September 20, 2019 Coats Museum News
Fall was fast approaching as the Coats Farmers Day volunteers were gearing up for big crowds from throughout the state. The event was set for Oct. 12-14th and Patsy Joyner and Janice Lucas were involved in the preparations (Daily Record Sept. 19, 1979).
James Talton Pleasant, 76, of Route One, Coats, had died at Good Hope Hospital following an extended illness. The retired farmer was the son of the late Jim M. Pleasant and Ida Lee Pleasant. He was survived by his wife, Ettie Mae Pleasant, and seven sons-J.L., Wesley, Sherrill, Gerald, Robert, Glen Elwood, and Cecil Pleasant. Alvis, Clifford, Carlie, and Velton Pleasant were his brothers (Daily Record September 20, 1979).
Question-did I write that Mr. Talton had won a car at the County Fair in Dunn many years earlier?
I do know that another death touched Coats families. Mrs. Ina Lee Wood, 79, of Coats had died on Sunday. She had been a patient at Charles Parrish Nursing Center. Her parents were the late Young Martin (Tom) Lee and Julia Frances Lee. She was survived by four daughters-Mrs. Ernest Browning, Mrs. Herbert Brooks, Katherine Barrington, and Norma Jean Wood and sons-Herbert, Willard and and Paul Wood (Daily Record Sept. 24, 1979). Is this the grandmother of Keith and Michael Wood?
Did any of you have Mrs. Mary Stewart as one of your teachers in Coats Elementary School? She lived near Turlington’s Crossroads and was the wife of the late T.D. Stewart. She jokingly shared with me one time that someone asked her husband what the “D” in his name stood for? He replied to the inquirer that you don’t want to know.
Correct me, Stewart family, if I am wrong as to what the “D” stood for in Mr. T.D. Stewart’s name. T. D.’s mother and father were Gustave Monroe Stewart and Cora Turlington Stewart. You may remember that Gustave Stewart was the innovative gentleman who made a covered wagon to transport students from Turlington Crossroads to the District #3 Coats School before there were school “trucks.” Cora was the daughter of “Devereux” Turlington and Bettie Jane Stewart. Does it make sense that Cora named her son after his grandfather Devereux Turlington, son of Andrew Jackson Turlington and Brazilla Denning Turlington? (Heritage of Coats, NC-p. 195)If I am wrong on this history, I invite the correction info.
I might note that the Stewart history compiled by Mark Valsame is found in Vol. 2 pp. 185-204 of The Heritage of Coats, NC is very informative; but for now, let’s read about a descendant of T.D. and Mary Stewart. Mr. and Mrs. Rupert Ripley Sizemore, Jr. announced the birth of a daughter, Haley Stewart Sizemore. Mrs. Sizemore was the former Margaret Carol Stewart and Mrs. T.D. Stewart was the maternal grandmother (Daily Record Sept. 27, 1979).
Another birth was announced in the Daily Record Oct. 4, 1979 edition. Mr. and Mrs. James Nelson Jackson of Coats announced the birth of a daughter, Catherine Ruth Jackson. Mr. and Mrs. James A. Jackson were the paternal grandparent; whereas, Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Sorrell, Jr. were maternal grandparents.
Around 200 people helped celebrate the 90th birthday of Mrs. Lillian Moore (Daily Record Oct. 11, 1979).
Trophies were to be given for about 30 categories in the Coats Farmers Day. Businesses were generous in supporting the events (Daily Record Oct. 11, 1979).
Another prominent lady was honored with a birthday celebration. The children of Mrs. M.E. Ennis of Coats honored their mother on Oct. 7th at a birthday dinner at the home of her son, Charles Ennis. The event marked Mrs. Ennis’s 81st birthday. Mrs. Ennis was a well-known resident of Coats for 60 years, but resided at the Golden Years Nursing Home in Falcon. The children hosting the event were Edna Ennis, Sue Benner, Earl Ennis, Clyde Ennis, Warren Ennis, Charles Ennis and Shelton Ennis. One daughter, Helen Ennis, was deceased but her husband Carlos Dixon, was part of the festivities (Daily Record Oct. 18, 1979).
