March 13, 2020 Coats Museum News
The date on the calendar displayed a new year-1983. It was the year the United States invaded Grenada. The same year that the last episode of TV’s MASH when 121,624,000 viewers watched the final show. This was the year that Trivial Pursuit became so popular that there were 1 million backorders for the game. The synthetic drug PCP-or angel dust-began to claim a large number of lives. Return of the Jedi and Never Say Never Again were two of the most popular movies. Ripped clothing became a fashion statement because of the movie Flashdance. Compact discs and digital players were given wide commercials push. The Cabbage Patch doll created pre-Christmas pandemonium. The Supreme Court affirmed the right of the states to ban nuclear power plants. The Pioneer 10 Spaceprobe which was launched in 1972 became the first object created by humans to leave this solar system. According to federal calculations as many as 23 million people in America were illiterate. Rev. Jesse Jackson announced that he would run for president (Dickson, Paul. From Elvis to E-Mail. Massachusetts: Federal Street Press. 1999, pp 264-269).
In Dunn, Tommy Ennis and friends welcomed the New Year with the traditional black-eyed peas dinner (Daily Record Jan. 3, 1983).
Private William C. Lamm of Coats was stationed at Red Stone Arsenal, Alabama. The family of Lacy Edward Byrd, 63, was saddened by his death on Monday. His services were held at the Coats Baptist Church and burial was in the Coats City Cemetery. Surviving Mr. Byrd were his wife, Wilma Parrish Byrd; one son, Joseph, and two daughters, Mrs. Sharon Messamer and Mrs. Elaine Stewart Johnson. His mother was Mrs. Eula Byrd and his sisters were Mrs. Willa Mae Parrish and Mrs. Ernestine Thornton. Mr. Byrd was a native of Johnston County and the son of the late Willie Byrd. Edward was a meat cutter by profession at the Commissary in Fort Bragg (Daily Record Jan. 1983)
Did Mr. Byrd ever cut meat at Earl’s Grocery in Coats? I do know that another death occurred in Coats. Mrs. Lucy H. Long, 50, of Route One, Coats had died in the emergency room at GHH. Her services were held at McKoy’s Chapel Church. Burial was in the Matthews Family Cemetery. Mrs. Frances Bass was a daughter (Daily Record Jan. 19, 1983). Do you know where this church and cemetery are located?
Mr. and Mrs. Linwood Dupree announced the engagement of their daughter to Charles Ogburn, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hunter Ogburn of Dunn, Route 3 (Daily Record Jan. 3, 1983). What was the bride-elect’s name?
Robert Strickland who lived on Dunn, Route 3, had lately received his Purple Heart for wounds he had received in WWII. Mr. Strickland had been the recipient of eight medals as a Private First Class (Daily Record Feb. 1, 1983). Just a note about Mr. Strickland from the perspective of a Coats Museum volunteer is that he was so supportive of our efforts in collecting the military records of Grove veterans for the Defenders of the Red, White and Blue publication. He was generous in displaying his memorabilia from WWII and the Battle of the Bulge for visitors to view at our military open houses. He was a return visitor over and over and was always so eager to share stories and pictures related to his life.
Anita Rae Fowler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Fowler, had married Ronnie Mack Ennis, son of Mrs. Troy McGee and the late Bobby Ray Ennis (Daily Record Feb. 3, 1983). Question-is she a descendant of the Malcolm Fowler who was so knowledgeable of Harnett County history as he authored the book They Passed This Way in 1955? Some may remember that he was in appliance business with Ted Malone in Coats in late 1940’s.
The Coats Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored a general consignment auction at Coats High School. Wade Stephenson, Max Matthews and Phil Bradley were on the Sales Committee (Daily Record Feb. 4, 1983).
Mr. and Mrs. William W. Beasley of Coats grew a five and one-half pound turnip in their garden. The family lived on McKinley Street in Coats (Daily Record Feb. 4, 1983).
