March 25, 2016 Coats Museum News
Julia Taylor Gregory was a talented Coats High School graduate of 1964. When the History Committee for the Coats Centennial project was collecting materials for our Heritage of Coats, North Carolina book, Julia Taylor Gregory came forth with a poem that shared some of her memories of life on Main Street Coats. Please travel with her into the life of the town in the 50’s and 60’s.
Many, many years ago, in our little one-horse town; Main Street drew local folks like a circus draws a clown. Let us journey back a few years now through the old Main Street we knew; to venture a glimpse down Memory Lane to see if you can remember it, too. Stores lined Main Street on each side, with the depot marking midway; from grocers down to the theater, and the post office was in this display.
A hardware store, bank, and barber shops helped to line the old Main Street; with the clothing stores just a block apart, oh, but aren’t the memories sweet? Every Saturday in the late afternoon, old Main Street was totally lined, with everyone, both young and old, standing and talking ‘til closing time.
On Wednesday night at the theater, everyone was admitted free; Mrs. Yarley’s theater would overflow from front row to the balcony. Every so often on a Saturday, a carnival would come to town with rides and games and side shows and people came from all around.
Street dances were a regular thing with J.D. Norris as the emcee; and many local talents would sing such as Delbert Lockamy. Once we had a radio station above J.D. Lamm’s grocery store. After school we’d rush up there to give Clyde Stone requests by the score. Some Saturday nights at Coats High School, Hank Johnson and his band would play with Alan Shelton on the banjo, loud, and Roy Russell on his fiddle, “ole”.
Let’s get back to Main Street now and think backwards a little more. Can you see the street just as it was and see the owners of the stores? In memory, I can see them all so plain- standing in the doorways of their stores; Clem Godwin raises his right hand and nods while Tony and Buck display tools and more.
Eumanese Ennis was another grocer, a business carried on by Earl, his son; along with Mr. and Mrs. Casper Noles who sold gas to keep our cars on the run.
Mrs. Lucy Kelly put up the mail and had kind words for all; young Mrs. Ophelia Roberts was there helping carry out mail call. O.K. and Billie Keene, along with Vic and Lerma Lee, kept us all in clothes and shoes and they always aimed to please.
Grady Partin and Garland Coats were barbers with towels about their necks while Theddy Ryals and Otis Coats sold groceries by the peck. Haywood Roberts sold hardware as Nassie , Herbert and J.D. sold real estate; Howard Barnes sold everything from dog food to T-bone steaks.
Marvin Johnson and Maude Avery kept everybody fed; Mayton Junior and his dad cleaned everything, so it’s said. Oh no! We can’t forget McKnight, king of the cherry coke, not to mention the romantic booths, shared over an ice cream float.
Bill Avery and Graymon Powell kept cars tuned and running right and Mrs. Upchurch did everyone’s flowers from morning till noon and at night. Dr. Fleming was the town’s physician until his most untimely death; when Dr. Moore came on the scene, putting worried minds to rest.
Every morning bright and early, you’d know his car was pulling out as Thomas Williams made his way, delivering mail to the rural route. Every day at noon you’d hear, Coats Baptist Church bells ring for Mr. Charlie Williams was pulling on the strings.
D.H. Surles ran a fruit stand while Son Weaver ran a store, and Mrs. Lucy was busy sewing as the Stewarts ground the corn. Beside the road stood a cotton gin which Fred Byrd owned and ran and we also had a saw mill run by Felix Stewart and his sons’ hands.
I recall a horse and wagon ride to Harnett County Centennial Parade in Coats with my Papa Richard McLeod who brought Gayle, Boe and me to see the floats. The one thing that stands out to me was a black surrey with the fringe on top with Becky and Dwight Ennis riding along as their horse went …clop…clop.
Fleetwood Adams and Roy Rogers Stewart were on hand to cut men’s hair as Rosie O’Neal ran a dime store with bargains to compare. Coats Motor Company was selling cars which kept Guy and Eugene on their feet with Carl Parrish, Dalton Hargis and Aubrey Wood and also Orton Stewart as mechanics you’d see. Mr. Nichols ran a little store and sold most everything and Clayborn Norris was the jeweler-he sold necklaces, watches and rings.
There is another one I recall; his beard was white as snow. He lived to be a hundred; it was Bill Dad Williams you know. Every day at the edge of dark you’d see this man makes his rounds in his long dark overcoat- Angie Godwin was guarding the town.
Luke Barefoot’s was a teen hangout where curb service was a delight. Oh the burgers we did eat for a quarter and a drink for a dime! Back then, everyone knew everyone and, for the most part, were related; it was a time where everyone gladly stopped to lend a hand to help a neighbor.
The streets are not as busy these days though the buildings do still stand; I can say straight from the heart, to me, the best town in the land. Traveling on Main Street today, it is heart breaking to see, the boarded up windows and locked up stores that were once filled with shoppers and glee.
