THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 24, 1994 TAG: 9411240538
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B15 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: RICH SQUARE LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
Joseph Francis Cole, 75, a long-time resident of Northampton County, a retired businessman and public servant, succumbed after a short illness in Roanoke Chowan Hospital on November 22, 1994.
He was born on December 24, 1918, in Portsmouth, Va., the son of the late Paul Blake Cole, Sr. and Isalene Jilcott Cole. A veteran of World War II, having served in both war theaters as a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy, he was also an active member of the Masonic Lodge (NU)488 of Rich Square, attaining the 32nd degree, and was a Shriner. He is the past district deputy grand master of the 19th Masonic district. As a public servant to his community, he has served many terms since 1961 as a town commissioner. He was an active member of the Rich Square United Methodist Church after serving in many capacities since 1949.
He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Laura Walston Cole. Of this happy union, there were three children, all surviving: Gloria Cole Bland of Jacksonville, N.C.; Diane Cole Lyles of Spring Hope, N.C.; and Gary Blake Cole of Raleigh, N.C. He is also survived by a brother, Paul Blake Cole, Jr. of Durham, N.C. He was the loving grandfather of six grandchildren, five step-grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
The funeral service will be held at Rich Square United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. on Friday, November 25, 1994. Burial will follow the service at Cedar Lawn Cemetery. The family may be visited from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, at Garrett's Baugham & Weaver Funeral Home of Rich Square. Flowers are acceptable, or memorial donations may be made to Rich Square United Methodist Church, Rich Square, N.C., 27869.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB