced the arrival of Cynthia Ann Norris.
While the stork was making his deliveries, the death angel was taking people away. William M. (Uncle Will) McLaughlin, 81, who had died at his home, was one of them (daily Record Sept. 24, 1958).
The Governor’s Committee for the U.N. Day observance in N.C. announced that Mrs. Delmer Ennis of Coats was in charge of the event during the whole week of October 19-25 (Daily Record Sept. 25, 1958).
A group of citizens several years ago set out to make up the money they had lost with acreage cuts. Elliot L McKnight, Jr., who operated the Coats Drug store, said diversification by the farmers had helped the community to recoup almost all of the $250,000 in gross income (Daily Record Oct. 7, 1958). Does that figure surprise you?
Mrs. Grace Harmon of Coats and Mr. George Harmon of Dunn announced the engagement of their daughter, Delores Harmon, to Mr. Tony Pope, son of Mrs. Kissie Pope Godwin of Benson and Mr. Woodrow Pope of Dunn. Both young people were graduates of Coats and Delores had attended Campbell College prior to working in Raleigh (Daily Record Oct. 13, 1958).
News came to Coats from Pensacola, Florida that Lt. Dewey H. Yarley was now a flight surgeon. He had graduated from the Naval School of Aviation Medicine at the Naval Air Station. As a Naval Flight Surgeon, he cared for aviation personnel (Daily Record Oct. 12, 1958).
Dr. Yarely was brother to Marilyn Yarley and his parents owned the Coats Theater. Dr. Yarley later practiced medicine in Durham, N.C. and had married M. Ann Bell of Marietta, Ohio. Several years ago when museum volunteers were seeking information about all the licensed pilots from Coats, I called Dr. Yarley in Durham. Honestly, I did not expect him to return my call. One night about a month later, I answered the phone with a gentleman apologizing for not returning the call more promptly and explaining that he was just returning from vacation. He was one of the most delightful gentlemen possible and not only sent us pictures of himself with his plane but also sent early pictures of the Coats Theater. He shared that one of his former patients, Edison Johnson, was a Coats native.
Mr. and Mrs. Willis Pope were the grandparents of a new granddaughter, Angela Carol McGee. The proud parents were Derle and Carol Pope McGee.
The Harnett High team won a smashing victory over Richard B Harrison Bulls. Question- were there any African Americans from Coats on that team? I do know that Miss Rebecca Creech had married Algie Cobb, son of Mr. and Mrs. Willis Cobb. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Waymon Creech of Benson. Which one of that couple was manager of the Colonial Stores in Weldon (Daily Record Oct. 16, 1958)?
The Board of Directors of the Coats Museum had its quarterly meeting last Saturday. There is always news to share with them about the generosity of local individuals in giving of their talent, time and financial support to the museum. They heard that Steve Pope from Pope’s Welding had given his time and expertise to weld discs from the Dennis Adams farm to make a separation rope between visitors and the many articles from the farms of yesteryear. They heard and saw that Teresa Honeycutt can be given credit for keeping the landscaping meticulously manicured at the museum and that Paul Parker has kept all the lights burning to showcase our wonderful exhibits. Stacy Avery and Robie Butler were mentioned for giving time and sweat to do work on the handicapped ramp. They learned that 1235 people have signed the 2016 register. These visitors came from 12 states, 36 NC towns and one foreign country. Robie Butler shared all the possibilities of our new software which enables the museum staff to tract all artifacts and financial records of the museum that Robie is entering from past years of our operation, while David Barnes has help set up our computers and security system with a cheaper provider.
The museum is admission free. Small and large groups, young and old are invited to visit for tours of the Heritage and Cotton Museums on the Coats Heritage Square where the small town’s history is on display for visiting, exploring, and sharing.