Robert Rhea Cole

On May 17, 2017 Robert Rhea Cole, Sr. at the age of 87 years departed this life in Waynesboro, TN. He was born January 12, 1930 in Waynesboro, TN and is the son of the late Guilford (Bill) Taylor Cole and Mary Lou Daniels Cole. In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by his brothers James Taylor Cole and David Lynn Cole, sisters, Mary Louise Cole Brondum, Alma Marie Cole Revere, and Doris Jean Cole Klingelhoets. Robert was a 1948 Wayne County High School graduate. He served his country in the United States Air Force and was a veteran of the Korean War. He received his B.S. degree in 1956 from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN. He was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, and past president of Sigma Epsilon Omieron, honorary fraternity, and was a member of the St. James Episcopal Church in Knoxville, TN. He then went on to receive his Masters +45 from the University of Tennessee in Martin, TN. He was united in marriage to Faye Burdett on December 19, 1959 in Canton, MS. They lived in Atlanta, GA where Robert was a Southeast Zone Auditor for Allstate Insurance Company. In 1967, they moved to Waynesboro where he retired as an educator for over 34 years, 5 years as a supervisor of attendance, 22 years as the principal of Waynesboro Elementary School and 7 years supervisor of instruction. He was a former Waynesboro City Commissioner, former Wayne County School Board Member, former member of the Lions Club , present member of the Masonic Lodge #127 of Waynesboro, TN. and member of the Wayne County retired Teachers Association. He also served as Vice President and President of the Association. Robert is survived by his wife Faye Burdett Cole of Waynesboro, TN, sons Robert (Bobby) Rhea Cole, Jr. of Bath Springs, TN, Daniel (Dan) Burdett Cole of Clifton, TN., and daughter Patti Rhenee Cole Thompson, husband Marcus Thompson of Athens, AL., grandchildren, Payten Rhenae Cole Boston, husband Derek Boston, and Karlee Faith Cole of Loretto, TN., brothers, Harold Cole, wife Edna Cole of Waynesboro, TN., and Jasper J. Cole, wife Rowena Cole of Mesa, AZ. Memorial Services will be held on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Waynesboro TN. Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m.at the Shackelford Funeral Directors chapel and conclude when the memorial service begins at 3:30 p.m. Mrs. Dean Stegall, Mr. Paul Coggins, and Mr. Richard Rains will be officiating the memorial service. Mr. Robert Cole will be cremated. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association @ alz.org › join_the_cause_donate.asp
or to a charity of your choice.