Dolly Evelyn Cole

Dolly Evelyn Cole was born on February 2nd, 1933 in Teresita, OK, the daughter of George Washington and Bessie Alma (Moore) Hobbs. She was the oldest of nine children in the family, and attended Lucky School in Teresita and later Oaks. As was usual in this time, she didn’t finish school as her help was needed at home. Her mother passed away when she was only 14 years old and she became mother to her youngest siblings. She met and married Arvil Cole on May 1st, 1953, and together they raised a family of three children, Jerry, Michael and Carolyn, first in the Teresita area, then Liberty area where Terry joined the family. Arvil and Dolly enjoyed 25 years of marriage. She loved spending time with all of her family, especially her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was honest and hardworking, and raised her children to be the same. She would do anything to help her family, friends and neighbors, and spent most of her life caring for others. Her summers were spent raising a garden, canning, and taking care of her flowers until she was no longer able to do it. The flower beds were Dolly’s pride and joy, and if anything happened to them while the lawn was being mowed, you would definitely hear about it! Her favorite hobby was sewing and she made many items of clothing and quilts over the years. She was a member of the Liberty Extension Homemaker’s Club for many years and thoroughly enjoyed meeting monthly with the ladies of the community. She served as a representative for the club and entered her home canned jars of fruits and vegetables in the Cherokee County Fair. She learned to drive after she was married and had children, and practiced driving in the cow pasture, with her kids riding along. When married to Arvil, there were many evenings spent loudly playing their favorite board game, “Wa Hoo” with family and friends. After Arvil passed, Dolly later married James Chance on November 6th, 1998, and they were married for 10 years. She accepted the Lord as her Christ and Saviour and was baptized when she was 37 and lived a Christian life from that time on.

Over the years, she faithfully attended church at the Liberty House Of Prayer, where she taught the children’s Sunday School classes. After the Liberty House Of Prayer shut its doors, she attended Liberty Grace Chapel until her health kept her homebound. Her faith never faltered over the years. She continued to witness for God to the Staff while at the Skilled Nursing Center, before being moved to the long-term care. Dolly passed from this life on June 3rd, 2023 in Tahlequah surrounded by those who loved her. She was 90 years old. Our Mama will be greatly missed but we find comfort in knowing that she is now at rest in the loving arms of God. Thank You Jesus.

Dolly is preceded in death by her grandparents, her mother and father, George and Bessie Hobbs, her son, Jerry Cole, first husband Arvil Cole, second husband James Chance, two brothers, Dennis and Jimmy Hobbs, two sisters, Elizabeth Forrest and husband Donald Forrest, Ruth Rose, one sister- in-law, Billie Hobbs and one brother- in- law, Charles Castillo.

Those left to cherish her life include her children, Michael Cole and wife Nancy of Tahlequah, OK, Carolyn Hadden and husband Steven of Tahlequah, OK, Terry Cole and wife Annette of Tahlequah, OK, and daughter-in-law Margie Cole of Tahlequah, OK. She leaves her sisters, Glenda Faye Johnson and husband Felix of Peggs, OK, Virginia Castillo of Wagoner, OK, Darlene Dolan and husband Bob of Jamestown, CA, one brother, Homer Hobbs of Peggs, OK, and sister- in- law, Ella Hobbs of Leach, OK. Dolly lives on in her eleven grandchildren, Malesha Thomas and husband Steve of Tahlequah, OK, Marisa Cole of Claremore, OK, Annie Swaim of Enid, OK, Chad Cole and wife Joy of Oktaha, OK, Bradley Cole of Tahlequah, OK, Leslie Chipps and husband Cody of Peggs, OK, Trent Hadden of Tahlequah, OK, and Tyler Hadden of Tulsa, OK, Justin Cole and wife Jessica of Ponca City, OK, Derek Cole and wife Alison of Peggs, OK, and Haley Cole of Tahlequah, OK. She also leaves 14 great grandchildren, Hayden and Heath Thomas, Landon Dunham, Evelyn and Koe Swaim, Caleb and Joshua Cole, Michelle and Kayla Dallis, Natasha Crittenden, Boston Taylor, Ryleigh, Blake and Liam Cole, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.

The family would like to take the time to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude for the wonderful care provided to our mother by the Cherokee County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center as well as the staff of Compassus Hospice Staff.

Funeral services for Dolly Evelyn (Hobbs) Cole will be held on Friday, June 9th, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Reed-Culver Chapel with Pastor Rex Hendrickson officiating and Eulogy by Steve Thomas. She will be laid to rest at Moodys Cemetery next to her first husband, Arvil Cole.

Pallbearers for Dolly include her grandsons, Chad Cole, Bradley Cole, Trent Hadden, Tyler Hadden, Justin Cole and Derek Cole. Her honorary pallbearers include Landon Dunham, Caleb Cole, Joshua Cole, Heath Thomas, and Steve Hadden.

She will have a visitation on Thursday, June 8th, 2023 from 1:00 PM until 7:00 PM, with her family here from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM. Online condolences for Dolly may be left at www.reedculver.com.