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Bobby Cole
Robert Lee Cole
Treasurer
Rev. Robert "Bob" Cole
February 17, 1933 - October 5, 2017
Rev. Robert Lee “Bob” Cole, 84, of Lakeland, Tennessee passed away Thursday, October 5, 2017 at the Methodist University Hospital in Memphis. Graveside services will be conducted on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at 2:00 PM in the Hickory Flat Cemetery in Cedar Grove.
He was born February 17, 1933 in Benton County the son of Hubert Guy Cole and Sarah Gladys (King) Cole of Camden. Where his dad was sheriff for 3 terms and they lived in the county jail. The Coles would often find their son “Bobby” standing in the inmate section with bible open “preaching” to them. When cousins would be there to play with him he would say “let’s play church and I will be the preacher”. His father was also the chief of police in Bruceton during his high school and college years. He was a graduate of the Central High School Class of 1951 where he was voted most likely to succeed and wittiest by his classmates. In June of 1951 he was licensed to preach and given a six church circuit in his area. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956 from Lambuth College. Rev. Cole’s parents preceded him in death.
Rev. Cole pastored Hickory Flat and Pleasant Hill United Methodist churches in Cedar Grove from June 1958 to June 1963. He and Joyce were Married August 31, 1958 and lived in the Hickory Flat Church parsonage next door to the church and cemetery for years. He was a Boy Scout troop leader in the community. Both Catherine and Cynthia were born while there and it has always been a “special” place for them. Three years ago they purchased lots in the cemetery for all their immediate family and last year a monument was erected near the church building and across the walk from many persons that he was called to officiate their funeral.
He is survived by his loving wife Joyce Ann (Espey) Cole from Huntingdon and three children Catherine Anne Cole of Harbor Town, Memphis, Cynthia Leigh Pickering of Bartlett, and Robert Lee “Chip” Cole II, of the home address in Lakeland He leaves two grandchildren Jackson Hunter Sharp of Memphis and Anna Catherine Sharp who is pursuing a degree in theatre and opera music in Tacoma, Washington.
A Service of Celebration of his life will be held at the St. Paul United Methodist Church on Davies Plantation Road near their home on Friday, October 13 at 4:00 PM with visitation from 2:00 PM until time of service. [Source: Chase Funeral Home]