Norwood Earl Jones, Jr., a recent graduate of the Campbell Law school, opened an office in Coats on 403 S. McKinley Street, beside the ABC Store on NC55 (Daily Record Oct. 22, 1979).
Former Sheriff Wade Stewart had died on Sunday. He was the son of the late Tom Stewart (Daily Record Oct. 29, 1979). There so many Stewarts in Harnett County and, of course, Sheriff Stewart was a very well known man and may I add that many of the younger readers may not recognize his name but will recognize the name of his son, the late Larry Stewart, who was a driver’s license examiner. His grandson, Dr. Chris Stewart, formerly practiced medicine in Coats and is currently associated with the Campbell Medical School.
Dr. Linda Moore Robinson was named a diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice (Daily Record Oct.31. 1979). That was special, right? All doctors do not achieve this status, correct?
As we have traveled through the pages of the Daily Record these past few columns, you have read about the death of the wife of a former Coats mayor and daughter of the town’s founder and namesake, the death of a former popular pharmacist, and the passing of a former sheriff. Now you ask, Who’s next? Mamie Eisenhower, widow of the nation’s 34th president, had died in her sleep at 1: 30 AM at the Walter Reed Army Hospital. She was to be 83 in mid November (Daily Record Nov. 1, 1979).
Two more deaths were written about in the Nov. 1st and Nov. 5th editions of the Daily Record. Mrs. Nancy Parker Matthews, 53, of Coats, had died on Tuesday. Mrs. Matthews was the daughter of the late Thomas Stone and Betsy May Moore Stone. She had several children and two sons- Jimmy E. and R. Parker were from Coats. A stepson, Willie, and a stepdaughter, Mrs. Estline Honeycutt were two of Coats. Layton Stone was her brother.
The second death was that of Roosevelt “Velt” Pleasant, 74, of Route 1, who had died on Saturday. He was a retired farmer. His second wife, Mrs. Cora Adams Johnson Pleasant, survived him. He had three daughters; one was from Coats-Mrs. Mack Ray Williams.
Remember when field trials were a big attraction. Field trials were held in Coats at the farm owned by J.W. Sorrell, Jr. who is known far and wide for the dogs he raises and sells. We often have men visit the museum from out of town and state who ask if I am kin to J.W. when they read Sorrell on my museum tag. I shared this info with J.W. when I was shopping at his daughter-in-law‘s nursery and he said indeed he and Geneva had orders for dogs from all parts of the US. I would say that Turlington Road and Red Hill Church Road have quite a few rural businesses of which Coats folks can be proud.
Speaking of being proud, I bet the parents of Ricky Clarence Heath had to be elated at the accomplishment of earning the rank of Eagle Scout as a member of Explorer Post 779 and Scout Troop 779. Ricky had won 11 skill awards and some 36-merit badges and was also a member of the Arrow. Ricky was a student at Coats High School (Daily Record Nov. 14, 1979).
We are very excited that the museum is sponsoring a Scouting exhibit to recognize the achievements of former scouts. Please know that we need the help of the scouting community to share info to make this display one that will encourage other young people to pursue scouting. Thus far Marc Powell, Michael Messer, B.W. Holland and Vickie Byrd (?) have items for display. Join them in sharing your scouting memorabilia.
Several weeks ago, a friend of the museum shared with us a picture of Clarence Moore. We added the picture in the column but were incorrect in identifying the lady in the picture as being Mrs. Clarence Moore. The lady was Clarence’s sister, Cassie Mae Moore. We were so excited to have Clarence’s daughters, Hilda Moore Warren and Betty Moore Gregory drop by to correct our error-We want our history to be correct. Hilda was a delightful visitor as she recalled that her daddy Clarence had been a policeman in Coats, Dunn, Erwin and deputy sheriff in Harnett County. Thank you, ladies; you are always welcomed back to Coats for a visit.
A thank you also goes to H. L. Sorrell for remembering Laine Coats Massengill and David Denning with memorial donations to the Coats Museum Endowment. Rhonda and Randy Stephenson and Lynda and Robie Butler remembered David with memorials to the Coats Museum. What a wonderful way to remember a former classmate, friend or relative by giving to a museum that has a goal to preserve the history of the Coats area.
