Carol Cole Obituary

Carol Ann Cole

Carol Ann (Smith) Cole, 84, died Oct. 12, 2024, under hospice care at Catawba Memorial Hospital in Hickory, North Carolina.

In the last years of her life, her home was Abernethy Laurels Retirement Community, in nearby Newton.

Predeceased by Lynn, her husband of 62 years.

Carol is survived by three children, David Cole of North Carolina (wife Michelle); Phyllis Cole-Dai of South Dakota (husband Jihong); and Barry Cole of Colorado (wife Melissa). She has nine grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.

Carol was born Dec. 31, 1939, in Wood County, Ohio, to Warren Smith and Jeanette (Oberholtzer) Smith. She was the baby sister of Ralph, Joann (Stram), and Janet (Mains). Joann survives, in Findlay, Ohio.

After graduating from Mt. Blanchard High School in 1957, Carol married Lynn. Together they established Cole Swine Farms, Inc., which operated until 1997. During that period, she was heavily involved in the Mt. Blanchard United Methodist Church as well as a rich variety of other organizations.

In 1997, Carol and Lynn moved to Oneida Baptist Institute in Oneida, Kentucky. Carol first managed the school's craft house/gift shop, then became the school's food services director.

In 2009, the couple retired to Morganton, North Carolina. Carol was active in service to that community, especially at St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, until she and Lynn transitioned into elder care.

A private celebration of Carol's life will be held by the immediate family.

Leave expressions of condolence at http://bit.ly/4dR6lXA. In lieu of flowers, please make a gift to Hospice Foundation of America, 1707 L Street NW, Suite 220, Washington, DC 20036, or donate at https://givedirect.org/hfa/.