A Homegoing celebration for Mother Madelyne Gertrude Cooper Cole of Tampa, Florida who passed away on May 9, 2017 will be held on Saturday, May 20th, 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of College Hill, 3838 N. 29th Street, Rev. S. Evans Burrows pastor, officiating. The interment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery. Madelyne Gertrude Cole, who served as an organist for the choir. Madelyne, like her mother Gertrude Williams was a product of Sulfur Springs, and her father Willie Cooper was of King Street South Carolina. Madelyne's journey and life was primarily shared with husband of 75 years, Robert L Cole, who remembers having a crush when seeing her on the way to church service where she served as an organist for the choir. On June 1, 1941 Madelyne and Robert were married. 'Madelyne was the business leader who shared in many decisions that expanded the family business that started on Lake Ave. She is responsible for us being in real-estate. She bought the first house that we rented and is responsible for the properties we own now,' said Robert. For decades, Madelyne served as beautician and manager of the Martin Luther King, Jr. location while inspiring a host of cosmetologist in the area and throughout the state. Often Mrs. Cole, as customers would call her, could find Madelyne sitting in her corner station just a few feet away from the kitchen. That's what made Madelyne unique. She never stopped being a wife and mother, as she would cook an entire meal between customers. Born February 21, 1927, Madelyne turned 90 this year. As her family and friends celebrate her homegoing, her husband and life business partner Robert will continue to share her memories as to who Madelyne Gertrude (Cooper) Cole was: A woman of God, a wife, a mother and business woman. Often Mrs. Cole, as customers would call her, could be found sitting in her corner station just a few feet away from the kitchen. That's what made Madelyne unique. She never stopped being a wife and mother, as she would cook an entire meal between customers. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Cooper and Gertrude Coy Williams; sister, Juanita Brooks; step-son, Robert L. Cole, Jr.; aunts and uncles, Creola Shepherd, Dealer Coy, Lon Coy, Aubry Waterhouse, Van Coy and Albert Coy; nieces and nephews, Geraldine Brooks, Emeran Brooks and Clarence Brooks. She leaves to cherish her memories with her husband, Deacon Robert L. Cole, Sr.; sister, Sylvia Milian (Marcelino);children, James Cole (Renet), Anthony J. Cole, Sr. (Janice) and Jaqueline Walker (Sonya); grandchildren, Todd D. Cole, Sr., Kimberly Kadou, Allison Anderson, Anthony J. Cole, Jr. (Tiffany), James E. Cole (Jawan), Antoinette Kolbe (Tom), Demetrius Cole (Shayla) and Tamika Stullworth (Wayne); great grandchildren, Todd Cole, Jr., Anthony J. Cole, III, James C. Cole, Jaylin E. Cole, Aria Cole, Russell Brandon Cole, Donovan Kolbe and Lennox Kolbe; great great grandchild, Xylann Cole and a host of cousins, additional relatives and friends. The visitation will be held at First Baptist Church of College Hill on Friday, May 19th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The family and friends are asked to meet at the church on Saturday for the service.


Visitation
First Baptist Church of College Hill
Friday, May 19, 2017
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
3838 N. 29th St
Tampa, FL 33610

Funeral Service
First Baptist Church of College Hill
Saturday, May 20, 2017
11:00 AM
3838 N. 29th St
Tampa, FL 33610