The Daily Record
COATS MUSEUM NEWS
News had reached The Daily Record that Army Spc. 3rd Class Earl T. Stanley, 20, whose wife, Linda, lived in Coats, was scheduled to participate in “Exercise Eagle Wing,” an 101st Airborne Division maneuver at Fort Campbell, Ky. Another young man from Coats, Spc. 3rd Class Donald D. Stewart, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stewart, had recently participated in a field training exercise with the 11th Airborne Division in Germany. Spc. Stewart was a fire team leader in Company D of the division’s 502nd Infantry. Spc. Stewart had entered the Army in June 1956 and was a 1955 graduate of Coats High School ( The Daily Record, Apr. 9, 1958).
Those of you who read the column weekly know that the news covers those who had roots in Coats or the surrounding area. You have learned who was born, had died, had married, had served, had partied, had community and school involvement and much more. One name that often appeared in the paper was that of H.A. Turlington Sr. On this date, he had purchased a Durroc boar named “Gold Dust” and had paid $1,000. Mr. Turlington had been a hog breeder since 1917 in the Turlington’s Crossroads area ( The Daily Record, April 10, 1958).
Other news shared was that Dewey and Shirley Gray Norris Mangum had announced the arrival of a son at Betsy Johnson Hospital. The mother was the former Shirley Norris, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Norris Sr. Nearer to Dunn, the readers read that Ida Sue Neighbors had toured with the Atlantic Christian College Chorus that presented 14 programs in eight eastern North Carolina counties during a weeklong tour ( The Daily Record, April 4, 1958). Does anyone know who Ida Sue married from Coats?
Does anyone recall the name of the North Carolina governor who promised that he would build roads from the farms to markets? Was it W. Kerr Scott who served later as our U.S. senator and who died on his 62nd birthday of a heart attack? He was the fifth U.S. senator to suffer a heart attack in the last 12 years ( The Daily Record, April 17, 1958).
‘Queen For The Day’
Stacy Byrd was honored with a stork shower at the house of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Byrd. Jean Byrd and Barbee Matthews were the co-hostesses. “Queen for the Day” was played and naturally Mrs. Byrd was the queen and hence was awarded many gifts. Does anyone remember when “Queen for the Day” was a popular television show?
At school, the junior class at Coats High honored the senior class with a trip to the heavens at the Junior Senior Banquet. The starlit theme “Rhapsody of the Stars” provided a moon glow atmosphere. Ruth Lewis was master of ceremonies, class president Larry Denning presented the toast and senior class President Jerry Huff responded. Harold Dixon emceed the program in the form of the “George Gobel Show.” Margaret Grimm sang.
Although the party atmosphere was prevalent in the area, it did not deter the death angel from making visits to the homes around Coats. Mamie E. Norris, 76, of Coats, had her funeral services in Red Hill Freewill Baptist Church. Survivors were three daughters, Mrs. B.D. Morrison, Mrs. J.A. Spivey and Mrs. Howard Avery. James Norris was a stepson. Mrs. V.T. Suggs was her sister ( The Daily Record, April 22, 1958).
Mr. and Mrs. Evans Beasley of Route 1, Coats, announced the birth of a daughter, Helen Marie, on April 25. Marie Hall was the mom. Judy Grey Butler, 3-dayold daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Lee Butler of rural Dunn, had died at Betsy Johnson Hospital. She was survived by one brother, Gary Lee Butler ( The Daily Record, April 28, 1958). Does anyone know the Coats connection?
Several families brought newborns into their homes. Mr. and Mrs. John Ray Roberts welcomed Penny Sue while Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Norris, Sr., brought home a daughter. Mrs. Norris was the former Mabel Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Thurman Smith of Coats shared news of the birth of Kathy Elaine. Mrs. Smith was the former Thelma Beasley. Was Mrs. Roberts the former Doris Mae Butler?
