June 30, 2017 Coats Museum News
The date on the calendar was 1963 and words likely read or heard by the Americans were strategic hamlet (South Vietnam proclaimed that 39 percent of its people lived in such enclaves), blister pack (a dome of plastic covering products on a piece of cardboard resulting in the consumer buying thirty-six wing nuts when only four were needed), and wallpaper music (background music of the kind heard in an elevator or in the dentist’s chair).
In Coats, the words heard were that the volunteer fire department had received a new fire truck capable of pumping seven hundred and fifty gallons of water. This truck and the 4500-gallon tank truck gave the volunteers a chance to better protect the Coats area. A reduction in insurance rates in the area also took place. Volunteers at the Coats Fire Department were Don O’Quinn, Chief Haywood Roberts, H.G. Powell, Buck Senter, Godfrey Beasley, and Earl Stewart were on hand when the new truck was on display. Fleetwood Adams, Civil Defense Director of Coats, and Joe A. Lee, who had served as first aid man on the fire department when it was first organized, were involved in an extensive training program for the Coats fireman (Daily Record Feb. 19, 1963). Question-should Eugene Stewart’s name have been on this list?
This I do know. Mrs. Hallie Stone, mother of Aubrey Stone of Coats, had died. The Elder B.L. Godwin assisted in the services at Primitive Zion Church (Daily Record Feb. 20, 1963).
Willey R. Miller, 64, of Dunn Route 3, had died on Sunday. Services were held at Hodges Chapel Church. He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Blanche M. Miller; two daughters-Mrs. Sherrill Parker and Mrs. Otis Byrd; two sons-R.C. Miller and Donald Miller; three brothers-Johnny, Charlie and Emery L. Miller. Mrs. J.K. Griffis was his sister (Daily Record Feb. 20, 1963).
The Coats Chapter of FFA, a winner of state and national honors, had Joe Hunt, former Speaker of the State House, as the speaker of the Father –Son Banquet (Daily Record Feb.21. 1963).
The Ruth Eller Class from Coats Baptist had met at the home of Betty Gregory. Mrs. Jeanette Johnson, Mrs. Wilma Byrd, Mrs. Dorothy Whittington, Mrs. Mary Jo Mann, Mrs. Clara Langdon, Mrs. Belle Williams, and Mrs. Hilda Pope presented the program “Our Response to God’s Love” to the following members: Mrs. Frances Langdon (teacher), Mrs. Eloise Lee, Mrs. Belle Williams, Mrs. Sue Benner, Mrs. Clara Langdon, Mrs. Wilma Byrd, Mrs. Annie Laura Lee, Mrs. Nina Barnes, Mrs. Mary Stevens, Mrs. Betty Johnson, Mrs. Darwin Whittington, Mrs. Jean Coats, Mrs. Jeanette Johnson, Mrs. Hilda Pope, Mrs. Mary Jo Mann, Mrs. Rachel Ennis and Mrs. Ruth Barefoot.
Another group of ladies from Coats Baptist also had a meeting and met at the church with Mrs. Ihrie Wiggins and Mrs. Lucy Kelly in charge. Members present were Mrs. Hazel Barnes, Mrs. Cora Regan, Mrs. Mabel Barnes, Mrs. Newton Byrd, Mrs. Iris Barnes, Miss Mattie Bain, Mrs. Myra Bryant, Mrs. Ora Parrish, and Mrs. Charlie Williams (Daily Record Feb. 27, 1963).
The Father- Son FFA Banquet had been the time to present honors to worthy students. Chapter President Thomas Stephenson presided and Jerry Ferrell gave the invocation. Larry Rose recited the accomplishments of the club during the event. G.R. Stephenson and Gary Denning presented the awards to the following students: Thomas Stephenson (1st), Ronnie Parrish (2nd), and Danny McLamb (3rd) in crop production; Don Whittington (1st), Larry Stewart (2nd), Billy Coats (3rd) in livestock production; Cecil Stephenson (1st) and Billy Barefoot (2nd) in poultry. Brothers Sherrill Davis (1st) and Kenneth Davis (2nd) won the awards in farm machinery. Gerald Hayes, Jr., Larry Stephenson, and Joe Gregory presented special awards while Ann Ennis, Linda Ennis, Barbara Strickland and James Williams presented special music (Daily Record Feb. 22, 1963).
