March 10, 2023 Coats Museum News
Do you recall reading in a previous column that twins were born to a Bennett couple from Coats? Now a second set of twins were born to a couple from there. Benny and Lisa Hughes announced the birth of their twins-Benny Ray Hughes, Jr. and Staci Ann Hughes. The mom was the former Lisa Riggs and paternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Willie Hughes (Daily Record May 14, 1992).
While the Hughes were celebrating the birth of the twins, Hunter Leigh Johnson had celebrated her first birthday at the home of her parents, Dave and Donna Johnson (Daily Record May 15, 1992).
If you are married, how many wedding anniversaries have you celebrated? To young folks, 25 years sounds like a long time. What if you had been married 50 years? That is how long Mr. and Mrs. Elbert Tripp had been married when they celebrated the event at the Dunn’s Woman’s Club. Bonnie Foushee, Juanita Tripp and Pam Tripp hosted the reception. Mr. and Mrs. Tripp were married on April 11, 1942 in Macon, Georgia where Mr. Tripp was serving in the U.S. Army. Mrs. Tripp was the former Brookie Langdon (Daily Record May 18, 1992). Does anyone remember that she once worked at the old Belks store in Dunn?
This I do know. Patricia Parrish, a sixth grade teacher, had won the grand prize at the first PTO spaghetti supper of the Coats PTO. Jimmy Allen, president of the PTO, announced that $7,000 was raised. He shared that the Coats Elementary DREAM program was selected in the top three in the state for middle school reading programs. At that same fundraiser, Kathy Weeks won a dressed barbecue pig donated by H.L. Sorrell, Jr.
Who remembers that reading program? It encouraged all students to Do Read Every Available Minute. When students had finished an assignment, test or had any other free time were to take out a book and read it. As a former teacher, I well remember that program. Not only did it encourage reading, but it kept discipline problems at bay. What teacher do you think headed that program? If you guessed Marie Salmon, you have a good memory.
As a young person in Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, there was a lady who stood out. Not only was she very friendly to young members, but also she was such a dedicated church worker. Hard work must have been in her blood, because in 1992, Mrs. Geneva Ennis Stephenson was awarded for her service to the Extension Nutrition Program (Daily Record May 21, 1992).
Have you ever had a “square foot garden”? Vickie and James Johnson grew broccoli, onions, cauliflower and many other vegetables in six foot squares. The Johnsons and their good friends, Marilyn and Charles Ennis, were also avid bird lovers and had lots of birdhouses and blue bird trails.
The 1991-92 school term was coming to a close and the Coats Middle School had its athletic banquet. In the football area the following students were recognized: Phillip Abney (MVP), Jeff Allen (Offense), Jerome Ray (Defense), Daniel West (Most Improved), Kelly Parrish (Yellow Jacket Award) and Quintin Barbour (Sportsmanship).
In the basketball area the following students took home honors: Phillip Abney (MVP) and Lavada Walden (MVP), Gary Walden (Offense), Jerome Ray (Defense) and Melissa Byrd (Defense).The Yellow Jacket Award went to Jeff Allen and Krystal Klein. The Most Improved Player was Patrick Jenkins and Samantha Wagner. Winners of Sportsmanship were Ernie Taylor and Beth Stanley.
Softball award recipients were Krystal Klein (MVP), Melissa Byrd (Offense), Lavada Walden (Defense), Emily Allen (Yellow Jacket Award), Blair Wiggins (Sportsmanship) and Natalie Walden (Most Improved). Awards were given to the following that excelled in baseball: Shawn Allen (MVP), Gary Walden (Yellow Jacket Award), Jerome Ray (Most Improved), Louie Slaughter (Defense), Kevin Marks (Offense) and David Taylor (Sportsmanship).
The cheerleaders were also recognized for their achievements. The following were reported to the May 22, 1992 Daily Record: Captain Allison Langdon (MVP), Angie McLeod (Most Dedicated), Rachael Avery (Yellow Jacket Award), Vanecia Stewart (Mot Improved), and Blair Wiggins (Co-Captain of the squad).
Post Commander H. A. Turlington, Jr. of Post 59 and their auxiliary placed a memorial wreath at Devotional Gardens as part of the Memorial Service (Daily Record May 2, 1992).