I started to comment that was bigger than a five pound bag of sugar when I questioned if sugar comes in five pound bags anymore. My favorite mayonnaise no longer comes in quart jars. I believe change is sometimes necessary but why the changes in those items and why 12 ounces of bacon?
I do know that a very popular man whose family was known far and wide for their Stewart’s corn meal had died at 57 years of age. Theron Laverne Stewart of Coats had died on Saturday. Services were at the Rose Funeral with burial in the Coats City Cemetery. Surviving Mr. Stewart were his three sons-Daniel, Stephen and Doug Stewart. Keith Wayne and Evangeline Stewart were his siblings (Daily Record Feb. 8, 1983).
If you want to see the impact that the Stewart families had in Coats and surrounding areas, you should visit the Coats Museum’s Research Library. That family has been around a long time in our area and has touched almost all areas our history of Coats.
Mr. and Mrs. Walt Sorrell, Sr. were honored on their 63rd wedding anniversary (Daily Record Feb. 1983). That’s another long time!
Singing, reading of poems, and viewing slides were to be shown at Coats High School by students of the Shutterbug Productions. Marie Salmon, my best friend from Lillington, sponsored the program-“Through the Eyes of Love” (Daily Record Feb. 14, 1983).
Those who taught with Marie Salmon will tell you that she brought out the innate talents of hundreds of young boys and girls at Coats High School. She is a living legend.
The Coats Woman’s Club donated $500 to purchase playground equipment for the town park. Margaret Johnson (past president), Mary Langdon (treasurer) and Laura Langdon (president) presented the check to the recreational commissioner Frances Avery (Daily Record Feb. 17, 1983).
James Graylon Warren, 57, of Coats, had died on Friday. His services were held at a funeral home in Benson. Burial was in the Young Cemetery. Surviving him were his mother, Mrs. Vioma B. Warren; one son, James Linwood Warren; one daughter -Mrs. Donaphine Warren Mitchell, and siblings- Bobby, Olen D., Charles Warren, Mrs. Alder Pollard , Eva Gainey and Vestal Parker (Daily Record Feb. 21, 1983).
Did you recognize the name Alder Warren Pollard? She is mother to Linda Cobb, Glenwood and Wallace Pollard and Kay Denning. Mrs. Alder was an amazing mother who lost her husband at a very young age and she had to take on the role as a single parent and did a remarkable job as we can attest to the fact that her children are remarkable citizens in the Coats, Benson and Buies Creek areas. All four of her them have a sense of humor, sense of caring, a sense of sharing and a sense of supporting each other in family sicknesses. I am always amazed how they meet at the family’s ancestral home and fill the yards with cars as they continue to honor family traditions by getting together to enjoy meals and fellowship.
Another death occurred in the Coats area and this family I don’t know. David App Byrd, 68, had died on Friday. Surviving him were Mrs. Mabel D. Byrd of Coats and Mrs. Myrtle Upchurch (Daily Record Feb. 21, 1983).
The Coats Town Board formally acted to name members to various boards. The Planning Board had Chairman Max Beasley, Earl Denning, Anne Thornton, Hubert Rowland, and Marvin Johnson. This group would play a role in town affairs as the sewer project was becoming a reality. Heading the Coats ABC board was Chairman Tim Brown, Milliard Page and Lottie Lamm. Members of the Coats Cemetery were Kenneth Keene, Lottie Lamm, Joy Dan Fleming, Charles R. Ennis, M.O. Phillips, Ophelia Roberts, James Denning, Earl Williams, and Commissioner Curtis Guy. Chairman for the Recreational Committee was Greg Stevens. Other members were A.H. Beard, Lonnie Dorman, Beverly Stephenson, Keith Parrish, and Commissioner Frances Avery (Daily Record Feb. 22, 1983).
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Matthews of Route 3, Dunn, announced the engagement of their daughter, Shelia Ann Matthews, to Teddy James Byrd, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Byrd of Coats. The wedding would be held at the Prospect FWB Church on March 5th (Daily Record Feb. 22, 1983).
