Funeral services for Mrs. Willie B. Cole will be on Monday, June 26 at 12:00 PM, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Bogue Chitto with burial to follow in the church cemetery; the family will receive visitors from 10:00 AM until time of the service.  Dr. David Champagne and Bro. Brandon Lynch will be officiating the services with Brookhaven Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Cole, 91, of Bogue Chitto, MS, passed from this life on June 23, 2023, surrounded by her family.  She was born on October 5, 1931, in Kosciusko, MS, to Willie Franklin and Nancy Ellard Burdett.

The well-lived life of "Miss Willie," or Mimi Cole, as she was affectionately known, can be described with 3 simple words – Faith, Family, Food. As a wife, mother, and public servant, her heart's desire was to live a life worthy of the calling and to hear "well done" at the end of her earthly journey.

As directed in 2 Timothy 4:7, she fought the good fight, she kept the faith, she finished her race. She was a woman of strong convictions, abiding faith, and an endless capacity to love people with her whole heart. This selfless love was forbearing, corrective, and everlasting. She tried to love as Jesus loved. To the very end, she dedicated her life to loving, nurturing, and praying for her massive family and circle of friends – proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to all those entrusted to her.

The Cole Matriarch was a gracious, kind, generous lady who enjoyed large family gatherings centered around her fabulous food. She was an excellent hostess and cook and used those talents to bless her community regularly. Food was her "love language." Upon entering her home, you were offered food and drink. Hungry or not, you learned it was always best to accept her offerings the first time because she always won that battle. Her culinary talents were legendary and she passed on the love and talent for cooking to three generations of matriarchs in training, or MITS.

Mimi regularly expressed how God had blessed her "with the desires of her heart." In her words, she had "a perfect life" – the good, the bad, the easy, the hard all made for a perfect, well-lived life of peace and joy.

The tasks God assigned to her are complete. What a legacy of LOVE!

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband of 46 years, Colonel Harry L. Cole, Sr. USAF Retired; husband, Dewey R. "Grit" Ward; grandchildren, Gary Cole, Callie Cole, and Levi Johnson; and her 8 siblings.

Those left to carry the torch are her 6 children, Lane Cole, Rachel Gatlin (Marc), John Cole (Jenny), Cheri Altman (Danny), Marty Lewman (Steve), Tom Cole (Frances).
Grandchildren: H.L. Cole, III (Lindsey), Tyler Cole, Ellen Champagne (David), Cole Gatlin (Claire), Robert Gatlin (LaSha), Anna Mooney (Matt), Clay King, John Richard Cole, Jr. (Mari), Rob Hataway (Melanie), Lindsay Johnson (Jordan), Jessie Medlin (Erik), Lou Ann Langston (Jacob), Ross Gray Lewman (Alyssa), Ann Marie Cole, Jackson Cole.
Great-Grandchildren: Ellie & Mason Cole; Julia Shepherd (Michael), Ende Woodward (Isaac), Harrison Champagne (Anastasia) & Franklin Champagne; Elizabeth, Mary Linley, Henry & Ann Alden Gatlin; Finn & Della Gatlin; Connor, Kathryn & Cullen Mooney; Jacob Cole, Nate & Kalyn King; John, Charlotte, Harper & Claire Cole; Maggie & Elizabeth Hatawy; Kaylynn, Joanna & Job Johnson; Jameson, Elijah, Liam & Ezekiel Medlin; Asher & Uriah Langston; Landon Cole.
Great-Great Grandchildren: William, Arthur & Loxley Shepherd; Paul, Amedee & Moriah Woodward; and Ellie Noah King.
Two special friends, Zina Wilson and Liz Anton.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the following Pleasant Hill Baptist Church designated funds:
Callie Cole PHBC Mission Fund
PHBC Building Fund
Isaac & Ende Church Planting Fund