J.W. 'Wilbur' Cole

Evans Funeral Home announces the death of Mr. Joe Wilbur Cole, age 96, of Talmo, Ga. who passed away February 23, 2012 following a period of declining health. Mr. Cole, born in Wilkes County, was a son of the late Charlie and Ellen Simpson Cole. Mr. Cole was the oldest member of Pendergrass Baptist Church and was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Woodie Gee Cole and brothers, T.J. Cole, Charles Edwin Cole and sisters, Allene Fricks, Grace Cole and Ruth Martin. Mr. Cole was the last surviving person who helped in building the Pendergrass Baptist Methodist Church in 1935.

Mr. Cole attained the rank of sergeant in the US Marine Corp in WWII. He was a machinist on amphibious tanks and served at the battle of Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima and the Occupation of Japan. Mr. Cole was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. After returning to Pendergrass in December 1945, he farmed and then began building houses and helping family and friends by doing plumbing and electrical work, repairing chicken house equipment and was called on to work on anything that needed "fixing". Later he worked for many years at McEver Packing Company and Gold Kist Pork in Talmo.

Survivors include his sons and daughters in law, Don and Lois Cole, Jefferson, Ga; Larry and Susan Cole, Baldwin, Ga; and daughter and son in law, Linda and Joe McMullan, Talmo, Ga; Grandchildren include Julie Cole, Paris, France; Teresa Cole, New Orleans, Louisiana; Brant and Cindy McMullan, Jefferson, Ga; Mark and Donna McMullan, Hoschton, Ga; and Lisa Cole, Boston Massachusetts. Great Grandchildren include, Tempe` Cole, Elizabeth, Sara, Cathryn, Manci, and Marlee McMullan.

Funeral services will be held Saturday February 25, 2012 at 2PM at Pendergrass Baptist Church with Reverends Kevin Burgess and Ervin Goss officiating. Interment will follow in the Pendergrass Baptist Church Cemetery. Honored as pallbearers will be W.T. Sosebee, Lt. Col. Tom Taylor, Marty Lance, Benny Stansel, Jim Love, and Joe Elrod. Honorary pallbearers will be Bruce Elrod, Henry Underwood, Bill Hazelgreen, Luther Pruitt, Hoyt Garrett, and Reverend Chester Hall.

Those desiring can make memorials to Pendergrass Baptist Church or Pendergrass Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 146, Pendergrass, Georgia 30567.

The family will receive friends on Friday February 24, 2012 from 5 until 8 P.M. at Evans Funeral Home.

Special thanks to Compassionate Hospice of North Georgia nurses, Susie Leach, Shaconda Verdell, Roz Hutchinson, BraDana Hurry-Clanton and spiritual advisor, Barbara Campbell.

Evans Funeral Home, 1350 Winder Highway Jefferson, GA 30549. 706-367-5467. Online Condolences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com