The Byrd family name continued to make the news. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Byrd of Coats announced to make the news when they announced the engagement of Rhonda Byrd to Linwood Allen Dunn, Jr. of Fuquay-Varina (Daily Record Feb22, 1983).
The Feb. 28 edition of the Daily Record shared that Barbara Gardner was secretary at Angier Middle School.
D. Keith Parrish, son of Agnes and Rupert Parrish, had been selected from five southern states for a pilot 2-year program at NC State University. Every aspect of farm management and production were to be covered over the next two years along with much work and study in leadership training (Daily Record Feb. 28, 1983). Does that sound interesting but require much work?
I do know that three other Harnett farmers were recognized as winners of the 1982 Soybean Contest and they were Victor McLeod (1st), Wayne Champion (2Nd), and Trent Sorrell (3rd) (Daily Record Mar. 3, 1983).
We are very excited about our April 25th-Saturday 1-3PM event at the Coats Museum and Community Building where Leonard Parker, 1973 Coats High graduate, will share his story “Disaster Response from a Different Perspective.” Lenny will share his experiences as a member of the DMORT Team- for 911, various hurricanes, and air crashes. A display honoring Lenny will be on exhibit in the Theater Room in the Coats Museum. This free event will give insight into what happens after major tragedies involving the lost of human lives.
We had lots of activity at the museum last week- Lenny Parker making final plans for his April 25th event and Mark Powell and Kevin Pope working on the May 17th Boy Scout Exhibit honoring the Troop 779 scout masters and recognizing the many Eagle Scouts. Wendy Heynes from Fuquay and her daughter Alyssa Beasley from Willow Spring sought Burwell Coats genealogy while Betty Ellen Dixon researched the Turlington family as related to Tony Turlington. We had Rhonda Stephenson drop by to share her copy of the Daily Record’s 2020 Community Yearbook for the museum library. If you don’t have a copy, come by the museum and check out this amazing work of journalism. Keith McLeod came bearing a notebook of history that we will explore later. It is never dull at the Coats Museum on Thursdays and Sundays are fun also.
The date on the calendar displayed a new year-1983. It was the year the United States invaded Grenada. The same year that the last episode of TV’s MASH when 121,624,000 viewers watched the final show. This was the year that Trivial Pursuit became so popular that there were 1 million backorders for the game. The synthetic drug PCP-or angel dust-began to claim a large number of lives. Return of the Jedi and Never Say Never Again were two of the most popular movies. Ripped clothing became a fashion statement because of the movie Flashdance. Compact discs and digital players were given wide commercials push. The Cabbage Patch doll created pre-Christmas pandemonium. The Supreme Court affirmed the right of the states to ban nuclear power plants. The Pioneer 10 Spaceprobe which was launched in 1972 became the first object created by humans to leave this solar system. According to federal calculations as many as 23 million people in America were illiterate. Rev. Jesse Jackson announced that he would run for president (Dickson, Paul. From Elvis to E-Mail. Massachusetts: Federal Street Press. 1999, pp 264-269).
In Dunn, Tommy Ennis and friends welcomed the New Year with the traditional black-eyed peas dinner (Daily Record Jan. 3, 1983).
Private William C. Lamm of Coats was stationed at Red Stone Arsenal, Alabama. The family of Lacy Edward Byrd, 63, was saddened by his death on Monday. His services were held at the Coats Baptist Church and burial was in the Coats City Cemetery. Surviving Mr. Byrd were his wife, Wilma Parrish Byrd; one son, Joseph, and two daughters, Mrs. Sharon Messamer and Mrs. Elaine Stewart Johnson. His mother was Mrs. Eula Byrd and his sisters were Mrs. Willa Mae Parrish and Mrs. Ernestine Thornton. Mr. Byrd was a native of Johnston County and the son of the late Willie Byrd. Edward was a meat cutter by profession at the Commissary in Fort Bragg (Daily Record Jan. 1983)
Did Mr. Byrd ever cut meat at Earl’s Grocery in Coats? I do know that another death occurred in Coats. Mrs. Lucy H. Long, 50, of Route One, Coats had died in the emergency room at GHH. Her services were held at McKoy’s Chapel Church. Burial was in the Matthews Family Cemetery. Mrs. Frances Bass was a daughter (Daily Record Jan. 19, 1983). Do you know where this church and cemetery are located?
