Most of us look upon death as a dark and gloomy occurrence in our

lives, but the death of the righteous is at time for celebration. Such in

the case with Mr. Richard Cole, Sr.

He walked through the valley of death and into God’s light on the

morning of October 17, 2011, at 8:11 a.m. at home in Chattanooga

with his loving wife of 13 years, Mattie R. Cole. He was born to the

late John and Stella Cole on September 16, 1936, in Jackson, Tennes-

see.

At an early age, he accepted Christ as his personal Savior, and

practiced in the baptist faith. Richard joined the United States Navy

after fi nishing high school. During his enlistment in 1956, he fought in

the Korean War.

He loved hunting and fi shing. For 23 years, he was employed by

Mahand of Chattanooga, and for 11 years he was employed by

Wheland Foundry.

He is preceded in death by his father and mother, John and Stella Cole;

sisters, Anna Bell Dunn and Dorothy Mae Bransford; sons, Archie

Cole, Calvin Cole, Charles Cole and Richard Cole, Jr.; and his fi rst wife,

Carrie Sue Cole.

He leaves behind a loving wife, Mattie R. Cole; sons, Jerry and Gray

Cole (Chattanooga); stepson, Stanley Smith (Chattanooga); daugh-

ter, Yvonne Cole (Lexington Park, Maryland (Navy)); stepdaughter,

Tina Bailey (Chattanooga); brothers-in-law, Willie Bailey and Herbert

Bailey (both of Atlanta, Georgia); sister-in-law, Ethel Bailey (Chatta-

nooga); grandchildren, Johnathon, Monique, Dominique, Lattimore,

Richard Cole, III, Calvin Cole (all of Chattanooga), Nicole Rucker,

Charles, and Charshawn Allen (all of Cleveland, Ohio); step-grandchil-

dren, Marquita Barnes and Latoya Barnes-Jackson (both of Chatta-

nooga), Kenneth Flint, Michelle Flint; nephew, Reginald Bailey, as well

as many other nieces and nephews.

ORDER OF SERVICE

Committal and Blessings

Pastor Ronnie Bullard

First Baptist Church of Washington Hills

Pastor Alexander J. Bullard

Greater Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church

Pastor Bethel Hendricks

Greater Saint Mary CME

Pastor Mary Hendricks

Hamlett Chapel CME

Arrangements provided by

John P. Franklin Funeral Home

1101 Dodds Avenue

Chattanooga, TN 37404

Richard Cole, Sr.

“TRIBUTE”

God saw that he was suff ering

And the hills were hard to climb:

He gently closed those loving eyes

And whispered, “Please Be Th ine.”

He kindly deeds, his words of wisdom

He thoughtfulness and consideration

Th ese will long be remembered

As a source of unfaltering inspiration.

He will never be forgotten

Th ough on earth he is no more,

But a memory he is with us

As always before.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Th e family wishes to acknowledge with great appreciation the

many expressions of love, concern and kindness during their

time of bereavement.

May God bless you!

InLoving

Memory

Richard Cole, Sr.September 16, 1936 - October 17, 2011

Graveside ServiceFriday, October 21, 2011, 10:00 a.m.

Chattanooga National Cemetary

1200 Bailey Avenue

Chattanooga, Tennessee 37404