Mr. Earl Cole

GRAVESIDE SERVICE:   Wednesday, June 15, 2022

                                      Midway Church Cemetery

                                     9:00 a.m.

INTERMENT:                Midway Church Cemetery

Graveside service will be held at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at Midway Church Cemetery for Mr. Earl Ray Cole, age 91, who passed from this life June 11, 2022 at the Grove Nursing Home in Columbia. Bro. Robert Ray Cole will officiate with burial following. Pallbearers will be members of Bowie Lodge #434 F and AM of Sumrall.

Mr. Cole was born June 11, 1931 to Elvie and Stuart Cole. Elvie passed away after a battle with TB when Ray was only ten weeks and 2 days old. Stuart Cole was unable to care for an infant so small, so Elvie’s brother, Preacher Charlie Nobles and his wife, Annie May Nobles agreed to take Ray and raise him as their own leaving his last name Cole, and with a hand shake Bro. Charlie and Annie May Nobles had another son, who they loving raised to love people and the Lord.

Ray was drafted and served his country during the Korean Conflict in the Marine Corp. Shortly after he was discharged, he married his teenage sweetheart Betty Jean Cook on December 19, 1953. They had 68 years together before her passing. He worked as a truck driver and Harvard Pest Control for many years and for Rice Potato Company for 19 years. He loved his family and all people, never meeting a stranger. He also loved to make people laugh by telling jokes. He was a Mason, a member of Bowie Lodge #434 F and AM of Sumrall.

He loved the Lord and served as a deacon at Midway First Baptist Church. At his passing he was a member of Grace Landmark Missionary Baptist Church, where his grandson Bro. Robert Cole is pastor.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean Cook Cole; biological parents, Stuart Cole and Elvie Nobles Cole; daddy, Preacher Charlie Nobles and mama, Annie May Nobles; brothers, Doc Cole, Claude Cole, Glenn Cole, Virgil Cole, Elmer Nobles, Edward Nobles; sisters, Lucy Cole Rhodes and Katherine Nobles Madden.

He is survived by his son, Winford Ray (Peggy) Cole of Columbia; grandson, Robert Ray (Jinger) Cole of Columbia; great grandsons, Remington Ray Cole and Kason James Cole, both of Columbia; brothers, Harmon Cole of White Oak, TX and Bro. W.C. “Bill” Nobles of Hattiesburg; sister, Martha Gary of Terrell, TX and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jones and Son Funeral Home of Hattiesburg is in charge of arrangements.