Mr. and Mrs. Linwood Dupree announced the engagement of their daughter to Charles Ogburn, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hunter Ogburn of Dunn, Route 3 (Daily Record Jan. 3, 1983). What was the bride-elect’s name?
Robert Strickland who lived on Dunn, Route 3, had lately received his Purple Heart for wounds he had received in WWII. Mr. Strickland had been the recipient of eight medals as a Private First Class (Daily Record Feb. 1, 1983). Just a note about Mr. Strickland from the perspective of a Coats Museum volunteer is that he was so supportive of our efforts in collecting the military records of Grove veterans for the Defenders of the Red, White and Blue publication. He was generous in displaying his memorabilia from WWII and the Battle of the Bulge for visitors to view at our military open houses. He was a return visitor over and over and was always so eager to share stories and pictures related to his life.
Anita Rae Fowler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Fowler, had married Ronnie Mack Ennis, son of Mrs. Troy McGee and the late Bobby Ray Ennis (Daily Record Feb. 3, 1983). Question-is she a descendant of the Malcolm Fowler who was so knowledgeable of Harnett County history as he authored the book They Passed This Way in 1955? Some may remember that he was in appliance business with Ted Malone in Coats in late 1940’s.
The Coats Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored a general consignment auction at Coats High School. Wade Stephenson, Max Matthews and Phil Bradley were on the Sales Committee (Daily Record Feb. 4, 1983).
Mr. and Mrs. William W. Beasley of Coats grew a five and one-half pound turnip in their garden. The family lived on McKinley Street in Coats (Daily Record Feb. 4, 1983).
I started to comment that was bigger than a five pound bag of sugar when I questioned if sugar comes in five pound bags anymore. My favorite mayonnaise no longer comes in quart jars. I believe change is sometimes necessary but why the changes in those items and why 12 ounces of bacon?
I do know that a very popular man whose family was known far and wide for their Stewart’s corn meal had died at 57 years of age. Theron Laverne Stewart of Coats had died on Saturday. Services were at the Rose Funeral with burial in the Coats City Cemetery. Surviving Mr. Stewart were his three sons-Daniel, Stephen and Doug Stewart. Keith Wayne and Evangeline Stewart were his siblings (Daily Record Feb. 8, 1983).
If you want to see the impact that the Stewart families had in Coats and surrounding areas, you should visit the Coats Museum’s Research Library. That family has been around a long time in our area and has touched almost all areas our history of Coats.
Mr. and Mrs. Walt Sorrell, Sr. were honored on their 63rd wedding anniversary (Daily Record Feb. 1983). That’s another long time!
Singing, reading of poems, and viewing slides were to be shown at Coats High School by students of the Shutterbug Productions. Marie Salmon, my best friend from Lillington, sponsored the program-“Through the Eyes of Love” (Daily Record Feb. 14, 1983).
Those who taught with Marie Salmon will tell you that she brought out the innate talents of hundreds of young boys and girls at Coats High School. She is a living legend.
The Coats Woman’s Club donated $500 to purchase playground equipment for the town park. Margaret Johnson (past president), Mary Langdon (treasurer) and Laura Langdon (president) presented the check to the recreational commissioner Frances Avery (Daily Record Feb. 17, 1983).
James Graylon Warren, 57, of Coats, had died on Friday. His services were held at a funeral home in Benson. Burial was in the Young Cemetery. Surviving him were his mother, Mrs. Vioma B. Warren; one son, James Linwood Warren; one daughter -Mrs. Donaphine Warren Mitchell, and siblings- Bobby, Olen D., Charles Warren, Mrs. Alder Pollard , Eva Gainey and Vestal Parker (Daily Record Feb. 21, 1983).
