Betty Coles

Betty Coles, age 92, of Pine Bluff, died on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
Born Anne Elizabeth Bishop on October 22, 1932, in Pine Bluff, she was the daughter of the late Alma Toussaint Bishop and John William Bishop, Jr. She graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1950 and MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1954.
After teaching in Illinois, she returned to Arkansas, serving as a teacher, first at Dollarway High School and then at Pine Bluff High School, for a total of 40 years. She received a Master of Science in Education degree from Henderson State University in 1966.
She married Joe Ingram Coles, Jr., in 1957. Mr. Coles passed away in 1984. Also, she was preceded in death by a brother, John William "Bill" Bishop, II.
Betty enjoyed teaching physical education and coaching girls' gymnastics and track at Pine Bluff High School, winning state team awards in both sports. She served as State President of the Arkansas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and was the 1983 recipient of the AAHPERD Honor Award.
As a lifelong member of Central Presbyterian Church, she served as Elder and in various church family roles and especially remembered taking an active part in Central's move to Trinity Drive.
Betty was a member of Epsilon Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, Jefferson County Retired Teachers Association, Arkansas Retired Teachers Association, Pine Bluff-John McAlmont Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, Arkansas Society Colonial Dames XVII Century, Rosswood Ladies' Golf Association, Jaycee Ladies' Golf Association, and Harbor Oaks Ladies' Golf Association. She was a Past-President and ex-officio member of Trinity Village Board of Directors and received the Trinity Village Volunteer of the Year Award in 2006.
More recently, Betty enjoyed fellowship with friends through golf, duplicate bridge, birdwatching, book club and dining out with special friends.
She is survived by her loving family: two sons, Joe Ingram Coles, III (Susan) of Pine Bluff and John Edward Coles (Leanne) of Maynard, MA; a daughter, Susan Elizabeth Tribble (Neal) of Conway; six grandchildren, Hunter Coles, Stuart Coles, Connor Coles, Jonathan Tribble, David Tribble, and Daniel Tribble; and a great-granddaughter, Caroline Noa Coles.
Services will be held Monday, August 11, 2025, 10:30 a.m. at Central Presbyterian Church with Rev. Jai Kwak officiating. Interment will follow in Graceland Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Ralph Robinson & Son.
Please make memorials to Central Presbyterian Church, 6300 Trinity Drive, Pine Bluff, AR 71603; or to Trinity Village, 6400 Trinity Drive, Pine Bluff, AR 71603.
For online condolences, please visit RobinsonFuller.com