Fall was fast approaching as the Coats Farmers Day volunteers were gearing up for big crowds from throughout the state. The event was set for Oct. 12-14th and Patsy Joyner and Janice Lucas were involved in the preparations (Daily Record Sept. 19, 1979).
James Talton Pleasant, 76, of Route One, Coats, had died at Good Hope Hospital following an extended illness. The retired farmer was the son of the late Jim M. Pleasant and Ida Lee Pleasant. He was survived by his wife, Ettie Mae Pleasant, and seven sons-J.L., Wesley, Sherrill, Gerald, Robert, Glen Elwood, and Cecil Pleasant. Alvis, Clifford, Carlie, and Velton Pleasant were his brothers (Daily Record September 20, 1979).
Question-did I write that Mr. Talton had won a car at the County Fair in Dunn many years earlier?
I do know that another death touched Coats families. Mrs. Ina Lee Wood, 79, of Coats had died on Sunday. She had been a patient at Charles Parrish Nursing Center. Her parents were the late Young Martin (Tom) Lee and Julia Frances Lee. She was survived by four daughters-Mrs. Ernest Browning, Mrs. Herbert Brooks, Katherine Barrington, and Norma Jean Wood and sons-Herbert, Willard and and Paul Wood (Daily Record Sept. 24, 1979). Is this the grandmother of Keith and Michael Wood?
Did any of you have Mrs. Mary Stewart as one of your teachers in Coats Elementary School? She lived near Turlington’s Crossroads and was the wife of the late T.D. Stewart. She jokingly shared with me one time that someone asked her husband what the “D” in his name stood for? He replied to the inquirer that you don’t want to know.
Correct me, Stewart family, if I am wrong as to what the “D” stood for in Mr. T.D. Stewart’s name. T. D.’s mother and father were Gustave Monroe Stewart and Cora Turlington Stewart. You may remember that Gustave Stewart was the innovative gentleman who made a covered wagon to transport students from Turlington Crossroads to the District #3 Coats School before there were school “trucks.” Cora was the daughter of “Devereux” Turlington and Bettie Jane Stewart. Does it make sense that Cora named her son after his grandfather Devereux Turlington, son of Andrew Jackson Turlington and Brazilla Denning Turlington? (Heritage of Coats, NC-p. 195)If I am wrong on this history, I invite the correction info.
I might note that the Stewart history compiled by Mark Valsame is found in Vol. 2 pp. 185-204 of The Heritage of Coats, NC is very informative; but for now, let’s read about a descendant of T.D. and Mary Stewart. Mr. and Mrs. Rupert Ripley Sizemore, Jr. announced the birth of a daughter, Haley Stewart Sizemore. Mrs. Sizemore was the former Margaret Carol Stewart and Mrs. T.D. Stewart was the maternal grandmother (Daily Record Sept. 27, 1979).
Another birth was announced in the Daily Record Oct. 4, 1979 edition. Mr. and Mrs. James Nelson Jackson of Coats announced the birth of a daughter, Catherine Ruth Jackson. Mr. and Mrs. James A. Jackson were the paternal grandparent; whereas, Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Sorrell, Jr. were maternal grandparents.
Around 200 people helped celebrate the 90th birthday of Mrs. Lillian Moore (Daily Record Oct. 11, 1979).
Trophies were to be given for about 30 categories in the Coats Farmers Day. Businesses were generous in supporting the events (Daily Record Oct. 11, 1979).
Another prominent lady was honored with a birthday celebration. The children of Mrs. M.E. Ennis of Coats honored their mother on Oct. 7th at a birthday dinner at the home of her son, Charles Ennis. The event marked Mrs. Ennis’s 81st birthday. Mrs. Ennis was a well-known resident of Coats for 60 years, but resided at the Golden Years Nursing Home in Falcon. The children hosting the event were Edna Ennis, Sue Benner, Earl Ennis, Clyde Ennis, Warren Ennis, Charles Ennis and Shelton Ennis. One daughter, Helen Ennis, was deceased but her husband Carlos Dixon, was part of the festivities (Daily Record Oct. 18, 1979).