Priscilla Ennis, the five year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Ennis had died on Wednesday. Services were held at The Red Hill Church and Ennis Cemetery. She was survived by eight brothers-Donald Ray, Lynwood, Hubert, Jr., Hal, Gary, Phil, Stanley, and Perry Ennis and one sister, Pamela Ennis. Her maternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Ennis and her paternal grandmother, Mrs. R.D. Ennis (Daily Record Feb. 22, 1963). Did another little come later?
Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Lee Matthews announced the birth of a daughter on Feb. 23rd at Good Hope Hospital. The mother was the former Brenda McGee. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Parnell also welcomed the birth of a daughter, Liza Dale Parnell. Mrs. Parnell was the former Frances Jeanette Young (Daily Record Feb. 25, 1963).
Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Gardner Hall announced the birth of a son at Betsy Johnson Memorial. Mrs. Hall was the former LaRue Coats. Yet another newborn was in the Coats area. Mr. and Mrs. James Walker announced the birth of James William Walker, Jr. Mrs. Walker was the former Betty LaRue Prince (Daily Record Feb. 28, 1963). Did they operate the huge nursery?
I do know that Miss Sandra Gail Myatt, daughter Mrs. Estelle Flowers and the late Fred Myatt, was engaged to marry Clifford Owen Regan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Owen Regan (Daily Record Feb. 28, 1963).
Elsewhere in the U.S., young people were serving in the Peace Corps, Alan Shepard had become the first American astronaut to make a space flight and John Glenn was the first American to orbit the earth.
Young girls were playing with the first Barbie doll while others were skateboarding, the newest outdoor sport. Teenagers were enjoying dancing the Twist, the most popular dance of the early 1960’s.
Let’s return to the Good Hope Hospital where Mr. and Mrs. Donahue Stephenson announced the birth of a son. The mom was the former Edna Williams. Let’s now travel on to Betsy Johnson Memorial and learn that Mr. and Mrs. Milton Gale Johnson, Jr. had a son. Brenda Faye Norris was the mother (Daily Record Mar. 1, 1963).
I bet lots of you recognize the names of these couples with the newborns and likely many of you know the names of the babies. Do any of you know where they are as adults? Does Gale and Brenda Norris Johnson’s son have his doctorate in geology? Likely as adults they became ministers, firemen, policemen, dentists, teachers and the list could go on.
One generation prepared the next generation. Was that the case with the members of the Turlington HD Club? I do know that Mrs. H.A. Turlington, Sr. hosted the meeting and Vice President Mrs. Charlie Williams presided in the absence of Mrs. Malcolm Stewart. Several members gave reports such as Mrs. Turlington on gardening, Mrs. Garland Johnson on clothing and Mrs. Mary Langdon on the County Council. The program was on “Buying Figures” which dealt with foundation garments.
Over at Bailey’s Crossroads, the ladies had met at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church. Twenty ladies heard Mrs. Bland Stewart, Mrs. Charles Denning, and Mrs. Roy Denning moderate: “Who Are the People of Our Young Churches?” Mrs. Naomi Hudson, Mrs. Frank Elliott, Mrs. Wade Coats, and Mrs. Ed Creech were participants in the meeting (Daily Record Mar. 11, 1963).
The Coats Baptist Willing Workers had met with Mrs. Nelson Currin at her house. Reggie Jackson led the program on “Wonders of Baptism”. Beth Stephenson, Dianne Williams, Kay Stewart, Debbie Taylor and Denise Currin were in attendance.
