In Remembrance of Arlean Cole
Mrs. Arlean Cole was born February 4, 1923 in Roundpond, Arkansas to Augusta and Annie Moore. She was the first of three children born to this union that survived. She departed this life for life eternal on Wednesday morning, November 12, 2014 at her residence on Sparkman Drive.
Arlean was born into a Christian family and was baptized to the A. M. E. Methodist faith at an early age. Her father, Augusta Moore, was a pastor, and called his daughter “Suga Babe.” Her assigned scripture was John 15:1, which reads, “ I am the true vine, and my father is the husbandman.” She could still repeat this scripture right up until the end.
She was educated in the public schools of Arkansas and loved to play basketball. Arlean had to leave school and an early age to attend to her ailing mother. She married Robert Luckett at age 17. To this union, one son was born. Years later, Arlene married Luke Cole Jr., and together they raised 10 children- seven girls and three boys, in addition to Luke’s daughter, Ella Mae Cole McNairy.
The family moved to Missouri during the early 1950s where they sharecropped and raised the family. She united with Northside Missionary Baptist church under the pastorate of Reverend William C. Gilmore, and encouraged her children in the Lord. Upon Luke’s retirement in 1968, the family relocated to Michigan, where Arlean was employed at Howard Johnson’s restaurant as a cook. She united with the true light Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend W. L. Patterson. When her youngest child was grown, Arlean moved again to Oakland, California, and purchased a home there. In Oakland, she joined the m
inistry of Bethel Baptist church under the leadership of Reverend Hubert Guice. Arlean continued her career as a cook for Wayne Rounseville Convalenscent Hosptial, and eventually retired from there. Following her retirement, Arlean settled in Huntsville, Alabama and aligned with Saint Luke Christian church under the leadership of Pastor T. C. Johnson.
Arlean had several hobbies that included sewing, quilting, gardening, and her great love for raising her grandchildren, which were the “loves” of her life.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, her husband, Luke Cole Jr., two brothers, John and Clarence more; a sister Arelanthia Sykes; a son, Robert Lee Luckett, and three grandsons: Victor Luckett, Rahsaan Lee Woods, and Christopher Cole.
Arlean leaves behind to cherish her wisdom and memories to two sons, Patrick Lee (Cheryl) Cole of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Peter Richard (Tonya) Cole of Oakland, California; seven daughters: Nepora Johnson of Atlanta, Georgia, Bobby Moore-Biles, and Gloria Dean Vance, both of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Lillie B. Tubbs, Hazel Mae (Roy) Cole-Blackshire, and Ruby Jean Cole, all of Huntsville, Alabama, and Hester (Paul) Lewis of Brazil, Central America, And Ella Mae Johnson of Atlanta, Georgia; one brother, Terry (Christine) Moore of Wyn, Arkansas; one sister, Carolyn (Maurice) Bailey of Parkin, Arkansas; a special brother in law, Buddy Sykes of Heth, Arkansas; 46 grandchildren, 70 great grandchildren, and 36 great great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
Arlean’s constant prayer was for God to allow her to live long enough to see her children grown and doing well. Answering her prayers, God blessed her with 91 years. She served the true and living God.