Many of the readers surely remember Robin Williams. Linda K. Pulley and Robin S. Williams had pledged their vows during an evening ceremony at the Myrtle Beach Wedding Chapel in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The bride was the daughter of Daisy Pulley of Smithfield and the late Talmadge Pulley. Parents of Robin were Carl and Barbara Pollard Williams. He was the grandson of Lee and Maude Williams. The groom had earned an associate degree in electronics engineering and worked at Rex Hospital. Linda had an associate degree from JCC (Daily Record May 26, 1992).
Ruth Medlin Stewart, 81, of Raleigh, but formerly of Ebenezer Church Road near Coats, had died in Raleigh Community Hospital. She was the daughter of the Daniel Green Medlin and Frances Grimes Medlin. She was a retired state employee. Surviving was her daughter, Barbara Stewart (Daily Record May 27, 1992).
A birthday party honored John Benjamin “Ben” Ennis at his home. Ben was the son of Ricky and Lisa Ennis. He was grandson of Joyce Ennis and the late Bobby Ennis and Mr. and Mrs. Lassiter Byrd. Lots of family and friends enjoyed a Mickey Mouse theme party (Daily Record May 27, 1992).
Tommi Byrd was awarded the Belmont Abbey Scholarship. She was the daughter of Sandra Butts and Larry Byrd. Tommi earned the scholarship because of her outstanding high school record at Triton High School (Daily Record May 27, 1992).
Congratulations went to Michael Jones, Life Scout and Senior Patrol Leader of Boy Scout Troop 779, who had completed his Eagle service project-the last requirement for the Eagle Scout Award. Thanks were sent to Cotton Johnson and Fred Robinson for their support of Michael and for their help in painting the parking lines at the Coats Senior Center. Michael was the son of Donald and Barbara Jones (Daily Record May 28, 1992).
It is always a treat when our board members drop in. Lenny Parker can always find jobs needing to be done and jumps right on them. Randy and Rhonda Denning always share ideas to make the museum grow. A big thank you from H.L.’s family goes to those giving memorials to the museum. This week the museum received a check from my nephew and his wife-Christie and Stacey Johnson from Wilmington.
Do you recall reading in a previous column that twins were born to a Bennett couple from Coats? Now a second set of twins were born to a couple from there. Benny and Lisa Hughes announced the birth of their twins-Benny Ray Hughes, Jr. and Staci Ann Hughes. The mom was the former Lisa Riggs and paternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Willie Hughes (Daily Record May 14, 1992).
While the Hughes were celebrating the birth of the twins, Hunter Leigh Johnson had celebrated her first birthday at the home of her parents, Dave and Donna Johnson (Daily Record May 15, 1992).
If you are married, how many wedding anniversaries have you celebrated? To young folks, 25 years sounds like a long time. What if you had been married 50 years? That is how long Mr. and Mrs. Elbert Tripp had been married when they celebrated the event at the Dunn’s Woman’s Club. Bonnie Foushee, Juanita Tripp and Pam Tripp hosted the reception. Mr. and Mrs. Tripp were married on April 11, 1942 in Macon, Georgia where Mr. Tripp was serving in the U.S. Army. Mrs. Tripp was the former Brookie Langdon (Daily Record May 18, 1992). Does anyone remember that she once worked at the old Belks store in Dunn?
This I do know. Patricia Parrish, a sixth grade teacher, had won the grand prize at the first PTO spaghetti supper of the Coats PTO. Jimmy Allen, president of the PTO, announced that $7,000 was raised. He shared that the Coats Elementary DREAM program was selected in the top three in the state for middle school reading programs. At that same fundraiser, Kathy Weeks won a dressed barbecue pig donated by H.L. Sorrell, Jr.
Who remembers that reading program? It encouraged all students to Do Read Every Available Minute. When students had finished an assignment, test or had any other free time were to take out a book and read it. As a former teacher, I well remember that program. Not only did it encourage reading, but it kept discipline problems at bay. What teacher do you think headed that program? If you guessed Marie Salmon, you have a good memory.
As a young person in Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, there was a lady who stood out. Not only was she very friendly to young members, but also she was such a dedicated church worker. Hard work must have been in her blood, because in 1992, Mrs. Geneva Ennis Stephenson was awarded for her service to the Extension Nutrition Program (Daily Record May 21, 1992).
