Sarah Cole

COLE

Sarah Nell Cole, age 90, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 31, 2018, surrounded by her loving family.  Born in Sheffield, Alabama, on November 28, 1927, to the late Dr. Millard Paul Coker and Rosa Pitts Coker, Nell was preceded in death by her brother Millard Paul Coker, Jr. and his wife Wilma Coker.  Nell was a proud magna cum laude graduate of Fisk University, with degrees in English and Music, and was a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.  Nell also received a Master’s degree in Speech Pathlogy from Southern Connecticut State University in 1972 and served as a faculty member for many years.

After living in Birmingham, Alabama, and New Haven, Connecticut, Nell relocated to Columbus, Ohio, to be close to her sons and grandchildren.  Her love and pride for her sons and family could not be measured. Along with spending time with family, she was an avid reader and loved to play Scrabble and bridge.

Nell is survived by her three children, Judge Ransey Guy (Kathleine) Cole, Jr., Dr. Paul Thurston Cole, and Dr. Arthur Neil (Kristen) Cole, nephew Millard Paul (Maxine) Coker III, nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and many family members and friends whom she cared about deeply.

Throughout her life, Nell was active in many professional, community and church activities, most recently First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Columbus.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Nell’s name to:

Social Justice Park

c/o First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ

444 East Broad Street

Columbus, OH 43215

(614) 228-1741

(https:// www.socialjusticepark.org/ )

or to:

The Fisk Fund

Fisk University

Office of Advancement Services

1000 17th Ave. N.

Nashville, TN  37208

(615) 329-8768

https:// connect.fisk.edu/ways-to-support-fisk

A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 22, at 10:30 a.m., at First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, 444 E. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215.

Our family would like to express our deepest appreciation for the many phone calls, cards, prayers, and support extended to us during this time.  We are especially grateful to the Reverend Dr. Tim Ahrens of First Congregational Church for his support and for his love for Nell over the years.