He was born on April 23, 1930 in Pinehurst to the late Charles R. and Elnola Stewart Cole. He graduated from West End High School in the Class of 1949. Until recently, the class met almost monthly for lunch. Charles graduated from Jones Business College in High Point, NC and served 2 years in the US Army during the Korean War stationed in Japan. Introduced by a mutual friend, he and Edna Kennedy of Star wed in 1957, and celebrated 66 years together. He retired from Proctor Silex in 1988, moved to Cary and turned Cole's Produce Patch into a full-time business at the State Farmers Market. He sold Cole's Produce Patch and retired in 2015, although his name is still on the business.
He loved his God, family, friends and church. He enjoyed his customers at Cole's and talked about them long after he retired. He loved singing hymns and listening to them. He was happy to be able to provide pumpkins, watermelons or sweet potatoes to Edna's real estate office, to the church or to the Food Bank.
Papa Cole is survived by his wife and their daughter, Debra Edwards (Stanley) of Raleigh; step-grandson, Daniel Edwards (Marsha) of Wendell, NC and their children, Claire, Douglas and Wesley; and a step-granddaughter, Jennifer Dwyer (Matt) of Alexandria, VA and their daughter, Hailey. He also had many loved nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his sister, Maxine Richardson (W. Blue) and his brother, Paul H. Cole both of Jackson Springs.
Burial with military honors will be at 11:00 AM Friday, November 24, 2023 at Wake Memorial Park, 7002 Green Hope School Rd, Cary, NC. Following the burial, a memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM at Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church, 200 High Meadow Drive, Cary, NC. The family will greet friends after the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church, 200 High Meadow Drive, Cary, NC or Jackson Springs Presbyterian Church, PO Box 7, Jackson Springs, NC.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BrownWynneCary.com for the Cole family.
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