Herbert Eugene Cole, Sr.

Life ReflectionsOn March 18, 1924, Virgus and Mollie Cole's youngest child, Herbert Eugene Cole (aka Miss Mollie's baby) was born at their home in Richmond Heights, Missouri. He was the last survivor of all of his siblings. Herbert always excelled in school and re- ceived a double promotion while a student at Lincoln Elementary. After graduating from Douglas High School in Webster Groves, Missouri, he turned his successful Ash business over to his father because he had been drafted into the us. Navy. He was sta- tioned in Hawaii and worked as a Carpenter's Mate. He credits the prayers from his parents and the saints for his safe return home from World War II Always an entrepreneur, he considered various businesses prior to attending trade school in Indiana where he earned a certificate in Pest Extermination. His first ma- jor business was Cole's Pest Control where he serviced commer- cial and residential clients. To sharpen his business knowledge, he attended the University of Missouri in St. Louis to study Busi- ness Administration. He later capitalized on his carpentry skills, establishing Cole's General Contracting Co. which owned and operated Herbert was a workaholic until he developed poor eye sight; however, he continued to serve as a consultant until his death. He built all 3 of his homes as well as the Richmond Heights First Church of God To his credit he was a community employer, mentor, trainer, and the "go to" uncle, brother and friend Herbert grew up in the Church of God and dearly loved his church family locally and throughout the country. On his visits to Daleville, Mississippi, he would make sure he attended his dad's church. He pressed his way forward to attend his home church the last Sunday of his life. Herbert became saved in the 1990s and was baptized at his church September 11, 2011. He was an active member of the New Cote Brilliante Church of God Merry Makers Adult Day Group, and a member of the Douglas High School Alumni Association. He enjoyed taking cruises and trav- eling to Mississippi to attend family reunions as well as to his wife's orphan home reunions held throughout the us. He truly loved his family and friends, enjoyed holiday gatherings, reading the daily newspaper, discussing politics and world and current events, listening to the St. Louis Cardinals and eating "down home" soul food As a debonair bachelor, Herbert met and married Priscilla Manuel from Oklahoma, who was visiting her sister, Katie and her husband, Joe Thames, who was Herbert's first cousin. His wife, Priscilla preceded him in death (November 6, 2009) as well as his son, Herbert E. Cole, Jr. (January 8, 2011). He leaves to cherish his memory: daughters Priscilla Diana Brown (Donald) of Arlington, Texas and Marylynn Estelle Sims (George) of Sf. Louis, Missouri; grandchildren, Chameka Ezell and Jessieca Cole of Arlington, Texas, Terri Brown (Quanackie), Karlynnta Oredugba, Omolola Oredugba, and Omotayo Oredugba of St. Louis, Missouri; great-grandchildren Jovius Taylor, Jr. and Krista Thomas of Arlington, Texas, and Cameron Cole, and Da- Korrion Oredugba of St. Louis, Missouri,• brother-in-law Thomas Mason of Warrensville Heights, OH and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. During his last days, he joyfully received visitors and phone calls and was fully aware that he was surrounded by family and friends who showered him with love. In accordance with his wishes, af- ter briefly being on hospice, he died at his home in Richmond Heights, Missouri. Mollie's baby boy shared his last speech with the family during Christmas dinner, 2011 which he memorized in 1943: - What good is goodness if it is not good enough to overcome evilness? - A new dawn, a new day, a chance to try a different way. Wiser now than when you began, success will surely come to you again! .