Elmina Coble Cashwell

TARBORO — Elmina Coble Cashwell passed quietly in her Tarboro home on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, following a brief illness. She was surrounded by her loving family.

Elmina was predeceased by her husband of fifty years, Robert Lee Cashwell; by her parents, Sallie Ruth Lamm Coble and David Carlyle Coble; and by her only brother, David Scott Coble.

The oldest of five children, she was born Elmina Coble on December 10, 1934 in Bladen County, North Carolina, to Sallie Ruth and David Carlyle. She graduated as Valedictorian of her senior class at Garland High School and married her high school sweetheart, Robert. They reared one daughter and three sons.

At 37, Elmina started college. She commuted to East Carolina University, graduated Magna Cum Laude in three years, and began her career teaching middle school in Edgecombe and Vance counties. She continued her post-graduate studies at NCCU, achieving her M.Ed.

After twenty years in service to North Carolina public schools, Elmina enjoyed an active retirement, traveling extensively with her daughter and other family members to over 40 countries, including Australia, China, Greece, India, Nepal, Peru, Russia, and Turkey, and to 48 states by herself or with other companions. She was a charter member of the Tar River Players, with which she performed twelve roles during the group's first nine seasons.

For over fifty years, she was an active and devoted member of Saint James United Methodist Church, serving as scripture reader during Sunday services, a financial officer, Disciple Bible Study Instructor at the Mary Frances Center, and on numerous church committees. She was an enthusiastic member of the Builders' Sunday School Class, the Tuesday afternoon Women's Circle, and a Meals on Wheels volunteer.

Elmina was an avid supporter of the arts and regularly attended several performing arts series in Edgecombe, Nash and Pitt Counties. She was a Cub Scout den mother for years when her sons were scouts. A strong advocate for public school education, Elmina served in several capacities, including president, of Parent Teacher Association chapters for her children's schools. She also served as a delegate and officer for the North Carolina Association of Educators.

In her retirement, Elmina also enjoyed gardening, taking her love of flowers from her mother. She read the News and Observer every day from age 11 and completed the crossword puzzle, the jumble, and the cryptogram in each issue.

She is survived by her only daughter, Roberta Elmina Cashwell, of Edenton; her sons, David Lee Cashwell and wife, Konstantia Pistolis, of Tarboro, Philip Clay Cashwell, and wife, Cathrine, of Charlottesville, Va., and Cameron Coble Cashwell, and wife, Phyllis, of Tarboro; three granddaughters, Stephanie Lee Cashwell, Rebecca Sallie Cashwell, and Cathrine Elizabeth Cashwell; and one great-grandson, Corbin Blake Cashwell. Her three sisters also survive her: Patricia Coble Cashwell and husband Miles Lewis Cashwell, Emily Ruth Coble and husband Craig Smith, and Carlene Coble McIntyre and husband Herbert Poe McIntyre; as well as her nephew, David Scott Coble Jr., the only son of her deceased brother, and numerous much loved nieces and nephews. Her husband's only sister, Louise Cashwell Carter, her daughter, Madonna Carter Morris and husband Frank Morris, and granddaughter, Anne McLelland held special places in Elmina's heart.

She also leaves her adoring cat, Mr. O.K., who will miss her greatly.

Family will receive friends on Friday, December 5, from 6 until 8 p.m. in the fellowship hall at St. James United Methodist Church, 211 East St. James Street, Tarboro. There will be no public viewing.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, December 6, at 1 p.m. at Antioch United Methodist Church, 3980 NC 210 Highway West, Garland.

The family ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to: The American Cancer Society, 930 Wellness Drive #B, Greenville, NC 27834; The American Diabetes Association, P. O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312; or the Antioch Kitchen Sisters, Antioch United Methodist Church, 3980 NC 210 Highway West, Garland, NC 28441.