March 22, 2019 Coats Museum News
The year was 1975 and two assassination attempts were made against President Gerald Ford. The first was thwarted by an alert Secret Service agent who pulled a revolver from the hands of Lynette A. “Squeaky” Fromme in Sacramento, CA. She was a member of the small violent cult that followed Charles Manson. A second attempt in September against the President Ford was in San Francisco where he was actually shot at by Sara Jane Moore.
Saturday Night made its first appearance on NBC. It was an irreverent, determinedly controversial show that changed the face and limits of television comedy overnight. The name of the show was later renamed Saturday Night Live.
Palestinian terrorists raided the meeting of the Organization of Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna killing three. Some eighty-one hostages were taken but were later released (Dickson, Paul. From Elvis to E-Mail. Massachusetts: Federal Street Press, pp. 218-219).
In the Coats area, Cameron Godwin, 54, of Coats, had died on Friday. His services were at the Pleasant Memory Baptist Church with burial in the Lakeside Memorial Gardens. He was survived by his wife, Juanita Godwin; four daughters-Judith Stephenson, Jean Clark, Shirley Allen, and Denise Godwin. His three sisters were Cleo Jeffreys, Katherine Scott, and Dorothy Johnson. Stacy Godwin was his brother (Daily Record September 29, 1975). How many of those names do you recognize?
I bet you all recognize this name. Ned Baxter Ennis, Coats High School graduate in 1971, was recently commissioned a 2nd Lt. after completing the ROTC program at Campbell College according to the September 30, 1975 edition of the Daily Record. I bet he would tell young folks that “Success is spelled WORK.”
Mrs. Belle Williams was elected president of the Swinging Elders. Mrs. Cora Regan was chosen secretary and Mrs. Mae Coats was picked chaplain. The group had five new members: Howard Penny, Ruth Parrish, Preston Ennis (Baxter’s dad), Vira Campbell, and Namon Denning.
The same Oct. 3, 1975 edition of the Daily Record reported that Mrs. Vira Campbell and Jackie Wood of Erwin were married on September 21st.
One year-old Timothy Wayne Faircloth had died. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Faircloth. The young child was buried in the Coats Cemetery (Daily Record Oct. 6, 1975). I have been writing the column for ten years and thankfully I can recall writing about the death of very few young children from the Coats area.
Shearon Roberts, a Meredith student, had been elected to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities. Shearon was the daughter of Mrs. Ophelia Roberts of Coats (Daily Record Oct. 17, 1975).
John Owen Lee, 56, of Coats, had died on Thursday with his funeral services being held at the Coats Chapel Church. Burial was in the Black River Grove Cemetery. He was survived by his widow, Mrs. Omia Lee; two daughters-Mrs. Therlene Sampson and Mrs. Linda Holliday. His two sons were Marvin Lee and James E. Lee. His three brothers were Alonzo, Howell, and Marion Lee and his two sisters were Mrs. Bertha McKoy and Mrs. Lillie Rowland (Daily Record Oct. 20, 1975). I bet some readers were students of Mrs. Linda Holliday who has some remarkable children of her own.
Mrs. M.E. Ennis was feted at her 77th birthday at her home (Daily Record Oct. 21, 1975). Can you name some of her grandchildren who married and remained in the Coats area?
A death was announced from Arlington, VA. William Johnson Godwin, 56, had died on Saturday. He was survived by Mrs. E. Brinson Godwin; two sons-Ricky and Keith Godwin; brothers- B.V. Astor, P.G. and Ray Godwin; sisters-Mrs. Wynona Ennis, Mrs. Jacque McKee, Mrs. Annie Woodruff and Mrs. Mary Lee Gray (Daily Record Oct.20, 1975).
Coats Police Chief Ron Peters was a new polygraph expert. He was trained for six weeks in New York City. Lindy H. Dibella was a new policewoman in Coats. Joseph Edgar Jones, 41, of Coats, had his funeral services on Wednesday. He was survived by his widow, Mrs. Ruth West Jones, three sons- Curtis, Andy and Jerry Jones and one daughter-Miss Cynthia Jones. Mike west was a stepson (Daily Record Oct. 29, 1975).
Mr. and Mrs. John A. Phillips of Durham announced the engagement of their daughter, Phyliss Dianne Penny, to Kent Ogburn Hudson, son of Mack and Juanita Hudson of Route One, Benson (Daily Record Nov. 4, 1975).
