Gladys Cole

1931 - 2025

Gladys Cole

January 11, 1931 - November 5, 2025

Gladys "Nanny" Bagby Cole, born January 11, 1931, in Goochland, Virginia, died peacefully on November 5, 2025, surrounded by family. Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, William (Billy) Cole; parents, Douglas and Carrie Bagby; sister and brother-in-law, Erle and Evelyn Anderson; and brother-in-law and his wife, Robert and Jo Anne Cole. Gladys attended Goochland High School (Class of 1949), where she played and managed the girls' basketball team and then went to work at the Chesapeake and Potomac (C&P) Telephone Company where she met the love of her life, Billy. Gladys and Billy were married on September 5, 1953, and spent the next 62 years together raising their family. Together they created a large extended family as Mom and Dad and then Nanny and Poppa. Gladys is survived by her four children, Linda, Charlie (Ann), Lisa (Mike) and Karen. She is survived by eight grandchildren, Amy (Archer), Angela, Alisha (Jason), Andrea (Web), Amanda, Joey (Katie), Kevin (Ren) and Galen; and 13 great-grandchildren, Kelsey (K. J.), Trey, Peyton (Aaron), Grayson (Kenzi), Melaina, Gunnar (Bri), Nathaniel, Leah, Addie, Max, Brodie, Tenley, Maddie Grace and one great-great grandson, Kage. Gladys enjoyed traveling with her sister, Evelyn, and good friend, Pat Stone. They became affectionately known as "The Roadrunners" as they traveled in Pat's camper across the country, visiting exciting places such as New Orleans, Las Vegas, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. Gladys and Billy also loved traveling with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially to Disney World, Skyline Drive, Smith Mountain Lake, Canada, Mississippi, South Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky and on numerous camping trips. There were many special friendships made during her lifetime, including those from her time spent at C&P Telephone Company, the ballfields of Glen Allen Youth Association, Richfood Inc., and during her stay at Sancerre Atlee Station. The family would like to extend our sincere thanks to the in-home, hospice, and Sancerre caregivers. Each of them provided great comfort and support to Gladys "Nanny" and her entire family.

A visitation will be at the Atlee Chapel of the Woody Funeral Home at 9271 Shady Grove Road on Thursday, November 13 from 5 to 8 p.m. A memorial service will be held Friday, November 14, at 2 p.m., at the Mausoleum Chapel at Westhampton Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Gladys may be made to St. Joseph's Villa, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or your favorite charity.

Woody Funeral Home - Atlee Chapel