Obituary of Ruth Cole

Ruth Marie Ross Cole, age 98, of Mixon, went home to be with her Lord on Thursday, December 13,2018, at the Angelina House assisted living facility in Jacksonville. She was a loving and caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She devoted her life to teaching and earned the title of “my favorite teacher” from countless students.

Born on September 25, 1920, in Mixon, to William Tell Ross and Susie Musick Ross, Ruth was the second oldest of five children and always wanted to be a teacher. Mrs. Cole began college at Lon Morris during the Great Depression. She started teaching at just 16 years old at the Mixon School. After two years teaching, she went on to receive her master’s degree at Stephen F. Austin State University. The college newspaper published a story about Ruth and 4 family members who all graduated SFA on the same day. From there she went on to teach at Bullard, New Hope, and Del Valle, before retiring from Troup ISD - teaching a total of 48 years and coaching girl’s basketball for 5 of those years.

Mrs. Cole was a member of First Baptist Church of Mixon, where she helped establish a monthly senior game night. Mrs. Cole was active in the Troup Women’s Civic Organization, Troup Genealogical Society and Troup Friends of the Library. In 2012, Mr. and Mrs. Cole were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Troup ISD.

Mrs. Cole enjoyed traveling with her late husband, cheering on her beloved Dallas Cowboys, playing dominoes, getting her hair and nails done while catching up on the latest talk of the town, baking one of her famous pies, watching the Hallmark channel, hosting family gatherings and bragging on her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by the two loves of her life. She was widowed in 1954 while pregnant by her first husband, Leslie Lynn Langston. She then remarried her second love, Oma M. Cole, on June 14, 1963 and celebrated 35 years together, before he passed away. She will also greet her sisters, Navoleine Roddy and Doris Stockton Blair, and her brothers Frank and Bill T. Ross in glory. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Les and Karen Langston of Mixon, along with 3 grandchildren, Jo Lynn and Eric Williams of Latham, New York, Brooke and Matt Ranshaw of Troup, and Will Cole Langston stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, Brody and Beau Williams of Latham, New York and Lynnlee, Aven and Maxen Ranshaw of Troup. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

The family would like to express deep gratitude to the entire staff at the Angelina House for taking care of Ruth for the past 2 years and to the nurses of Heart to Heart hospice care.

The family will receive visitors Saturday, December 15 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Cottle Funeral Home in Troup. Services will be Sunday, December 16, at 2:00 p.m. at FBC Mixon, with pastors Bro. Joe Ballard and Bro. Jerry Hawbaker officiating. Burial will follow at Mixon Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Tim Ross, Tell Ross, Weslee Ross, Billy Ross, Dwade Reinsch, Alan Fisher, Bill Morris, Jerry Lacy, and Dicky Davenport. Honorary pallbearers are Dewayne Brown, Ray Ross, Frank Cole Ross, Dennis Mays, John Stockton, and Merle Moon.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cottle Funeral Home, Troup.

Memorials may be made to the Troup Education Foundation and Heart to Heart Hospice.