Francis C. Cole

Francis Cornelius Cole of Easton died on Friday October 22, 2004 at Talbot Hospice House. He was 86. Born May 7, 1918 in Rhodesdale Maryland, he was the son of the late Frank Enoch and Hattie Wright Cole. Upon completing high school in Seaford Delaware he enlisted in the United States Navy in August of 1941. He spent four years at the 5th Naval District in Norfolk, Virginia on the ship “Scotia” as Machinist Mate First Class. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to the Eastern Shore and began working for Easton Utilities in the electric maintenance department. Francis was promoted to the superintendent of maintenance, responsible for the operation and installation of all the electric generating motors in the Easton plant. In 1942 he married the former Annabel Wainwright and they had two daughters Marta Ann and Connie Lee. In 1978 Francis retired from the Easton Utilities after 42 years of service. Francis then began driving a truck, delivering bulk mail for Harvey Prettyman. He retired from the mail delivery position in 2000 after 20 years of service. His wife Annabel died November 21, 1987 after 45 years of marriage. He remarried in July 1990 to the former Lena Marie Smith and they made their home at Whitemarshes Farm on Matthewstown Road in Easton. Mr. Cole was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Easton; Life member of the Tuckahoe Gas and Steam Show; Life member of E.E. Streets Memorial Post #5118; Elks Lodge #1622; and the Moose Lodge in Easton. He was a very active member of the Methodist Church at the time of the merger of the three Methodist Churches in Easton and devoted much time and labor during the construction of St. Marks United Methodist Church. Mr. Cole is survived by his wife Lena Marie Cole of Easton; two daughters Marta Ann Gibson and her husband David of Cambridge; Connie Lee Lewis of Easton; two granddaughters Nichole Bordley of Greensboro and Chrystel Dickerson of Denton; and five great grandchildren. Seven half brothers and sisters Frank and Yolanda Cole Jr. of Rhode Island, Julia Butler of Greensboro Maryland, Evans Cole of Rhode Island, Lois Jean Stanton of Sudlersville Maryland, Ronald Wayne and JoAnn Cole of Missouri, Richard and Joyce O’Neal of Sudlersville Maryland and Paul and Ortha Bickling of Georgia. Two sisters in law Mary Ellen Cole and Dorothy Cole and two step-children Lewis Smith and his wife Gwen of Easton and Jo Bender of Salisbury; four step-grandchildren Jeffrey King, Barry King and his wife Laura all of Salisbury, Amy Priest and her husband Doug of Hillsboro, and Wendy Sauca and her husband Sam of Easton; five step-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by three brothers; Hynson C. Cole, Harvey Jackson Cole, and Roger Cole. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 27, 2004 at 11:00 A.M. at Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home, P.A. in Easton where friends may call one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Spring Hill Cemetery, Easton Maryland. Serving as Pallbearers will be Lewis Smith, Jeff King, Frank Cole, Doug Priest, Wayne Cole, and Frank O’Neal. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Ken Sullivan, Jack Lane, Bill Sharp, Artie Townsend, Harvey Prettyman, and Lee Callahan. Memorial Donations may be made to Talbot Hospice Foundation, 586 Cynwood Drive, Easton Maryland 21601; or the Historic Cemeteries of Easton, Inc., P.O Box 1553, Easton Maryland, 21601.