Joyce Geneva Cole
November 30, 1929 – March 4, 2016
Joyce Geneva Ross Cole, 86, surrendered her earthly body and embraced her heavenly journey on March 4, 2016 in Edmond, Oklahoma with her family at her bedside. She was born November 30, 1929, in Sallisaw, Oklahoma to Jesse and Minnie Ross. Growing up she loved her horses and spending time riding and caring for them. She attended Sallisaw Public Schools and was a member of the high school girls’ basketball team. She created lifelong friendships with her fellow teammates Ruby Dudley and Robbie Lessley. She graduated from Sallisaw High School in May of 1947. Upon graduation she married Harvey Lee Cole of Muldrow, Oklahoma and celebrated 59 1/2 years. Joyce attended Northeastern State University where she received both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Business Education. She was a teacher for 34 years and taught in both the Muldrow and Sallisaw Public School systems. She loved teaching her students and watching them mature and develop into fine young adults.
Joyce and Harvey Lee had three children Roger Lee Cole, Kathy Cole Fine of Edmond, Oklahoma and Karen Cole Green of Edmond, Oklahoma. She has eight grandchildren, Terry Cole of Oklahoma City, Jolennda Cole of Oklahoma City, and Kevin Cole of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, Philip Green of Oklahoma City, Lori Green Stewart of Edmond, Oklahoma, Jeff Fine of Norman, Oklahoma, Chris Fine of Edmond, Oklahoma and Kimberly Fine Eppes of Edmond, Oklahoma. She has six great grandchildren, Dylan Cole of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, Cole, Stella, and Crew Fine of Norman, Oklahoma, Max and Hunter Stewart of Edmond, Oklahoma.
Joyce also leaves behind her sister Betty Matthews of Edmond, Oklahoma her brother John Ross of Little Rock, Arkansas and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Harvey Lee Cole, son Roger Lee Cole, parents Jesse and Minnie Ross, and brother’s Melvin Ross, J.D. Ross, Gerald Ross, and James Ross.
Joyce deeply loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and leaves behind lasting and loving memories of her time with all of them.
Graveside Services are 2:00 p.m. Tuesday March 8, 2016 at Sallisaw City Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Matthews Funeral Home, Edmond.
Joyce Geneva Ross Cole, 86, surrendered her earthly body and embraced her heavenly journey on March 4, 2016 in Edmond, Oklahoma with her family at her bedside. She was born November 30, 1929, in Sallisaw, Oklahoma to Jesse and Minnie Ross. Growing up she loved her horses and spending time riding and caring for them. She attended Sallisaw Public Schools and was a member of the high school girls’ basketball team. She created lifelong friendships with her fellow teammates Ruby Dudley and Robbie Lessley. She graduated from Sallisaw High School in May of 1947. Upon graduation she married Harvey Lee Cole of Muldrow, Oklahoma and celebrated 59 1/2 years. Joyce attended Northeastern State University where she received both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Business Education. She was a teacher for 34 years and taught in both the Muldrow and Sallisaw Public School systems. She loved teaching her students and watching them mature and develop into fine young adults.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all the family. I didn’t know Joyce but I know her grandson Philip and he talked so beautifully about her I feel like I did know her some!!
Love and prayers to all!!
Dear Karen,Kathy and family,
I am sorry to hear of Joyce’s death. She was always kind and I know you will miss her terribly.
My thoughts and prayers go out to each of you.
Love,
Patti
I’m from Muldrow and Mrs. Cole was my teacher and class sponsor for several years. She and Mrs. Sparkman were so strict but were also the biggest class clowns we had!! They were so fun on our senior trip and made it a memory that our whole class will never forget. Roger was also in my class and at one time I had a crush on him! But we were just really good friends and shared many laughs at our “powder puff” football games where he was a cheerleader, our “Sadie Hawkins” day where he dressed up like a hillbilly, his time as “Mr. MHS” and many more fun times. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. Mrs. Cole will surely be missed!!
I am so saddened to hear of Mrs. Cole’s passing. She was my teacher at Sallisaw High School. She was the one person in my life that made a difference. She always held me to a standard and made me feel as if I could do anything I set my mind to. She was a wonderful person and a great teacher. She used to tell us she hoped she had one student that she made a difference in their life then she would know she had done her job.
Mrs. Cole I am that one student.
Thank you for sharing your life with all of the students at Sallisaw Schools and just know you were loved.
May God bless all of your family and I will keep them in my prayers.
Rest in peace Mrs. Cole……..