Patsy L. C. Cole

COLE PATSY LEE CASH COLE Devoted wife, doting mother, incomparable singer of jazz, and the most incredible elementary-school teacher ever, died peacefully last Thursday morning, December 8, 2011, at the age of 85. She was pre-deceased by her loving husband of 49 years, William W. Cole, by six months. Survived by her brother, Floyd Allen Cash, of Hurst, TX; her most fortunate son, Tad, of Austin, TX; her aunt, Rev. Joyce McCown, of DeQueen, AR, and uncle, Kenneth Allen McMullen, of Tulsa, OK; her goddaughter, Lisa Lee Wininger, of Charlotte, NC; her extended family of Mike and Chong Ja Park of Alexandria, VA; and her grandchildren, Joy Paeske of Encinitas, Amy Park Ewing of Virginia Beach, VA, Adam Park of Arlington, and Patty Park Fleming of Dallas, TX. After graduating the Oklahoma A&M University, Mrs. Cole initially pursued the passion she enjoyed while singing and gigging with The Varsitonians in school ~ music. Possessed of a million-dollar voice (and phrasing), she performed in a host of club and college venues across the southwest, including a marathon, five-hour-plus jam in Ardmore, OK, where the bandleader had to finally dismiss the insatiable crowd because the vocalist had, at last, lost her voice. As a radio and TV personality at station WKY in Oklahoma City, Patsy's genuine warmth and inescapable charm were hard to miss. But above all, she longed to be a mother and to raise a family. As a teacher in the Oklahoma City school system, she had plenty of children with whom to share her unique gifts and care. After eventually having one of her own, she later re-married an Army officer whose career introduced her to the inseparable White Hats, and took her to Germany, Kansas (a one-room schoolhouse), Hawaii, and finally to the Fairfax County system at Westmore, Stratford Landing, and Orange Hunt Elementary. It was a common occurrence for parents to attempt any means necessary to secure their child's placement in her classroom. Upon retiring, Mrs. Cole cultivated an extensive collection of day-lillies and other floral wonders in her personal refuge, the magic garden at the home that she and her husband designed and built 34 years ago. Her membership in the Garden Club of Fairfax was a cherished thing, as were the memories made both there and within the "circle of friends" of her book-club companions. Arrangements at Arlington National Cemetery are pending. In lieu of flowers, please remember her to the angels at Capital Caring.