Seventeen female students at Coats High School were initiated into Future Homemakers of America (FHA). The initiation “hazing” had called for the students to dress as babies. The best dressed “boy baby” prize went to Sharon Stanley and Betsy Pollard won the title of best dressed “girl baby”. The other new members of the organization were Sharon Capps, Sharon Faircloth, Charlotte Stephenson, Darlene Harvell, Kathy Mangum, Geneva Williams, Shelia Pope, Barbara Dragg, Dava House, Emma Jo Knox, Teresa Stewart, and Barbara Williams. (Who were the other new members?) Mrs. Kathryn Bradley and Mrs. Frances Thomas were sponsors and the 1975-76 officers of the club were Peggy Denton, Martie Byrd, Deborah Stewart, Cathy Honeycutt, Teresa Tart, Dianne Flowers, Karen Barbour, and Susan Moffitt (Daily Record Nov. 5, 1975).
Karen Stewart Morris’s past few years had been scheduled to the limit. She was Miss Benson, Miss Dunn and then Mrs. Morris. She was also one of the nine students from Harnett County who went into the school s for her classroom fieldwork (Daily Record Nov. 11, 1975). Was that called student teaching at one time?
School reporting to the Daily Record shared that Diane Leah Flowers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Flowers, was selected Homecoming Queen for Coats High School (Daily Record Nov. 14, 1975).
The Coats Federated Woman’s Club met at the Coats Community Building for their November meeting. The guest speaker was Mrs. Juanita Hudson who spoke on the “Objectives and Purposes of International Women’s Year”. The hostesses were Mrs. C.A. Stewart, Mrs. J.D. Lamm, and Mrs. Fletcher Flowers (Daily Record Nov. 24, 1975).
Mr. John Ingraham, CPA, said, “It is a real pleasure to give this report. This is the best report of audit that I’ve ever presented to the Town of Coats”. He continued that “the town showed excellent management for the period of July 1, 1974 through June 30, 1975” (Daily Record Nov. 26, 1975). Does anyone know who was mayor, town manager and town clerk during those years?
I do know that the paper printed that Mrs. Nora Parrish, 69, of Coats had died on Monday. She was survived by her widower, Carl Parrish. Her four sons were Leon, Graham, James, Jr., and William Parrish. Miss Flossie Parrish was her daughter (Daily Record Dec. 2, 1975).
Christmas was on the calendar in 1975 and local children were sending letters to Santa Claus. Observe to see what toys and items were on their wish list. We may have some of these choices in our Toy Exhibit in the Coats Museum. Sisters Domini and Elaine Ennis had put their request in one letter. The girls wanted a 600X zoom microscope, a prepare your own slide kit, a children’s Bible, and a Bathtub Baby.
Tara Johnson requested a Baby-That –A-Way, a sunshine family van. Younger sister Nickie Johnson wrote for a Digger Dog, a Bless You Baby Tender Love and a bicycle with training wheels. Older brother, Clark Johnson, felt a Big Shot Shooting Gallery and football would be perfect Christmas gifts.
Kitty Betts suggested to Santa that he bring her a camping adventure for Barbie and a magic hat and something for Grandma Thomas. Sister Brookie Betts wrote Santa she also would like a Barbie, a Barbie Dream Boat and a Ken’s wardrobe, Operation, Jewel Magic and something for Grandma Thomas. (She must have been a special grandma to these grandchildren.) Nine year-old Brookie reminded Santa that she had been a very good girl and fudge would be under the tree. Her sister Kitty was leaving him pie and cake to go with milk.
Do you recognize those children’s names? Kitty helps manage Ron’s Barn and Brookie holds a top position with the Harnett Board of Education. My question is wonder if Grandma Thomas helped make all those goodies for Santa to enjoy?
Karen Capps was ten years old and going on eleven. She told Santa that her mom said she was too old for a baby doll but she wanted one anyway. Karen also wanted a pair of boots and a mini coat. Karen placed orders to Santa for her sister and brothers. The sister wanted a radio and blow dryer. One of the three brothers wanted a pocket camera, the second wanted a 35mm camera and the third wanted a “Transam”. She reminded Santa that a Transam was a car (Daily Record Dec. 3, 1975). The innocence and joy in children at Christmas never ceases to amaze.
The Board of Directors and museum volunteers had their quarterly meeting last Saturday morning. Becky Adams, Stacy Avery, Myrtle Bridges, Robie Butler, Chris Coats, Linda Cobb, Brenda Rhiner, H.L. Sorrell, Gayle Sorrell, Rhonda Stephenson and Kathy Weeks were present to get an update on the museum’s agenda. H.L Sorrell conducted the meeting; Becky Adams recorded the minutes and Robie Butler shared the financial report. Board members Andy Cole, Tim Penny and Kevin Pope had excused absences. The board members enjoyed looking at the two new wall murals picturing aerial views of Coats, USN Blue Angels flight suit, Rescue Squad coveralls and several other new display items.
A special thank you goes to H.L. Sorrell for remembering Roy Penny and Sue Johnson Richey with memorials to the Coats Museum Endowment.