Have you ever had a “square foot garden”? Vickie and James Johnson grew broccoli, onions, cauliflower and many other vegetables in six foot squares. The Johnsons and their good friends, Marilyn and Charles Ennis, were also avid bird lovers and had lots of birdhouses and blue bird trails.
The 1991-92 school term was coming to a close and the Coats Middle School had its athletic banquet. In the football area the following students were recognized: Phillip Abney (MVP), Jeff Allen (Offense), Jerome Ray (Defense), Daniel West (Most Improved), Kelly Parrish (Yellow Jacket Award) and Quintin Barbour (Sportsmanship).
In the basketball area the following students took home honors: Phillip Abney (MVP) and Lavada Walden (MVP), Gary Walden (Offense), Jerome Ray (Defense) and Melissa Byrd (Defense).The Yellow Jacket Award went to Jeff Allen and Krystal Klein. The Most Improved Player was Patrick Jenkins and Samantha Wagner. Winners of Sportsmanship were Ernie Taylor and Beth Stanley.
Softball award recipients were Krystal Klein (MVP), Melissa Byrd (Offense), Lavada Walden (Defense), Emily Allen (Yellow Jacket Award), Blair Wiggins (Sportsmanship) and Natalie Walden (Most Improved). Awards were given to the following that excelled in baseball: Shawn Allen (MVP), Gary Walden (Yellow Jacket Award), Jerome Ray (Most Improved), Louie Slaughter (Defense), Kevin Marks (Offense) and David Taylor (Sportsmanship).
The cheerleaders were also recognized for their achievements. The following were reported to the May 22, 1992 Daily Record: Captain Allison Langdon (MVP), Angie McLeod (Most Dedicated), Rachael Avery (Yellow Jacket Award), Vanecia Stewart (Mot Improved), and Blair Wiggins (Co-Captain of the squad).
Post Commander H. A. Turlington, Jr. of Post 59 and their auxiliary placed a memorial wreath at Devotional Gardens as part of the Memorial Service (Daily Record May 2, 1992).
Many of the readers surely remember Robin Williams. Linda K. Pulley and Robin S. Williams had pledged their vows during an evening ceremony at the Myrtle Beach Wedding Chapel in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The bride was the daughter of Daisy Pulley of Smithfield and the late Talmadge Pulley. Parents of Robin were Carl and Barbara Pollard Williams. He was the grandson of Lee and Maude Williams. The groom had earned an associate degree in electronics engineering and worked at Rex Hospital. Linda had an associate degree from JCC (Daily Record May 26, 1992).
Ruth Medlin Stewart, 81, of Raleigh, but formerly of Ebenezer Church Road near Coats, had died in Raleigh Community Hospital. She was the daughter of the Daniel Green Medlin and Frances Grimes Medlin. She was a retired state employee. Surviving was her daughter, Barbara Stewart (Daily Record May 27, 1992).
A birthday party honored John Benjamin “Ben” Ennis at his home. Ben was the son of Ricky and Lisa Ennis. He was grandson of Joyce Ennis and the late Bobby Ennis and Mr. and Mrs. Lassiter Byrd. Lots of family and friends enjoyed a Mickey Mouse theme party (Daily Record May 27, 1992).
Tommi Byrd was awarded the Belmont Abbey Scholarship. She was the daughter of Sandra Butts and Larry Byrd. Tommi earned the scholarship because of her outstanding high school record at Triton High School (Daily Record May 27, 1992).
Congratulations went to Michael Jones, Life Scout and Senior Patrol Leader of Boy Scout Troop 779, who had completed his Eagle service project-the last requirement for the Eagle Scout Award. Thanks were sent to Cotton Johnson and Fred Robinson for their support of Michael and for their help in painting the parking lines at the Coats Senior Center. Michael was the son of Donald and Barbara Jones (Daily Record May 28, 1992).
It is always a treat when our board members drop in. Lenny Parker can always find jobs needing to be done and jumps right on them. Randy and Rhonda Denning always share ideas to make the museum grow. A big thank you from H.L.’s family goes to those giving memorials to the museum. This week the museum received a check from my nephew and his wife-Christie and Stacey Johnson from Wilmington.