Mollie Purdom Cole
Mollie Purdom Cole passed away peacefully on December 16, 2021 at the age of 92 at Abbey Hospice in Social Circle.
Mollie is preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Augustus (Gus) Cole, her parents, James Lewis and Harriet “Hattie” Riggins Purdom, and her five brothers and five sisters.
Mollie and Gus had 55 years together before his passing in 2007.
Mollie is survived by her three children: Michael Purdom Cole, Julie Cole (James Wilson), and Gail Cole (Rita Mathis), three grandchildren: Zack Cole (Rachel Childers Cole), Zack Wilson (Shannon Balestrini), and Andrea Kellam Hargadon (Josiah Hargadon), four great-grandchildren, Leela Hargadon, Santino Hargadon, Malachi Hargadon, and Augustus (Gus) Cole, her sister-in-law Hiep Cole, and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Mollie was raised on a farm in Nahunta, Ga. After graduating high school at the age of 16, Mollie attended Berry College. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics at Georgia College in Milledgeville. She later completed her Masters in Elementary Education at Georgia State University. Mollie was working as a Home Economist in DeKalb County when she met and married a musician named Augustus (Gus) Cole. After she and Gus had been married eight years, Gus answered the call into ministry with the United Methodist Church.
Mollie was a natural as a preacher’s wife. She had a deep faith and commitment to serving God and following wherever God was to lead her and Gus. As Gus served churches in several towns, Mollie served by becoming a teacher. She helped hundreds of children learn to read and encouraged learning throughout her 30 years as a public-school teacher. Mollie would not allow any child to give up and believed every child could learn. She was committed to reaching each child and made a difference in so many lives.
Mollie loved her family. She loved her church. She loved playing bridge and the friendships she developed throughout her life. She was loved and respected by many, and she will be missed.
A memorial service will be held at Monticello First United Methodist Church on Monday, January 3, 2022 at 11 a.m. Dr. John Brown and Pastor Kara Wilson will officiate.
The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022 at the Monticello First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.
Masks are required for all attendees.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Mollie Cole, to Monticello First United Methodist Church, 651 College Street, Monticello, Ga. 31064; or Abbey Hospice, 215 Azalea Court, Social Circle, Ga. 30025.
Jordan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visit its website at www.jordanfuneralhomemonticello.com.