The year was 1975 and two assassination attempts were made against President Gerald Ford. The first was thwarted by an alert Secret Service agent who pulled a revolver from the hands of Lynette A. “Squeaky” Fromme in Sacramento, CA. She was a member of the small violent cult that followed Charles Manson. A second attempt in September against the President Ford was in San Francisco where he was actually shot at by Sara Jane Moore.
Saturday Night made its first appearance on NBC. It was an irreverent, determinedly controversial show that changed the face and limits of television comedy overnight. The name of the show was later renamed Saturday Night Live.
Palestinian terrorists raided the meeting of the Organization of Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna killing three. Some eighty-one hostages were taken but were later released (Dickson, Paul. From Elvis to E-Mail. Massachusetts: Federal Street Press, pp. 218-219).
In the Coats area, Cameron Godwin, 54, of Coats, had died on Friday. His services were at the Pleasant Memory Baptist Church with burial in the Lakeside Memorial Gardens. He was survived by his wife, Juanita Godwin; four daughters-Judith Stephenson, Jean Clark, Shirley Allen, and Denise Godwin. His three sisters were Cleo Jeffreys, Katherine Scott, and Dorothy Johnson. Stacy Godwin was his brother (Daily Record September 29, 1975). How many of those names do you recognize?
I bet you all recognize this name. Ned Baxter Ennis, Coats High School graduate in 1971, was recently commissioned a 2nd Lt. after completing the ROTC program at Campbell College according to the September 30, 1975 edition of the Daily Record. I bet he would tell young folks that “Success is spelled WORK.”
Mrs. Belle Williams was elected president of the Swinging Elders. Mrs. Cora Regan was chosen secretary and Mrs. Mae Coats was picked chaplain. The group had five new members: Howard Penny, Ruth Parrish, Preston Ennis (Baxter’s dad), Vira Campbell, and Namon Denning.
The same Oct. 3, 1975 edition of the Daily Record reported that Mrs. Vira Campbell and Jackie Wood of Erwin were married on September 21st.
One year-old Timothy Wayne Faircloth had died. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Faircloth. The young child was buried in the Coats Cemetery (Daily Record Oct. 6, 1975). I have been writing the column for ten years and thankfully I can recall writing about the death of very few young children from the Coats area.
Shearon Roberts, a Meredith student, had been elected to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities. Shearon was the daughter of Mrs. Ophelia Roberts of Coats (Daily Record Oct. 17, 1975).
John Owen Lee, 56, of Coats, had died on Thursday with his funeral services being held at the Coats Chapel Church. Burial was in the Black River Grove Cemetery. He was survived by his widow, Mrs. Omia Lee; two daughters-Mrs. Therlene Sampson and Mrs. Linda Holliday. His two sons were Marvin Lee and James E. Lee. His three brothers were Alonzo, Howell, and Marion Lee and his two sisters were Mrs. Bertha McKoy and Mrs. Lillie Rowland (Daily Record Oct. 20, 1975). I bet some readers were students of Mrs. Linda Holliday who has some remarkable children of her own.
Mrs. M.E. Ennis was feted at her 77th birthday at her home (Daily Record Oct. 21, 1975). Can you name some of her grandchildren who married and remained in the Coats area?
A death was announced from Arlington, VA. William Johnson Godwin, 56, had died on Saturday. He was survived by Mrs. E. Brinson Godwin; two sons-Ricky and Keith Godwin; brothers- B.V. Astor, P.G. and Ray Godwin; sisters-Mrs. Wynona Ennis, Mrs. Jacque McKee, Mrs. Annie Woodruff and Mrs. Mary Lee Gray (Daily Record Oct.20, 1975).
Coats Police Chief Ron Peters was a new polygraph expert. He was trained for six weeks in New York City. Lindy H. Dibella was a new policewoman in Coats. Joseph Edgar Jones, 41, of Coats, had his funeral services on Wednesday. He was survived by his widow, Mrs. Ruth West Jones, three sons- Curtis, Andy and Jerry Jones and one daughter-Miss Cynthia Jones. Mike west was a stepson (Daily Record Oct. 29, 1975).
Mr. and Mrs. John A. Phillips of Durham announced the engagement of their daughter, Phyliss Dianne Penny, to Kent Ogburn Hudson, son of Mack and Juanita Hudson of Route One, Benson (Daily Record Nov. 4, 1975).
