Cleo Lionel Cole, 92 years of age, was born November 13, 1927 in Ravensford, NC. He was the son of the late William C. Cole and Leona Jenkins Cole. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Damon Cole; brothers, William C. Cole, Jr., Billy Cole and Alex Cole; and sisters, Wilma Cole Dancy and Doralee Cole Harvey.
He is survived by his daughters, Della and Tonya Cole; son, Steve Cole and wife, Trina; and his "nother daughter" Rene Atkinson; brothers, Lonnie Cole and wife, Ginger, Jerome Cole, Donald Cole and wife, Jennifer; and a sister-in-law, Joyce Damon Bellay.
His grandchildren and great- grandchildren, include Jacob Rakes, Catilin Chisholm and husband, John and their daughter, Lyla, Shannon Rakes and Xavier Cole.
Cleo served his country proudly in the US Army as a medic in the Pacific Arena on hospital ship USS Mercy. He was recalled to duty and stationed at Valley Forge Military Hospital.
Cleo was a long time resident of Tank Branch Road in Glen Morgan, where for many years he was known as the "chicken" or "tomato" man because he raised chickens for Purina and sold tomatoes to restaurants and drive-ins in the Beckley area. He had many jobs over the course of his life but his favorite was an inspector for Alpha Associates where he worked until he was 82 years of age.
At his request, please no flowers. Cleo had an exceptionally rewarding relationship with the staff and patrons of the Raleigh County Commission on Aging where he loved to have lunch, laugh, dance and exercise. Please make any donations of sympathy to the Raleigh County Commission on Aging, 1614 South Kanawha Street, Beckley WV 25801. Telephone number 304-255-1397.
Services to celebrate the life of Cleo will be held 2:00PM Monday, November 2, 2020 at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley with Jack Tanner officiating. Family will serve as pallbearers. Military Honors will be conducted by the Mercer County Veterans Honor Guard. Following the services Cleo will be laid to rest at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.
Friends may gather with the family from 1:00PM until time of the service Monday at the funeral home.
In keeping with the mandate ordered by the Governor of WV, facial coverings and social distancing is required.
For more information please visit www.blueridgefuneralhome.com
Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley is honored to be serving the Cole family.
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