Clara G. Cole (Geri) passed away peacefully at her residence in Rochester Hills, MI, on November 27, 2020; at the age of 91 years old. Geri was born and raised in Jasper, Alabama, where she graduated from Walker High School 1947. She attended Walker College and Livingston State Teachers College. She married her husband, James William Cole, Sr. (Jake) on May 22, 1953. They moved to an apartment in Detroit, Michigan, in 1953, and settled in their home of 70+ years in Hazel Park, MI, in 1954 where they raised their family.
Geri was a schoolteacher in 1952 - 1955, in Sumiton, Alabama. A substitute teacher at Hoover Elementary School in Hazel Park, Michigan, in 1968-1970. A Librarian Assistant from 1970 - 1983 at the Hazel Park Memorial Library. She worked for the City of Hazel Park from 1983-1988. She retired in 1988 and spent time between Jasper, Alabama, and Hazel Park, Michigan, for many years. Geri was an avid reader and was often seen reading a book. She enjoyed creating beautifully decorated cakes for all occasions and took pleasure from gatherings with family and friends where she always contributed something delicious. Geri took great pride volunteering with her church preparing dinner for veterans the first Tuesday of every month. She loved the Tigers, Red Wings, and Mud Hens, and, of course, her church’s baseball team. In recent months, she spent a lot of time knitting winter hats for friends and loved ones. She had the best sense of humor. Her eyes twinkled when she laughed, and her beautiful smile was infectious. Geri will be remembered for her love and devotion for her family as well as her notoriously big, heartfelt hugs.
She is survived by her brother Edwin Banks (Wanda), of Jasper, Al, brother Charles Banks (Earline), of Leeds, Al; sister Laura Wolf (Glynn), of Jasper, AL; daughter Janice K. Soltis (Robert) of Auburn Hills, MI; daughter Linda S. Mayo (Victor), of Bloomfield Hills, MI; son James W. Cole, Jr., of Hazel Park, MI; and her daughter, Anita R. Belanger-Skibbe (Darin Skibbe), of Hazel Park, MI. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Shannon Hall (Thomas); of Bloomfield Hills, MI; Melanie Mattison (Mark), of Madison Heights, MI: Brad Belanger, of Hazel Park, MI; Katrina Belanger, of Vero Beach, FL; Kathryn Soltis, of Kyoto, Japan; Mary Soltis, of Auburn Hills MI; Jacob Skibbe, of Hazel Park, MI, and Cole Skibbe, of Hazel Park, MI. She is also survived by six great grandchildren: Ethan, Kyle, Gabriel, Clair, Meredith, Alina and many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her husband, James W. Cole, Sr., (Jake) of Hazel Park, MI; parents Luther and Juliet Banks, of Jasper, AL; sister, Virginia Anton (James), of Birmingham, Al; brother Donald Banks (Betty), of Jasper, AL; and brother Arnold Banks (Dorothy), of Curry, Alabama.
Geri was a sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and dear friend. She will be missed and forever in our hearts.
Services will be held for immediate family only on Friday, December 4, at Edward Swanson and Son Funeral Home, 30351 Dequindre Road, Madison Heights, MI 48071. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday December 8, 2020, at 11:00 a.m., at Oak Hill Cemetery, 501 Oak Hill Drive, Jasper, AL. with Kilgore-Green Funeral Home directing.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church, 11071 East 11 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48093.