Seventeen female students at Coats High School were initiated into Future Homemakers of America (FHA). The initiation “hazing” had called for the students to dress as babies. The best dressed “boy baby” prize went to Sharon Stanley and Betsy Pollard won the title of best dressed “girl baby”. The other new members of the organization were Sharon Capps, Sharon Faircloth, Charlotte Stephenson, Darlene Harvell, Kathy Mangum, Geneva Williams, Shelia Pope, Barbara Dragg, Dava House, Emma Jo Knox, Teresa Stewart, and Barbara Williams. (Who were the other new members?) Mrs. Kathryn Bradley and Mrs. Frances Thomas were sponsors and the 1975-76 officers of the club were Peggy Denton, Martie Byrd, Deborah Stewart, Cathy Honeycutt, Teresa Tart, Dianne Flowers, Karen Barbour, and Susan Moffitt (Daily Record Nov. 5, 1975).
Karen Stewart Morris’s past few years had been scheduled to the limit. She was Miss Benson, Miss Dunn and then Mrs. Morris. She was also one of the nine students from Harnett County who went into the school s for her classroom fieldwork (Daily Record Nov. 11, 1975). Was that called student teaching at one time?
School reporting to the Daily Record shared that Diane Leah Flowers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Flowers, was selected Homecoming Queen for Coats High School (Daily Record Nov. 14, 1975).
The Coats Federated Woman’s Club met at the Coats Community Building for their November meeting. The guest speaker was Mrs. Juanita Hudson who spoke on the “Objectives and Purposes of International Women’s Year”. The hostesses were Mrs. C.A. Stewart, Mrs. J.D. Lamm, and Mrs. Fletcher Flowers (Daily Record Nov. 24, 1975).
Mr. John Ingraham, CPA, said, “It is a real pleasure to give this report. This is the best report of audit that I’ve ever presented to the Town of Coats”. He continued that “the town showed excellent management for the period of July 1, 1974 through June 30, 1975” (Daily Record Nov. 26, 1975). Does anyone know who was mayor, town manager and town clerk during those years?
I do know that the paper printed that Mrs. Nora Parrish, 69, of Coats had died on Monday. She was survived by her widower, Carl Parrish. Her four sons were Leon, Graham, James, Jr., and William Parrish. Miss Flossie Parrish was her daughter (Daily Record Dec. 2, 1975).
Christmas was on the calendar in 1975 and local children were sending letters to Santa Claus. Observe to see what toys and items were on their wish list. We may have some of these choices in our Toy Exhibit in the Coats Museum. Sisters Domini and Elaine Ennis had put their request in one letter. The girls wanted a 600X zoom microscope, a prepare your own slide kit, a children’s Bible, and a Bathtub Baby.
Tara Johnson requested a Baby-That –A-Way, a sunshine family van. Younger sister Nickie Johnson wrote for a Digger Dog, a Bless You Baby Tender Love and a bicycle with training wheels. Older brother, Clark Johnson, felt a Big Shot Shooting Gallery and football would be perfect Christmas gifts.
Kitty Betts suggested to Santa that he bring her a camping adventure for Barbie and a magic hat and something for Grandma Thomas. Sister Brookie Betts wrote Santa she also would like a Barbie, a Barbie Dream Boat and a Ken’s wardrobe, Operation, Jewel Magic and something for Grandma Thomas. (She must have been a special grandma to these grandchildren.) Nine year-old Brookie reminded Santa that she had been a very good girl and fudge would be under the tree. Her sister Kitty was leaving him pie and cake to go with milk.
Do you recognize those children’s names? Kitty helps manage Ron’s Barn and Brookie holds a top position with the Harnett Board of Education. My question is wonder if Grandma Thomas helped make all those goodies for Santa to enjoy?
Karen Capps was ten years old and going on eleven. She told Santa that her mom said she was too old for a baby doll but she wanted one anyway. Karen also wanted a pair of boots and a mini coat. Karen placed orders to Santa for her sister and brothers. The sister wanted a radio and blow dryer. One of the three brothers wanted a pocket camera, the second wanted a 35mm camera and the third wanted a “Transam”. She reminded Santa that a Transam was a car (Daily Record Dec. 3, 1975). The innocence and joy in children at Christmas never ceases to amaze.
The Board of Directors and museum volunteers had their quarterly meeting last Saturday morning. Becky Adams, Stacy Avery, Myrtle Bridges, Robie Butler, Chris Coats, Linda Cobb, Brenda Rhiner, H.L. Sorrell, Gayle Sorrell, Rhonda Stephenson and Kathy Weeks were present to get an update on the museum’s agenda. H.L Sorrell conducted the meeting; Becky Adams recorded the minutes and Robie Butler shared the financial report. Board members Andy Cole, Tim Penny and Kevin Pope had excused absences. The board members enjoyed looking at the two new wall murals picturing aerial views of Coats, USN Blue Angels flight suit, Rescue Squad coveralls and several other new display items.
A special thank you goes to H.L. Sorrell for remembering Roy Penny and Sue Johnson Richey with memorials to the Coats Museum Endowment.