Photo courtesy of Clymer Funeral Home Cremations - Palm Coast
Palm Coast, Florida
Jan 30, 1954 – Mar 19, 2021 (Age 67)
Sharon Michelle Cole, 67, was a kind person, devoted to family members, athlete, educator, floral arranger, caregiver, sportswoman, and loving spouse. Sharon passed away on March 19, 2021 following a 19 month battle with cholangiocarcinoma, bile duct cancer. She was a courageous woman and an inspiration to all. There was no challenge that she would not face. She gave so much to everyone who knew her, and the world is a better place because of Sharon.
Born to Frank and Judy Cole on January 30, 1954. She leaves behind her loving spouse of 19 years, Terry Riggs; brothers, Bob (Kathy) and Frank (Andrea) Cole; father and mother-in-law, John and Frances Riggs, brother and sister-in-law, Keith and Theresa Riggs; nephews, Blake Cole (Vicky), Brett Cole (Emma), Christopher and Michael Gilbert, Matt Riggs; goddaughter, Olivia J. Murphy; great nieces and nephews, Norah, Bobby, Lincoln, Margot, and Dolores Cole. Sharon is predeceased by her parents, Frank and Judy Cole, and nephew, Brian Cole.
Sharon attended Terry Parker and graduated from Sandalwood High School. She received her Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in Education and Counseling from UNF. Her 31 year career with the Clay County School System began as a teacher at Lakeside Middle School and then as a guidance counselor at Ridgeview High School. She was also a talented floral arranger and worked in a family business at World of Flowers in Lakewood.
After Sharon and Terry’s retirement, they began a robust life which included boating, kayaking, fishing, and traveling all over the U.S. in a small motorhome and later in a larger travel trailer. After relocating to Palm Coast in 2011, they developed a group of friends who did just about everything together. After Sharon became ill, this group loved and supported Sharon and Terry and made their lives better in every way. She loved her friends and family deeply.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 11, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Clymer Funeral Home & Cremations. A visitation will be held before the service from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow at 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Clymer Funeral Home, Palm Coast, FL. Covid restrictions will be respected with masking and social distancing.
In lieu of flowers, donations made be made in Sharon’s memory to any of the following: Vitas Hospice Healthcare, the Flagler Humane Society, The Donna Foundation, Community Hospice of NE Florida.
Scattering of her ashes at sea will be done at a later date.
Sharon’s family entrusted the arrangements to Clymer Funeral Home & Cremations.
For those who would like to join us online for the memorial service, please join us on Zoom, link below.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81853217326
Meeting ID: 818 5321 7326
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,81853217326# US (New York)
+13017158592,,81853217326# US (Washington DC)
Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 818 5321 7326
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcQr4trzq3
At a later date,
It was Sharon’s wishes to scatter part of her ashes at sea, near the Jacksonville sea buoy to join her parents. The immediate family will have a ‘water ‘side gathering to honor her wishes, with Frank as the captain.
An additional ‘water’ side gathering for the fishing/boating extended family/friends & family will also be at a later date. At this time, we will scatter part of her ashes in two locations: the canal at our condo, outside the window where her hospital bed was set up and at Sharon’s (& Dobbsie’s) favorite local fishing spot. You can view from the condo property or on a boat. Dobbsie will be our main captain on that day and it will need to be high tide!
Also, at a date to be determined, Sharon’s final portion of ashes will be delivered to Illinois. Those ashes will be scattered at the Riggs family plot in the Western Township Cemetery.
Read MoreA friend of the ages, although not close physically, we were friends for years! Never thought she would leave us so soon. Regrets are not cool, but I do have regrets about not being around those last few years. You are missed Sharon, that's a truth!
Cheryl Ruppert
March 26, 2025 | Jacksonville, FL | Friend
Sharon’s passing was devastating for her wife, her family and friends, even those friends who did not see her as much in our later years! Friends since our teens, life took us in different directions, despite the parallels in lifestyle and job description, we just were true friends from afar. Loved her with all my heart and miss everyday. My thoughts are with Terry and her adventure buddies remembering the better times with Sharon!
Cheryl Ruppert
March 24, 2024 | Jacksonvile, FL | Friend
Miss you my friend!
Cheryl Ruppert
March 24, 2023 | Friend
Right now I feel like the worst friend in the whole. I’ve known Sharon for the better part of my life and although she reached out to me when she was first diagnosed I sort of lost track of everything when quarantining became a priority. I was thinking of her today and found this announcement. I am so sorry to all her family and closer friends for their loss. I am ashamed that I did not stay in touch more often than we have in the last twenty years. Sharon was a great person and friend.
Cheryl Ruppert
May 05, 2021 | Friend
What a wonderful and talented person who I was privileged to call my friend. We met through mutual friends and became longtime friends for forty years. My sincere condolences and prayers go out to her wife and family.
Skip Willis
April 27, 2021 | Friend
Sharon was a sweet, compassionate guidance counselor I met during IEP meetings for hospital/homebound students added to my teaching roster who attended Ridgeview High School. She was an advocate with a kind heart for the students there and was helpful as a liaison for me when communicating with the teachers. She also had a witty sense of humor. Deepest condolences and prayers for her family during this sad time.
Vivian Jerrell
April 18, 2021 | Fleming Island, FL | Coworker
I knew Sharon through my wonderful godparent Terry Riggs, and in my mind these two are just the complete bonded pair. They're my total example of domestic harmony. They each have self-confident independence and competence in everything they do, and together they just spiral around in total mutual understanding and respect. I can't believe it's as easy for the rest of us as they make it seem to be together, to be partners in everything. That's how I saw Sharon, and it is surely a loss. I...
Olivia Murphy
April 11, 2021 | Washington, DC | Family
Sharon was a very special person and she will be missed be many. I taught with Sharon and I remember she always had a smile on her face and a kind word for others.
Linda Blackburn
April 11, 2021 | Fleming Island, FL | Friend
Happy times with Sharon and Terry in the Florida Keys. We loved you so Sharon and a little part of each of our hearts is gone. Gary and Sue Carson
Gary and Sue Carson
April 10, 2021 | Palm Coast, FL | Friend