Norwood Earl Jones, Jr., a recent graduate of the Campbell Law school, opened an office in Coats on 403 S. McKinley Street, beside the ABC Store on NC55 (Daily Record Oct. 22, 1979).
Former Sheriff Wade Stewart had died on Sunday. He was the son of the late Tom Stewart (Daily Record Oct. 29, 1979). There so many Stewarts in Harnett County and, of course, Sheriff Stewart was a very well known man and may I add that many of the younger readers may not recognize his name but will recognize the name of his son, the late Larry Stewart, who was a driver’s license examiner. His grandson, Dr. Chris Stewart, formerly practiced medicine in Coats and is currently associated with the Campbell Medical School.
Dr. Linda Moore Robinson was named a diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice (Daily Record Oct.31. 1979). That was special, right? All doctors do not achieve this status, correct?
As we have traveled through the pages of the Daily Record these past few columns, you have read about the death of the wife of a former Coats mayor and daughter of the town’s founder and namesake, the death of a former popular pharmacist, and the passing of a former sheriff. Now you ask, Who’s next? Mamie Eisenhower, widow of the nation’s 34th president, had died in her sleep at 1: 30 AM at the Walter Reed Army Hospital. She was to be 83 in mid November (Daily Record Nov. 1, 1979).
Two more deaths were written about in the Nov. 1st and Nov. 5th editions of the Daily Record. Mrs. Nancy Parker Matthews, 53, of Coats, had died on Tuesday. Mrs. Matthews was the daughter of the late Thomas Stone and Betsy May Moore Stone. She had several children and two sons- Jimmy E. and R. Parker were from Coats. A stepson, Willie, and a stepdaughter, Mrs. Estline Honeycutt were two of Coats. Layton Stone was her brother.
The second death was that of Roosevelt “Velt” Pleasant, 74, of Route 1, who had died on Saturday. He was a retired farmer. His second wife, Mrs. Cora Adams Johnson Pleasant, survived him. He had three daughters; one was from Coats-Mrs. Mack Ray Williams.
Remember when field trials were a big attraction. Field trials were held in Coats at the farm owned by J.W. Sorrell, Jr. who is known far and wide for the dogs he raises and sells. We often have men visit the museum from out of town and state who ask if I am kin to J.W. when they read Sorrell on my museum tag. I shared this info with J.W. when I was shopping at his daughter-in-law‘s nursery and he said indeed he and Geneva had orders for dogs from all parts of the US. I would say that Turlington Road and Red Hill Church Road have quite a few rural businesses of which Coats folks can be proud.
Speaking of being proud, I bet the parents of Ricky Clarence Heath had to be elated at the accomplishment of earning the rank of Eagle Scout as a member of Explorer Post 779 and Scout Troop 779. Ricky had won 11 skill awards and some 36-merit badges and was also a member of the Arrow. Ricky was a student at Coats High School (Daily Record Nov. 14, 1979).
We are very excited that the museum is sponsoring a Scouting exhibit to recognize the achievements of former scouts. Please know that we need the help of the scouting community to share info to make this display one that will encourage other young people to pursue scouting. Thus far Marc Powell, Michael Messer, B.W. Holland and Vickie Byrd (?) have items for display. Join them in sharing your scouting memorabilia.
Several weeks ago, a friend of the museum shared with us a picture of Clarence Moore. We added the picture in the column but were incorrect in identifying the lady in the picture as being Mrs. Clarence Moore. The lady was Clarence’s sister, Cassie Mae Moore. We were so excited to have Clarence’s daughters, Hilda Moore Warren and Betty Moore Gregory drop by to correct our error-We want our history to be correct. Hilda was a delightful visitor as she recalled that her daddy Clarence had been a policeman in Coats, Dunn, Erwin and deputy sheriff in Harnett County. Thank you, ladies; you are always welcomed back to Coats for a visit.
A thank you also goes to H. L. Sorrell for remembering Laine Coats Massengill and David Denning with memorial donations to the Coats Museum Endowment. Rhonda and Randy Stephenson and Lynda and Robie Butler remembered David with memorials to the Coats Museum. What a wonderful way to remember a former classmate, friend or relative by giving to a museum that has a goal to preserve the history of the Coats area.