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Rebecca Cole Obituary

PITTSBORO - Rebecca "Lisa" Ellison Cole, 50, of Pittsboro, died Nov. 21, 2007.

A small informal service will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007, at the Griffin Funeral Home, 396 West St., Pittsboro, NC 27312.

She was preceded in death by her eldest son, Christopher Aaron Chinnes.

Survived by her mother, Ann C. Ellison; brothers Patrick D. Ellison Jr. and Dr. John L. Ellison; children, Elizabeth A. Dietrich, Jennifer L. Edwards, Francis B. Cole IV and Pfc. Laura A Cole. Rebecca also leaves behind her best friend she loved dearly, Joseph Jinks.

In remembrance of her daughter Rebecca E. Cole, Ann C. Ellison wishes for everyone to donate anything they can to CARE, Chatham Animal Rescue and Education, P.O. Box 610, Pittsboro, NC 27312.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Jacksonville Daily News from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Rebecca Cole

15 Entries

Lee McCaskill Watson

November 22, 2021

Think of you often, my friend, and miss our conversations;)

Rebecca Ellison Cole, February 2007

November 24, 2008

Lee McCaskill -Watson

June 15, 2008

Rebecca (Lisa, as I knew her) was the best friend I ever had. She was the kind of friend you could go a year without seeing and pick right back up where you left off. We always remembered each other with cards and when I went without getting one, this obituary is what I found. My heart is broken. The kind of friendship we had is irreplaceable. My God bless your precious family as I know they feel the same way. You will forever be in my heart.

Leslie Focke

January 8, 2008

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.

Cindy Province

December 22, 2007

Having only known Rebecca briefly, I nevertheless know that the world has lost a great hero.Her legacy will live on in the many lives that will be saved as a result of her efforts.

Trish Parnell

December 20, 2007

I know you're happy now that you're with Christopher. Your life was full of challenges and hardship and pain that no one should have to experience, yet you kept going. Your children are so proud of you and I'm proud to have known you.

Trish Parnell

Anne Gershon, M.D.

December 10, 2007

Ms Cole did a great service in advocating for licensure of the vaccine against chickenpox in the 1980s and 1990s. I will never forget her courage in testifying for the FDA, when she described the loss of her son, Christopher, to chickenpox. She was a very public spirited citizen and she will always be remembered by those who support the importance of prevention of disease. She certainly helped to make the world a better place than she found it.

Deborah Wexler MD

December 7, 2007

We can take solace in the tremendous legacy of advocacy Rebecca left us. She did so much good work in the world --- letting parents know about the importance of vaccinating their children against chickenpox, the deadly disease that took the life of her son Christopher at age 12 years.

Rebecca devoted herself to getting the chickenpox vaccine licensed, and to improving FDA labeling for drugs. She appeared on television programs, videos, and websites, sharing Christopher's story, as well as publishing a book in 2002 titled "My Little Drummer Boy" about Christopher's severe illness with chickenpox, the disease’s terrible complications, and his tragic death from what is now a vaccine-preventable disease.

Rebecca contributed so much to the lives of children and parents around the world. We will miss you and remember your great contributions, Rebecca. Thank you for everything you've done.

Deborah L. Wexler, MD
Executive Director
Immunization Action Coalition

Frankie Milley

December 3, 2007

Dear Becca:
Words cannot express my sadness in losing one of my heroes. You truly made a difference and saved many lives with your advocacy for immunizations. I will continue the fight you and those before us started in memory of our precious boys. Give my precious Ryan a hug and kiss for me and know you will remain on my heart always,
Frankie Milley
Mom to Ryan, who died with a vaccine preventable form of meningitis.
Meningitis Angels, Founder/National Executive Director,www.meningitis-angels.org

Meningitis Survivor, Helen Keller said, "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." I say together we can stop deadly vaccine preventable diseases.

Beth Rowe-West

December 3, 2007

Rebecca did so much to advance awareness about varicella vaccine. This is a tremendous loss to children everywhere. We will remember her for her love for Christopher and her dedication to immunizations.
Beth Rowe-West, Head
Immunization Branch
Division of Public Health
NC DHHS

November 30, 2007

Mrs. Ellison,
Don't give up hope of being with your daughter again.
Jesus Christ, the Son of our Heavenly Father has promised to call out to those in the memorial tombs to come out and live again. John 5:28, 29.
So keep your hope focus on the future life with Rebecca.

Truly,
Ms.E.Francois

Ted Mccule

November 30, 2007

Dur this time of lost aways look to Jah for .strenth Our Condolences.

Rom 15:4

Regenia

November 30, 2007

I'm very sorry to hear about Ms. Cole. May Jehovah God continue to give comfort during these hard times. My you draw comfort knowing that our God cares for us and will continue to give us strength to get through these hard times. Please draw comfort from (Isaiah 41:13)

Ann Ellison

November 30, 2007

My darling daughter, the light has gone out of this world, for a time, with your passing. You have done, in your all too short life, more than most people could ever do. My love is with you still, as it is with your brothers here on earth. You will always be in my heart.
Mother

Patrick Ellison

November 29, 2007

To my loving sister, may you rest in peace. You will be sorely missed.

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