Thomas M. Cole, Sr.

Mr. Thomas M. Cole, Sr., 91, Jonesborough, passed away Thursday, January 15, 2015, at the Christian Care Center of Johnson City. Mr. Cole was a deacon and Sunday school teacher in church until his illness did not allow him to attend. He was of the Baptist faith. He told everyone he met of his savior, Jesus Christ, until he could not speak any longer. Mr. Cole worked for Tennessee Game and Fish for eleven years prior to retiring from the US Postal Service as a rural carrier after thirty years of service. He worked part-time at Morris-Baker for several years. He served in the US Navy aboard the USS Melvin as a Torpedomans Mate Third Class during World War II. He was preceded in death by: his mother, Emily Queen Cole; father, Thomas Jefferson Cole; wife of forty-three years, Bernice Edwards Cole; second wife, Thelma Braswell Cole; one brother, Melvin Cole; and four sisters, Maxie Goodman, Lydia Mae Johnson, Mallie Burleson, and Ruth Chapman. He is survived by: son, Thomas M. Cole, Jr., and his wife Cathy; twin daughters, Sharon and Karen Cole; four grandchildren, Eric Jones, Kristy Jones, Jeromy Jones, and Nikki Cole Weaver; four great grandchildren, Jennifer Jones, Brandon Jones, and J.T. Steet and Madison Jones; and numerous nieces and nephews. The Cole family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. James Ross, Dr. Michael Bookout, and Dr. William Huddleston, as well as Amedisys Hospice Care and nurses Tracey Ratner, Chris Hughes, Debbie Hinkle, Teresa Sims, and Sara Vines. The family of Mr. Thomas M. Cole, Sr. will receive friends from 5 to 7 PM Saturday, January 17, 2015, in the Morris-Baker Chapel. The funeral service will follow with Dr. Gene Lasley officiating. The graveside committal service will be conducted at 1 PM Sunday in Monte Vista Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be: Shane Morton, Jeromy Jones, Bob Weaver, Brandon Jones, J.T. Steet, and Bill Hicks. Honorary pallbearers are: David Davis, Eric Jones, Josh Mosley, Benny Hagy, and Judge John Keiner. The Boone Dam Post # 4933 and the Tennessee National Guard will accord military honors. Minister, family, and friends are requested to meet at Morris-Baker by 12:30 PM Sunday to go in procession to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Buffalo Ridge Baptist Church, Bus Ministry, 197 Suncrest St., Gray, TN 37615 or Boone Trail Baptist Church, Building Fund, 1985 Carroll Creek Road, Johnson City, TN 37615.