Did you recognize the name Alder Warren Pollard? She is mother to Linda Cobb, Glenwood and Wallace Pollard and Kay Denning. Mrs. Alder was an amazing mother who lost her husband at a very young age and she had to take on the role as a single parent and did a remarkable job as we can attest to the fact that her children are remarkable citizens in the Coats, Benson and Buies Creek areas. All four of her them have a sense of humor, sense of caring, a sense of sharing and a sense of supporting each other in family sicknesses. I am always amazed how they meet at the family’s ancestral home and fill the yards with cars as they continue to honor family traditions by getting together to enjoy meals and fellowship.
Another death occurred in the Coats area and this family I don’t know. David App Byrd, 68, had died on Friday. Surviving him were Mrs. Mabel D. Byrd of Coats and Mrs. Myrtle Upchurch (Daily Record Feb. 21, 1983).
The Coats Town Board formally acted to name members to various boards. The Planning Board had Chairman Max Beasley, Earl Denning, Anne Thornton, Hubert Rowland, and Marvin Johnson. This group would play a role in town affairs as the sewer project was becoming a reality. Heading the Coats ABC board was Chairman Tim Brown, Milliard Page and Lottie Lamm. Members of the Coats Cemetery were Kenneth Keene, Lottie Lamm, Joy Dan Fleming, Charles R. Ennis, M.O. Phillips, Ophelia Roberts, James Denning, Earl Williams, and Commissioner Curtis Guy. Chairman for the Recreational Committee was Greg Stevens. Other members were A.H. Beard, Lonnie Dorman, Beverly Stephenson, Keith Parrish, and Commissioner Frances Avery (Daily Record Feb. 22, 1983).
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Matthews of Route 3, Dunn, announced the engagement of their daughter, Shelia Ann Matthews, to Teddy James Byrd, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Byrd of Coats. The wedding would be held at the Prospect FWB Church on March 5th (Daily Record Feb. 22, 1983).
The Byrd family name continued to make the news. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Byrd of Coats announced to make the news when they announced the engagement of Rhonda Byrd to Linwood Allen Dunn, Jr. of Fuquay-Varina (Daily Record Feb22, 1983).
The Feb. 28 edition of the Daily Record shared that Barbara Gardner was secretary at Angier Middle School.
D. Keith Parrish, son of Agnes and Rupert Parrish, had been selected from five southern states for a pilot 2-year program at NC State University. Every aspect of farm management and production were to be covered over the next two years along with much work and study in leadership training (Daily Record Feb. 28, 1983). Does that sound interesting but require much work?
I do know that three other Harnett farmers were recognized as winners of the 1982 Soybean Contest and they were Victor McLeod (1st), Wayne Champion (2Nd), and Trent Sorrell (3rd) (Daily Record Mar. 3, 1983).
We are very excited about our April 25th-Saturday 1-3PM event at the Coats Museum and Community Building where Leonard Parker, 1973 Coats High graduate, will share his story “Disaster Response from a Different Perspective.” Lenny will share his experiences as a member of the DMORT Team- for 911, various hurricanes, and air crashes. A display honoring Lenny will be on exhibit in the Theater Room in the Coats Museum. This free event will give insight into what happens after major tragedies involving the lost of human lives.
We had lots of activity at the museum last week- Lenny Parker making final plans for his April 25th event and Mark Powell and Kevin Pope working on the May 17th Boy Scout Exhibit honoring the Troop 779 scout masters and recognizing the many Eagle Scouts. Wendy Heynes from Fuquay and her daughter Alyssa Beasley from Willow Spring sought Burwell Coats genealogy while Betty Ellen Dixon researched the Turlington family as related to Tony Turlington. We had Rhonda Stephenson drop by to share her copy of the Daily Record’s 2020 Community Yearbook for the museum library. If you don’t have a copy, come by the museum and check out this amazing work of journalism. Keith McLeod came bearing a notebook of history that we will explore later. It is never dull at the Coats Museum on Thursdays and Sundays are fun also.