Betty Jo Cole

Betty Jo (Needham) Cole, 81, of Van Buren, passed away Saturday, January 3, 2026, in Alma. She was born January 5, 1944, in Scranton, AR to the late Barney and Naomi (Johnson) Needham. She was known as Miss Betty for over 35 years as a kindergarten teacher at Kiddie College. She cared deeply and touched many lives over her teaching career. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and caring grandmother.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Cole.

She is survived by two sons, Randy Cole and his wife Stacy of Alma and Shannon Cole and his wife Angela of Alma; a brother, Arlis Needham of Van Buren; three grandchildren, Casey Cole, McKinzie Zimmerman and her husband Keith and Seth Cole.

The family will visit with friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Highway, Van Buren, AR.

Private burial will be at Freedom Cemetery near Chester under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to be made to Almost Home Animal Shelter at www.almosthomesheltervb.com or at 707 North 22nd, Van Buren, AR 72956.