Mary Ann Cole

1942 ~ 2021

Date of Death: July 22, 2021

In profound sadness, the staff of Veasley Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc. want to express our sincere condolences to the Cole family. Mary’s earthly temple is now resting in the care of Rowell-Parish Mortuary. Revelations 21:4 says "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death; nor sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away." Be assured that in the days ahead you will surely gain strength from the memories of Ms. Mary Ann Cole.

Sincerely,

Derrick Veasley ~ Director

Henry Veasley ~ Director

Pastor E.C. Maltbia ~ Chaplain

Mary Ann Cole was born on July 9th, 1942 to Moses Fry and Henrietta Dale Williams. She was the oldest daughter of nine children. After losing her mother at the age of , Mary Ann Cole became the mother figure to her siblings.

Mary Ann was raised in the Methodist faith and a member of Quinn Chapel A.M.E Church. Upon her union to John William Cole of Huntington, Arkansas she converted to the Baptist faith and was baptized at First Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1968.

Mary Ann received her nursing license in 1966 from the St. Edwards School of Nursing in Fort Smith and practiced nursing for 24 years. She later attended Westark Community College and studied Psychology, Elementary Education. Pursuing her passion for learning and teaching, Mary Ann transferred to the College of the Ozarks where she studied Christian Education and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Christian and Religious Education. She accomplished all of this while serving as Dean of the Antioch District Missionary Baptist Association Regular and Regular Arkansas Baptist Convention Inc. and as the Therapeutic Counselor for the State of Arkansas working with special needs children.

The Cole household was never empty. Together John and Mary raised her siblings, several nieces and nephews. She was always willing to help those in the communities who were in need. After retiring from nursing and as a state counselor she continued to carry out her mission to help those in need by becoming a foster parent for six years, caring for children from 1992 to 1998. Although Mary Ann suffered a stroke in 1998 she continued to lend a helping hand wherever and whenever she was needed. She held such offices as Dean of Antioch District, Missionary Society President, Mass Choir Director and Director of Christian Education. She was blessed to travel all over the country with her family while serving in her mission assignments period she loves serving the lord in her community and did it with grace and elegance!

In recognition of her service, she was awarded countless certificates and awards for her work upon the announcement of her retirement, she was made the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education Faculty Member Emeritus. In addition, Mary Ann was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Christian education.

Since the death of her husband John in 2002, Mary Ann went on to live with her daughter JoAnna, son-in-law and family. She loved spending time with all of her grandchildren, traveling with her family and supporting her grandchildren in their activities.

She loved to sing; hymns were her favorite, and she had a first soprano voice that reached the heavens. She enjoyed reading her Bible and listening to her large collection of Gospel and R&B albums. A big sports fan, she loved to cheer on her favorite football and basketball teams. She loved westerns and classic movies till the wee hours of the morning!

Proceeding her death was her loving husband John William Cole and their beautiful eldest daughter Marian Thompson, along with her brothers Robert “Bobby Joe” DuQui, Moses Lee, James “Bucky” and Theodore “B9” Williams.

She leaves in cherished memory two fabulous daughters: Mycheal Smith (Billy) and JoAnna Cole-Brewer (Glenn) all of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Her siblings: Maureen Mobley of Houston, Texas; Mozelle Holland, Rev. John Dale Holland both of Little Rock, Arkansas and Dr. Rev. Rose Owens-West of El Sobrante, California. Her grandchildren: Amber Paige (Gerald), Arika Smith, William Smith (Ebony), Mychal Smith (Lyndsay), Melanie Smith, Glenn Allen Brewer II, Johnathan Edward Brewer, HeLana MariAnn Brewer. Her great-grandson: Kendal Smith. Her in-laws Delois Royal of Fort Smith, Arkansas and Jerry Cole of Huntington, Arkansas, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

As matriarch of her family, Mary Ann was loved and respected by her family and many friends throughout the community as well as former coworkers. She taught her children to love Jesus and to love the community and to serve them both.

Visitation will be Friday, July 30, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Rowell-Parish Mortuary 611 North 9th Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901.

Continued Fellowship will be Friday, July 30, 2021 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The 31st at 5208 S 31st Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901.

Celebration of life service will be held Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Saint James Missionary Baptist Church Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 72904.

Committal service and final resting place will be at the Oak Cemetery Fort Smith, Arkansas.