Barbara Anne Cole

We are gathered this morning to bear witness to our faith in the resurrection, the resurrection of all who are buried in Jesus Christ the Lord and the resurrection of Barbara Anne Cole.  Barbara died on Thursday, after a short but intense illness.  She was 75.

Barbara was born in Roanoke, Virginia, the daughter of Fred B. Cole and Nancy King Cole.  She had two brothers, Francis, to whom she was devoted her entire life, and Alvin, who died in infancy.  Her father was a medical doctor who practiced in Roanoke and in West Virginia prior to his early death. Francis, a PhD chemist, suffered an untimely death in a car accident.  Barbara’s mother Nancy Cole died here in Richmond in 1990.

After finishing grade school, Barbara matriculated at Gulf Park College in Gulfport, Mississippi, for high school and her first two years of college.  At Gulf Park Barbara received what was deemed an appropriate finishing education for ladies of the old south. She also made some deep and dear friends, including her lifelong friend Caroline Douglas.

After taking her AA degree from Gulf Park, Barbara took a BS degree from Marshall University and then an MA at the University of Maryland.  Barbara then embarked on a 25 year degree in art education. She taught a couple of years at the University of Maryland. She taught in Dover, Delaware for ten years and two years at Alta Vista, Virginia.  She was the art supervisor for Kent County, Maryland for ten years.  In Kent County she developed a new art curriculum for the school system, was active in professional organizations, and conducted teacher workshops.

Throughout her teaching years Barbara would commute home to be with her mother on weekends and holidays.  As her mother aged, Barbara retired from teaching and lived here in Richmond with her fulltime.  Nancy Cole died in 1990.

After retiring from teaching, Barbara became active in organizations and societies of which she and her family had been members.  Barbara was a pasted President of the Scottish Society of Richmond.  She served as recording secretary, vice president, and then President of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Richmond, Stonewall Jackson Chapter.  More importantly, Barbara was devoted to the dear friends she made through these associations, as much as she faithfully served them.

An accomplished artist, Barbara’s aesthetic interests and capabilities were manifest in a variety of media.  She had studied ballet and the theatre.  Before pursuing art education, Barbara studied dress design.  She was an accomplished seamstress – she made several wedding dresses, in addition to her own clothes.  She was even known to dabble in the culinary arts, as well.

Barbara was devoted to her church.  A lifelong Presbyterian, she knew her faith and knew her heritage as a Presbyterian.  While her faith for may have been a deeply personal one, for her faith was also always a lived faith.  She sought congruence between her internal faith and her external actions, and her between her personal faith and practice.  For example, not long after her mother died in 1990, Barbara drafted very explicit directives about the end of life decisions she wished to be honored for her, and detailed instructions about her own funeral service, which she said MUST BE CHRISTIAN and was to be under the specific charge of her church.

Barbara was a member of Bon Air Presbyterian for 37 years. Here she found a home and a network of women with whom she could work and serve.

            Barbara assisted with the Wednesday night dinner program, setting tables.  She was a long time supporter of Presbyterian Women’s Salvation Army Christmas Stocking ministry.  She was an early advocate for and volunteer in the congregation’s CARITAS ministry with homeless adults.  When she joined BAPC in 1979, on the membership form which inquired of her previous leadership in the church Barbara wrote, “Whatever her former pastor Dr. Andrew R. Bird said do – which were choir, Community Club (an organization for underprivileged children), helping with church dinners, young people’s groups.”

            Barbara had a wonderful, understated and very droll sense of humor.  On the paperwork she filed with me on planning for this service, Barbara wrote of her hobbies and special interests and personal characteristics this way:  “gardening; enjoyed classical music (played the piano); horses (riding); ballet; theatre; travel; sewing if needed; some cooking; charitable work as need arose – all the usual stuff. NOT a sports fan or eager participant. Preferred working behind the scene but would take leadership role if required.  Enjoyed history, both ancient and modern.  Disliked politics. Kept busy, mainly disliked thumb-twiddling. Also arranged flowers.  Voracious reader.  Just normal, average person.  Enjoyed friends, loved dogs.  Major putterer.”

            None of which sounds like your normal, average person to me.

            Today we give thanks for the gifts and graces of Barbara Cole. And as we gather for remembrance and thanksgiving, so also let us gather for worship of the God Barbara worshipped and knew through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Let us worship God:

R. Charles Grant

Bon Air Presbyterian Church

Richmond, VA 

March 13, 2007