Another group of young Coats youth had celebrated with birthday parties. Jennifer Flowers and Ricky Washington had a singular party given by their parents. Marilyn Pollard was feted on her 6th birthday with lots of friends such as Lu Ann Stewart, Cathy Powell, Resie, Susan and David Bowling, Bob House, Scott Walker, Kevin, Michael and Alan Pope, Cavanna and Mike Ennis, Marty and Rooster Poole, Teresa and Terry Dupree, Carl Byrd, Michael Byrd, Pam Stephenson, Mark Parrish and Bonnie Lee.
While his fellow friends were at parties, David Langdon and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Langdon, had made a trip out of town to visit Mr. and Mrs. Jay Eugene Cline in Concord (Daily Record Mar. 14, 1963).
As you read those names, are you made aware that time slows for no one. Most of these young party goers are now parents, grandparents and great-grandparents while some of them are deceased. That is why it is so important that we fill the dash between our birth and death dates with making a difference in the lives of our families, churches and communities.
A special thank you goes to all those who come to the museum to view the past. A visit from Patsy Morgan from the Elevation area along with her sister Judy Blackman from Alabama was enjoyed by Lynda Butler last Sunday afternoon. The ladies have shared for display in our museums handmade spinning wheel, a mantle clock, a woven plantation blanket and many other heirlooms from the Neighbors and Rufus Beasley families. The volunteers also appreciate their monetary donation to the museum.
The museum is fortunate to have dedicated board members. Ralph Denning of Raleigh dropped by to visit and give memorials for Juanita Hudson and Frances Bowden Matthews while Hilda Pope also made a memorial donation for Juanita Hudson. Thanks for individuals such as Ralph and Hilda who are making a difference in the life of the growing museum.
Also a big thank you goes to our Teresa Honeycutt for the immaculate job she does on the museum grounds. Visitors often comment on the beauty of the grounds knowing that much sweat goes into maintaining that beauty. Teresa Honeycutt, David Barnes, Kent Langdon and Sandra Kay Howard have been dedicated board members and the volunteers value their service on the board.
The date on the calendar was 1963 and words likely read or heard by the Americans were strategic hamlet (South Vietnam proclaimed that 39 percent of its people lived in such enclaves), blister pack (a dome of plastic covering products on a piece of cardboard resulting in the consumer buying thirty-six wing nuts when only four were needed), and wallpaper music (background music of the kind heard in an elevator or in the dentist’s chair).
In Coats, the words heard were that the volunteer fire department had received a new fire truck capable of pumping seven hundred and fifty gallons of water. This truck and the 4500-gallon tank truck gave the volunteers a chance to better protect the Coats area. A reduction in insurance rates in the area also took place. Volunteers at the Coats Fire Department were Don O’Quinn, Chief Haywood Roberts, H.G. Powell, Buck Senter, Godfrey Beasley, and Earl Stewart were on hand when the new truck was on display. Fleetwood Adams, Civil Defense Director of Coats, and Joe A. Lee, who had served as first aid man on the fire department when it was first organized, were involved in an extensive training program for the Coats fireman (Daily Record Feb. 19, 1963). Question-should Eugene Stewart’s name have been on this list?
This I do know. Mrs. Hallie Stone, mother of Aubrey Stone of Coats, had died. The Elder B.L. Godwin assisted in the services at Primitive Zion Church (Daily Record Feb. 20, 1963).
Willey R. Miller, 64, of Dunn Route 3, had died on Sunday. Services were held at Hodges Chapel Church. He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Blanche M. Miller; two daughters-Mrs. Sherrill Parker and Mrs. Otis Byrd; two sons-R.C. Miller and Donald Miller; three brothers-Johnny, Charlie and Emery L. Miller. Mrs. J.K. Griffis was his sister (Daily Record Feb. 20, 1963).
The Coats Chapter of FFA, a winner of state and national honors, had Joe Hunt, former Speaker of the State House, as the speaker of the Father –Son Banquet (Daily Record Feb.21. 1963).
