Mary C Cole

Mary Caroline Hare Cole passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 25, 2024, at the age of 89. Mary was born in Moore County, NC on May 28, 1934. Her parents were Franklin Stokes and Minnie Brown Hare. She was the eleventh of eleven children. Her father was also the eleventh of eleven children. She was a Hampton, VA resident since 1962, and a longtime member of Central Baptist Church.

Mary was the first in her family to complete high school. In 1958, she married William Ray Cole. They lived their early married years in Copperas Cove, Texas while Ray served in the US Army, stationed at the Killeen Air Base. This is where they would have their first child. Mary often reminisced about their time in Texas where they enjoyed their young married life and made many lifelong friends. They would ultimately come to Hampton, VA so that Ray could work in the Newport News Shipyard. Mary had three brothers that were also in Hampton for the same reason, so their lives were filled with family and friends across the years.

Mary was a stalwart matriarch to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Especially in the latter decades of her life, her every waking hour was spent with or thinking about her extended family. Still, she also impacted the lives of many friends. She had a kind heart and made all people feel welcomed in her presence. Mary would outlive her husband Ray by 12 years. While he was still alive, they would enjoy many outings with their grandchildren to various places and events. After he passed, Mary still enjoyed many more family gatherings, and loved to play games with family and friends.

Mary is survived by her son, Stanley Ray Cole and wife Lynn of Smithfield, VA; daughters: Anita Woodington and husband Patrick of Hayes, VA; and Marsha Ingraldi and husband Tony of Gloucester, VA; grandchildren: Erin Dupuy and husband Ryan; Amy Lutz and husband Aaron; Morgan Tentchikova and husband Matthew; Cole Woodington; Caroline Driscoll and husband Sam; Colleen Hyde and husband Isaac; Sam Ingraldi and wife Leah; Emily, and Caleb Ray Ingraldi. Mary had 21 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Dorothy Hare Miller of Moore County, NC.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to all of the medical providers and their staff for their loving care and kindness to Mary and her family.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 29 from 5:30 until 7:30 pm at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave, Hampton, VA. A celebration of Mary’s life will be held on Thursday, May 30 at 2 pm at the funeral home. Burial will follow at the adjacent Parklawn Memorial Park.

Following the burial ceremony, everyone is invited to gather at Central Baptist Church, 2739 Hampton Highway, Yorktown, VA for a reception. Memorial contributions may be made to Central Baptist Church, Yorktown, VA.