Mrs. Edna Earle B. Cole, 93, died Friday February 23, at First Health Hospice in Pinehurst, NC.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM Saturday March 3 at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church, 330 S. May St., Southern Pines, NC. A reception and greeting of family and friends will follow the service in the church atrium/fellowship hall. A private interment will precede the memorial service at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Southern Pines.
Mrs. Cole was born in Wake County near Raleigh, NC on June 21, 1924, the second child of the late Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Bullock. She grew up in Sanford, NC, graduating from Sanford High School in 1942. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (formerly Woman’s College) in 1946 with a bachelor’s degree in Education.
She taught school in Goldsboro, Fort Bragg, and at Southern Pines Elementary School for over 32 years. At her retirement, Governor Jim Hunt issued a proclamation of Edna Earle Cole Day in recognition of her distinguished service. She later was awarded the State of North Carolina’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
Mrs. Cole was a member of the Beta Zeta Chapter of the Alpha Delta Kappa Teachers Sorority and of numerous other educational associations. She was a charter member of the Southern Pines Jr. Woman’s Club. She was a member of the Moore County Arts Council, Moore County Historical Association, and Weymouth Center. She was a past President and long time member of the Jonesboro Book Guild. She also served as both a Cub Scout leader as well as a Girl Scout leader.
She was a member of Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church of Southern Pines for over 65 years. She served as a Sunday school teacher, Circle leader, Deacon, Elder and Clerk of Session. She was awarded the Life Membership in the Presbyterian Women.
Mrs. Cole is survived by her son, Charles P. Cole, Jr. ( Nancy) of Mechanicsburg, PA, her daughter, Sara Lucinda Cole of Southern Pines, her granddaughter, Sara M. Cole of Pittsburgh, PA, her sister Mary Hawley Oates (David) of Sanford, NC, as well as nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of over 52 years , Charles P. Cole Sr., in 2003, and her sister, Lillian White of Sanford, in 2017.
Mrs. Cole requested that any contributions in her memory be made to Martha’s Friends (Brownson’s Bereavement Meal Ministry) or the music program at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.
Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines will be assisting the family.
Mrs. Cole’s family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers at Sandhills Sentinel.