The Oakdale Home Demonstration Club met in their clubroom in the former Oakdale School to have a contest designed to observe “N.C. Dress Right Week.” Mrs. Carson Gregory was the judge. Mrs. Alonzo Coats won and also presented a skit on health safety while fishing for fun ( The Daily Record, May 6, 1958).
Happens Again
Folks! It happened again. A storm ripped off the tin on the barns, scattered debris and uprooted trees between Angier and Barclaysville. Milton Bryant, Everett Barnes, Eddie Parrish and Oscar Young were owners of the farms. Parrish lost six tobacco barns ( The Daily Record, May 7, 1958).
Not far from that area, Miss Lea Joy Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo L Johnson, won a scholarship to Woman’s College in Greensboro. She was a 12-year honor student at Coats School ( The Daily Record, May 8, 1958).
Sarah Lou McLamb of rural Benson had died at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Smithfield. She was the daughter of T.C. and Sarah Ellen Miller. She was wife of W. Jefferson McLamb. Mrs. Rupert Stewart was a daughter and her siblings were Wiley Miller, Johnny Miller, Charlie Miller, Emery Miller and Mrs. J.K. Griffin ( The Daily Record, May 8, 1958).
Death came and took several other area citizens. Charles Edward Stuart and Marvin McGee of rural Angier had died. James P. Morgan, 45, of rural Dunn was buried in the Williams Cemetery. His wife was Eunie Williams Morgan. Susie Mae Morgan was his daughter. Three brothers survived and Eugene was from Coats ( The Daily Record, May 12, 1958).
Members of the Harnett County Board of Commissioners were honored with an attractive luncheon in the agriculture building in Lillington. Mrs. Johnnie Barnes had decorated and Mrs. Garland Coats served for the Oakdale Club. There were 18 Home Demonstration clubs. Wives had gone to public jobs but the clubs had added 50 new members in 1958 ( The Daily Record, May 14, 1958). Wonder if they served the HCBOC also.
Peggy Sue Stephenson had married Alcy Gradon Bryan. She was granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Stewart of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church. Did you ever make a birdhouse or a rabbit box? Maybe you made a pea shooter from a dogwood branch. L.T. Kennedy of Coats made bird apartments. He made them from hollowed gourds for martins around his house. What does a martin look like? Are they black, grey, red or brown? Why would anyone want to attract dozens of martins into one’s yard?
This I do know. Coats graduate Edison Johnson had had a distinguished career with Patton’s Third Army during World War II. He was the youngest major in his outfit and left service as a lieutenant colonel after winning the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star with four battle stars. The 1936 Coats High graduate returned as the 1958 Coats High School graduation speaker. He also had graduated with a degree in construction engineering from North Carolina State before entering military service ( The Daily Record, May 27, 1958).
Coats Museum Notes
Brian Davis’ book signing at the museum on May 15 brought in his friends, family and educators from the area, county and state. The museum has on display his latest book plus most of his previous ones. Thanks to all who supported Brian in his ministry.
We also enjoyed giving a tour to several members of the Coats High Class of 1957. Thanks for dropping in. Thanks to Max Matthews for bringing his wedding and anniversary pictures to scan for display in the museum and later to be added into our Wedding Book in our Research Library. We also have on display in our glass tunnel exhibit of wedding attire, Dorothy’s dress which was worn at Max and her 50th wedding anniversary in 2008.
The Kiwanis Club of Coats has been a continuing supporter of the Coats Museum since 1996; hence, we were excited that many of the Coats Kiwanians joined about 20 members from the Angier Kiwanis Club for a tour of both the Heritage and Cotton Museums.
If it takes a village to raise a child, then it truly takes a community to build and operate a museum. A special thank you goes to Teresa Honeycutt who does an impeccable job on our grounds, to Paul Parker who keeps all our lights burning, to David Barnes who insures that our technology is current, to the citizens who come forth with donations of articles for display and financial donations to operate the facility.
When dozens of compliments come to the volunteers as they conduct tours, the volunteers are indeed aware that it takes their dedication, a supportive board and caring communities to make it all come together.
COATS MUSEUM NEWS
GAYLE SORRELL