Oh, yes, the town has changed over time with new faces, businesses and such but, all in all, I can safely say-being a resident here is great luck. I’d like to thank my parents now for raising us three girls here. William and Grace Taylor, you chose a small town with people so dear.
If I have overlooked anyone, I do sincerely apologize but I could no more name them all than I could count the stars at night. I hope you have enjoyed this little trip down the Main Street of Coats with me; I think it keeps one young at heart to recall when life was so simple and sweet.
Julia, I want to recall you told us later that you had forgotten a few of the many merchants in town but you did a magnificent job in carrying many Coats folks down memory lane. Thank you!
Many of the following students likely have similar memories of Coats that Julia Taylor Gregory had in her above poem. The Coats High School Class of 1957-58 had elected their officers: Jerry Huff-president, Tony Pope-vice president, Norma Lee Johnson-secretary, Barbara Stewart-treasurer, and Julia Ann Whittington-reporter. Other seniors who were elected to important positions were Joyce E. Johnson-historian, Jo Carol Penny-prophet, Patsy Byrd-testator, and Barbara Pope-poet (Daily Record September 18, 1957).
The school yearbooks are a means to record the history of the young people in a small town. For example, the 1958 Coats High Echoing Memories staff was in place and had Norma Lee Johnson as editor and Patricia Byrd as business manager. To assist the editor, a staff made up of Sybil Beasley, Julia Whittington, Linda Sue Ennis, Jackie Stephenson, Shelby Stephenson, Eleana Wilborn, Joy Dan Clayton, Joyce Jernigan, and Barbara Pope.
Patricia Byrd had many on her business team such as Vickie Lou Lee, Jo Carol Penny, Donnie Dorman, Ernestine Creech, Janie Underwood, Joyce E. Johnson, Bernie Mack Byrd, and Billy Weaver to make her task run smoothly (Echoing Memories 1958). Read next week to learn more about the Coats High Class of 1958. Who were class mascots? Of course, more weddings and obituaries will likely be revisited.
The museum volunteers are having fun readying items for the new exhibit in the glass tunnel, mini rooms and several cabinet exhibits. You will be in for some awesome surprises. We continue to need a flower girl dress and a ring bearer suit that were worn by two local children. We also would love to have one of those little pedal cars that our children enjoyed when they were preschool age.
Many of you remember Jim Thornton from his many years on television where he sang and entertained thousands of his faithful followers. His daughter Genevieve married a man with deep roots in the Coats Grove area through the Penny and Sorrell families. Thank you goes to Billy and Genevieve Sorrell for giving a generous donation to help maintain the Coats Museum.
Julia Taylor Gregory was a talented Coats High School graduate of 1964. When the History Committee for the Coats Centennial project was collecting materials for our Heritage of Coats, North Carolina book, Julia Taylor Gregory came forth with a poem that shared some of her memories of life on Main Street Coats. Please travel with her into the life of the town in the 50’s and 60’s.
Many, many years ago, in our little one-horse town; Main Street drew local folks like a circus draws a clown. Let us journey back a few years now through the old Main Street we knew; to venture a glimpse down Memory Lane to see if you can remember it, too. Stores lined Main Street on each side, with the depot marking midway; from grocers down to the theater, and the post office was in this display.
A hardware store, bank, and barber shops helped to line the old Main Street; with the clothing stores just a block apart, oh, but aren’t the memories sweet? Every Saturday in the late afternoon, old Main Street was totally lined, with everyone, both young and old, standing and talking ‘til closing time.
On Wednesday night at the theater, everyone was admitted free; Mrs. Yarley’s theater would overflow from front row to the balcony. Every so often on a Saturday, a carnival would come to town with rides and games and side shows and people came from all around.
Street dances were a regular thing with J.D. Norris as the emcee; and many local talents would sing such as Delbert Lockamy. Once we had a radio station above J.D. Lamm’s grocery store. After school we’d rush up there to give Clyde Stone requests by the score. Some Saturday nights at Coats High School, Hank Johnson and his band would play with Alan Shelton on the banjo, loud, and Roy Russell on his fiddle, “ole”.
Let’s get back to Main Street now and think backwards a little more. Can you see the street just as it was and see the owners of the stores? In memory, I can see them all so plain- standing in the doorways of their stores; Clem Godwin raises his right hand and nods while Tony and Buck display tools and more.
Eumanese Ennis was another grocer, a business carried on by Earl, his son; along with Mr. and Mrs. Casper Noles who sold gas to keep our cars on the run.
Mrs. Lucy Kelly put up the mail and had kind words for all; young Mrs. Ophelia Roberts was there helping carry out mail call. O.K. and Billie Keene, along with Vic and Lerma Lee, kept us all in clothes and shoes and they always aimed to please.
Grady Partin and Garland Coats were barbers with towels about their necks while Theddy Ryals and Otis Coats sold groceries by the peck. Haywood Roberts sold hardware as Nassie , Herbert and J.D. sold real estate; Howard Barnes sold everything from dog food to T-bone steaks.
