BETTY SUE PUGH COLE

BETTY SUE PUGH COLE, a resident of the Oakland Community, retired Medical Receptionist and wife of Ronald K. Cole died Thursday, September 24, 2009 at the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis. She was 69 years of age.

Funeral services for Mrs. Cole were conducted at 2 P.M. Sunday, September 27th at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Rev. Larry Kendrick, Pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Somerville, officiating. Interment followed in the Fayette County Memorial Park Cemetery on Highway 64. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes-West Chapel of Oakland.

Mrs. Cole was born in Greenfield, Tennessee on May 10, 1940 to James Willie Pugh and Ruby Pauline Arnold Pugh, who have both preceded her in death.

She moved at an early age with her family to Memphis where she attended public schools and was a graduate of the Messick High School.

She married Ronald K. Cole on January 13, 1967. Mr. Cole, who survives, is a retired Chief of the Market News Branch of the United States Department of Agriculture-Cotton Division after forty-two years.

Mrs. Cole, formerly employed as a Medical Receptionist for Drs. Tabor and Towner, Pediatric Physicians in Memphis, had been retired for the past eight years.

Fomerly of Bartlett, Mrs. Cole was an eleven-year resident of the Oakland Community and was a devoted member of the Somerville First United Methodist Church, the Stone Soup Sunday School Class and the Community Bible Study in Somerville.

Her interests included reading, flowers and gardening and caring for her pets.

Known for her friendly, outgoing nature, her infectious laughter endeared her to all who knew her.

Her grandchildren were a constant source of joy and inspiration to her.

In addition to her husband of forty-two years, Mrs. Cole's survivors include her daughter, Christy Cole of the Oakland Community; her son, Arthur K. Cole of Germantown; her sister, Penny McDowell of Memphis; two brothers, James Pugh and Jerry Pugh, both of Greenfield, TN and two grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by three brothers: Raymond Pugh, Charles Pugh and Bobby Floyd Pugh.

Mrs. Cole's nephews; Michael Pugh, Tim Pugh, Alan Pugh, James Wayne Pugh, Matthew Pugh and Richard Pugh honored her by serving as pallbearers.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the First United Methodist Church Christian Activities Center, 202 South East Street, Somerville, TN 38068; Phone: (901) 465-2627.