Jeanette J Cole

CHAPIN – Jeanette J. Cole, 87, passed away peacefully at home with her family Thursday, November 29, 2012 after several months of declining health.

She was born in Thompson, Georgia to the late Julian and Rosa Johnson, but lived in the West Columbia area most of her life. She was married to Horace K. Steele for 43 years and they had two children, Cheryl (David) Ayer and Michael (Jeanean) Steele. She devoted her life to her children and her husband being a wonderful wife and mother. Horace and Jeanette were lifelong members of Westside Baptist Church where she was very active in the children’s activities, Sunday School, and choir. She was also involved in her children’s school and was always there for all activities. Her home was where all the kids gathered after school and before band practice for fun, food, and fellowship. Jeanette also worked tirelessly as a helper and supporter in her husband’s businesses. They enjoyed watching sports together, especially the Atlanta Braves baseball, and she and Horace loved to fish at their place in Santee.

After Horace’s death in 1983, she married Lonnie Max Cole in 1988 and had two new daughters added to her life, Brenda (Bruce) Cooper and Debbie (Fred) Head. She and Max enjoyed their retirement years together, traveling, dancing, watching sports, church, and family until his death in October 2012.

The loves of her life were always her grandchildren, Kim Burgess, Robbie (Tia) Burgess, Bobby (Andrea) Steele, Jonathan (Prescilla) Steele, and Ronald Steele, Troy (Catherine) Ayer, Tracey (Alan) Holmes, Heather Rogers, Adam Cooper, Katie Head and Rachel (Ryan) Goetz. She also had sixteen great-grandchildren and was always the MeMaw with the goody box, the jar filled with M&Ms, great food, and the loving home where you could always be rocked and cuddled.

She is also survived by many special nieces and nephews who were always a big part of her life.

We will celebrate her joining her heavenly family at 12:00 noon on Monday, December 3, 2012 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home at Southland Memorial Gardens Cemetery on West Dunbar Road with interment to follow. The service will be conducted by Reverend John McKeown. The family will visit with friends and family one hour prior to the service. Her family wishes to thank Debbie Taylor, Debbie Sloan, and Chaka Leaphart for their help, support, and loving care in the past several months.

Memorials may be made to Oliver Gospel Mission, P.O. Box 7791, Columbia, SC 29202.