Marvin Johnson and Maude Avery kept everybody fed; Mayton Junior and his dad cleaned everything, so it’s said. Oh no! We can’t forget McKnight, king of the cherry coke, not to mention the romantic booths, shared over an ice cream float.
Bill Avery and Graymon Powell kept cars tuned and running right and Mrs. Upchurch did everyone’s flowers from morning till noon and at night. Dr. Fleming was the town’s physician until his most untimely death; when Dr. Moore came on the scene, putting worried minds to rest.
Every morning bright and early, you’d know his car was pulling out as Thomas Williams made his way, delivering mail to the rural route. Every day at noon you’d hear, Coats Baptist Church bells ring for Mr. Charlie Williams was pulling on the strings.
D.H. Surles ran a fruit stand while Son Weaver ran a store, and Mrs. Lucy was busy sewing as the Stewarts ground the corn. Beside the road stood a cotton gin which Fred Byrd owned and ran and we also had a saw mill run by Felix Stewart and his sons’ hands.
I recall a horse and wagon ride to Harnett County Centennial Parade in Coats with my Papa Richard McLeod who brought Gayle, Boe and me to see the floats. The one thing that stands out to me was a black surrey with the fringe on top with Becky and Dwight Ennis riding along as their horse went …clop…clop.
Fleetwood Adams and Roy Rogers Stewart were on hand to cut men’s hair as Rosie O’Neal ran a dime store with bargains to compare. Coats Motor Company was selling cars which kept Guy and Eugene on their feet with Carl Parrish, Dalton Hargis and Aubrey Wood and also Orton Stewart as mechanics you’d see. Mr. Nichols ran a little store and sold most everything and Clayborn Norris was the jeweler-he sold necklaces, watches and rings.
There is another one I recall; his beard was white as snow. He lived to be a hundred; it was Bill Dad Williams you know. Every day at the edge of dark you’d see this man makes his rounds in his long dark overcoat- Angie Godwin was guarding the town.
Luke Barefoot’s was a teen hangout where curb service was a delight. Oh the burgers we did eat for a quarter and a drink for a dime! Back then, everyone knew everyone and, for the most part, were related; it was a time where everyone gladly stopped to lend a hand to help a neighbor.
The streets are not as busy these days though the buildings do still stand; I can say straight from the heart, to me, the best town in the land. Traveling on Main Street today, it is heart breaking to see, the boarded up windows and locked up stores that were once filled with shoppers and glee.
Oh, yes, the town has changed over time with new faces, businesses and such but, all in all, I can safely say-being a resident here is great luck. I’d like to thank my parents now for raising us three girls here. William and Grace Taylor, you chose a small town with people so dear.
If I have overlooked anyone, I do sincerely apologize but I could no more name them all than I could count the stars at night. I hope you have enjoyed this little trip down the Main Street of Coats with me; I think it keeps one young at heart to recall when life was so simple and sweet.
Julia, I want to recall you told us later that you had forgotten a few of the many merchants in town but you did a magnificent job in carrying many Coats folks down memory lane. Thank you!
Many of the following students likely have similar memories of Coats that Julia Taylor Gregory had in her above poem. The Coats High School Class of 1957-58 had elected their officers: Jerry Huff-president, Tony Pope-vice president, Norma Lee Johnson-secretary, Barbara Stewart-treasurer, and Julia Ann Whittington-reporter. Other seniors who were elected to important positions were Joyce E. Johnson-historian, Jo Carol Penny-prophet, Patsy Byrd-testator, and Barbara Pope-poet (Daily Record September 18, 1957).
The school yearbooks are a means to record the history of the young people in a small town. For example, the 1958 Coats High Echoing Memories staff was in place and had Norma Lee Johnson as editor and Patricia Byrd as business manager. To assist the editor, a staff made up of Sybil Beasley, Julia Whittington, Linda Sue Ennis, Jackie Stephenson, Shelby Stephenson, Eleana Wilborn, Joy Dan Clayton, Joyce Jernigan, and Barbara Pope.
Patricia Byrd had many on her business team such as Vickie Lou Lee, Jo Carol Penny, Donnie Dorman, Ernestine Creech, Janie Underwood, Joyce E. Johnson, Bernie Mack Byrd, and Billy Weaver to make her task run smoothly (Echoing Memories 1958). Read next week to learn more about the Coats High Class of 1958. Who were class mascots? Of course, more weddings and obituaries will likely be revisited.
The museum volunteers are having fun readying items for the new exhibit in the glass tunnel, mini rooms and several cabinet exhibits. You will be in for some awesome surprises. We continue to need a flower girl dress and a ring bearer suit that were worn by two local children. We also would love to have one of those little pedal cars that our children enjoyed when they were preschool age.
Many of you remember Jim Thornton from his many years on television where he sang and entertained thousands of his faithful followers. His daughter Genevieve married a man with deep roots in the Coats Grove area through the Penny and Sorrell families. Thank you goes to Billy and Genevieve Sorrell for giving a generous donation to help maintain the Coats Museum.