Nedra Cole

Nedra Dawson Cole After a courageous seventeen year battle with breast cancer, Nedra Dawson Cole of Elkins Lake left this life on October 17, 2009. Her faith in Jesus Christ as Savior has now taken her to her new life in her heavenly home. Nedra is survived by her husband of 54 years, J B Cole, one son, Page Cole and his wife Carol of Wylie, Texas, two grandchildren, Chad and Abby Cole and one sister Polly Brown of Elkins Lake. She is preceded in death by her parents, Buck and Pauline Dawson of Nowata, Oklahoma. Nedra was born April 13, 1936 near Talala, Oklahoma and grew up on a farm and ranch operated by her parents. She graduated from Talala High School where she excelled as a student athlete. She earned the Bachelor’s Degree from Southeastern Missouri State University and later while working and caring for her family, she earned the Master’s Degree from Texas Women’s University graduating with honors. Long service in special education distinguished Nedra’s professional career. She worked in the public schools of five different states and retired from the Windham School District in Huntsville. She was certified as an educational supervisor, an educational diagnostician, and a classroom teacher for special education students. Nedra will be most frequently remembered for her warm, gracious spirit and loving heart. She was generous with kindness and concern for other people. Acquaintances have said they never met anyone who had a bad word to say about Nedra. One friend was heard to remark, “I like to see Nedra coming because she gives such good hugs!” Nedra will also be remembered for keeping in contact with friends through many years. High school friends knew that she would remember their birthday. Friends made through her husband’s career as well as her own career continued to receive holiday greetings despite the years and miles that separated them. And in later years, e-mail allowed her to keep in touch with many whose friendship she cherished. Nedra’s family will remember her with great love and admiration. She was the one who planned the get-togethers and prepared the food for celebrations. She patiently cared for her widowed mother, Pauline Dawson, until her death at age 92. She accommodated her husband’s career with frequent moves and wherever they moved she always made a home that welcomed others. She deeply loved her son and his family and especially enjoyed sharing the life and accomplishments of her grandchildren. After moving to Elkins Lake, Nedra endeared herself to two special groups of friends. One group was made up of retired military personnel and their families. The other special group, “The Card Group”, had weekly get-togethers and frequently traveled together both in the United States and abroad. Nedra was often the “travel agent” for the group and cherished the memories of those trips. A Memorial service will be held Tuesday, October 20, at 10:00AM at University Heights Baptist Church where Nedra was a member. Visitation will be Monday, October 19 from 2-4 PM at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home. Interment will be with her family in Memorial Cemetery in Nowata, Oklahoma. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www.shmfh.com.

Nedra Cole

April 13, 1936 - October 20, 2009