The Ruth Eller Class from Coats Baptist had met at the home of Betty Gregory. Mrs. Jeanette Johnson, Mrs. Wilma Byrd, Mrs. Dorothy Whittington, Mrs. Mary Jo Mann, Mrs. Clara Langdon, Mrs. Belle Williams, and Mrs. Hilda Pope presented the program “Our Response to God’s Love” to the following members: Mrs. Frances Langdon (teacher), Mrs. Eloise Lee, Mrs. Belle Williams, Mrs. Sue Benner, Mrs. Clara Langdon, Mrs. Wilma Byrd, Mrs. Annie Laura Lee, Mrs. Nina Barnes, Mrs. Mary Stevens, Mrs. Betty Johnson, Mrs. Darwin Whittington, Mrs. Jean Coats, Mrs. Jeanette Johnson, Mrs. Hilda Pope, Mrs. Mary Jo Mann, Mrs. Rachel Ennis and Mrs. Ruth Barefoot.
Another group of ladies from Coats Baptist also had a meeting and met at the church with Mrs. Ihrie Wiggins and Mrs. Lucy Kelly in charge. Members present were Mrs. Hazel Barnes, Mrs. Cora Regan, Mrs. Mabel Barnes, Mrs. Newton Byrd, Mrs. Iris Barnes, Miss Mattie Bain, Mrs. Myra Bryant, Mrs. Ora Parrish, and Mrs. Charlie Williams (Daily Record Feb. 27, 1963).
The Father- Son FFA Banquet had been the time to present honors to worthy students. Chapter President Thomas Stephenson presided and Jerry Ferrell gave the invocation. Larry Rose recited the accomplishments of the club during the event. G.R. Stephenson and Gary Denning presented the awards to the following students: Thomas Stephenson (1st), Ronnie Parrish (2nd), and Danny McLamb (3rd) in crop production; Don Whittington (1st), Larry Stewart (2nd), Billy Coats (3rd) in livestock production; Cecil Stephenson (1st) and Billy Barefoot (2nd) in poultry. Brothers Sherrill Davis (1st) and Kenneth Davis (2nd) won the awards in farm machinery. Gerald Hayes, Jr., Larry Stephenson, and Joe Gregory presented special awards while Ann Ennis, Linda Ennis, Barbara Strickland and James Williams presented special music (Daily Record Feb. 22, 1963).
Priscilla Ennis, the five year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Ennis had died on Wednesday. Services were held at The Red Hill Church and Ennis Cemetery. She was survived by eight brothers-Donald Ray, Lynwood, Hubert, Jr., Hal, Gary, Phil, Stanley, and Perry Ennis and one sister, Pamela Ennis. Her maternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Ennis and her paternal grandmother, Mrs. R.D. Ennis (Daily Record Feb. 22, 1963). Did another little come later?
Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Lee Matthews announced the birth of a daughter on Feb. 23rd at Good Hope Hospital. The mother was the former Brenda McGee. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Parnell also welcomed the birth of a daughter, Liza Dale Parnell. Mrs. Parnell was the former Frances Jeanette Young (Daily Record Feb. 25, 1963).
Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Gardner Hall announced the birth of a son at Betsy Johnson Memorial. Mrs. Hall was the former LaRue Coats. Yet another newborn was in the Coats area. Mr. and Mrs. James Walker announced the birth of James William Walker, Jr. Mrs. Walker was the former Betty LaRue Prince (Daily Record Feb. 28, 1963). Did they operate the huge nursery?
I do know that Miss Sandra Gail Myatt, daughter Mrs. Estelle Flowers and the late Fred Myatt, was engaged to marry Clifford Owen Regan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Owen Regan (Daily Record Feb. 28, 1963).
Elsewhere in the U.S., young people were serving in the Peace Corps, Alan Shepard had become the first American astronaut to make a space flight and John Glenn was the first American to orbit the earth.
