Karon Elizabeth Cole

She was born on December 18, 1944, in Stonega, VA, where she was raised by her parents, Robert “Bob” and Fern Crawley. She attended and later graduated from Appalachia High School. She met the love of her life, Lilburn Leroy “Lee” Cole Jr., at a drive-in diner in Big Stone Gap, VA. This was the start to the journey of a lifetime. Karon and Lee were married in June 1965 and enjoyed 58 years of marriage.

Starting their lives together in Roanoke, VA, they had great adventures moving with Lee’s job at IBM to Panama where their son, Michael Todd Cole, was born and later returning to Roanoke where their daughter, Robin Michelle Cole, was born. They eventually settled in Cary, NC, in 1976. Upon moving to Cary, Karon and Lee created a home they cherished and established lifelong friends who became extended family.

Karon was an incredible stay-at-home mom, when Mike and Robin were young. As the kids grew up, she began working with dear friends in the county Department of Social Services and later worked for the N.C. Department of Revenue as a seasonal employee.

Karon was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Fern Crawley. She is survived by her younger brother, Ken Crawley and his wife, Addie, of Moneta, VA; her loving husband, Lee Cole; her children, son, Mike Cole, and his wife, Darla, of Sanford, NC, and daughter, Robin, and husband, Curt Sherrill of Apex, NC. Karon was lovingly known as “Gram” by her grandchildren, Daniel Cole of Sanford, Addie and Zach Sherrill of Apex, as well as her granddogs Arrow and Yogi, and grandcats Domino, Marbles, and T-Rex.

Please join the family for a Celebration of Life Reception on Sunday, August 20, 2023, from 5-7 pm at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Rd, Cary, NC 27511.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below within "add a memory" for the Cole Family.