Young girls were playing with the first Barbie doll while others were skateboarding, the newest outdoor sport. Teenagers were enjoying dancing the Twist, the most popular dance of the early 1960’s.
Let’s return to the Good Hope Hospital where Mr. and Mrs. Donahue Stephenson announced the birth of a son. The mom was the former Edna Williams. Let’s now travel on to Betsy Johnson Memorial and learn that Mr. and Mrs. Milton Gale Johnson, Jr. had a son. Brenda Faye Norris was the mother (Daily Record Mar. 1, 1963).
I bet lots of you recognize the names of these couples with the newborns and likely many of you know the names of the babies. Do any of you know where they are as adults? Does Gale and Brenda Norris Johnson’s son have his doctorate in geology? Likely as adults they became ministers, firemen, policemen, dentists, teachers and the list could go on.
One generation prepared the next generation. Was that the case with the members of the Turlington HD Club? I do know that Mrs. H.A. Turlington, Sr. hosted the meeting and Vice President Mrs. Charlie Williams presided in the absence of Mrs. Malcolm Stewart. Several members gave reports such as Mrs. Turlington on gardening, Mrs. Garland Johnson on clothing and Mrs. Mary Langdon on the County Council. The program was on “Buying Figures” which dealt with foundation garments.
Over at Bailey’s Crossroads, the ladies had met at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church. Twenty ladies heard Mrs. Bland Stewart, Mrs. Charles Denning, and Mrs. Roy Denning moderate: “Who Are the People of Our Young Churches?” Mrs. Naomi Hudson, Mrs. Frank Elliott, Mrs. Wade Coats, and Mrs. Ed Creech were participants in the meeting (Daily Record Mar. 11, 1963).
The Coats Baptist Willing Workers had met with Mrs. Nelson Currin at her house. Reggie Jackson led the program on “Wonders of Baptism”. Beth Stephenson, Dianne Williams, Kay Stewart, Debbie Taylor and Denise Currin were in attendance.
Another group of young Coats youth had celebrated with birthday parties. Jennifer Flowers and Ricky Washington had a singular party given by their parents. Marilyn Pollard was feted on her 6th birthday with lots of friends such as Lu Ann Stewart, Cathy Powell, Resie, Susan and David Bowling, Bob House, Scott Walker, Kevin, Michael and Alan Pope, Cavanna and Mike Ennis, Marty and Rooster Poole, Teresa and Terry Dupree, Carl Byrd, Michael Byrd, Pam Stephenson, Mark Parrish and Bonnie Lee.
While his fellow friends were at parties, David Langdon and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Langdon, had made a trip out of town to visit Mr. and Mrs. Jay Eugene Cline in Concord (Daily Record Mar. 14, 1963).
As you read those names, are you made aware that time slows for no one. Most of these young party goers are now parents, grandparents and great-grandparents while some of them are deceased. That is why it is so important that we fill the dash between our birth and death dates with making a difference in the lives of our families, churches and communities.
A special thank you goes to all those who come to the museum to view the past. A visit from Patsy Morgan from the Elevation area along with her sister Judy Blackman from Alabama was enjoyed by Lynda Butler last Sunday afternoon. The ladies have shared for display in our museums handmade spinning wheel, a mantle clock, a woven plantation blanket and many other heirlooms from the Neighbors and Rufus Beasley families. The volunteers also appreciate their monetary donation to the museum.
The museum is fortunate to have dedicated board members. Ralph Denning of Raleigh dropped by to visit and give memorials for Juanita Hudson and Frances Bowden Matthews while Hilda Pope also made a memorial donation for Juanita Hudson. Thanks for individuals such as Ralph and Hilda who are making a difference in the life of the growing museum.
Also a big thank you goes to our Teresa Honeycutt for the immaculate job she does on the museum grounds. Visitors often comment on the beauty of the grounds knowing that much sweat goes into maintaining that beauty. Teresa Honeycutt, David Barnes, Kent Langdon and Sandra Kay Howard have been dedicated board members and the volunteers value their service on the board.