Bessie Clara Cole

Mrs. Bessie Clara Cole, 89, 603 Mercury Street, Johnson City passed away Sunday, December 30, 2012 in the Johnson City Medical Center. She was a native of Taylorsville, NC but had lived most of her life in Johnson City. Mrs. Cole was a daughter of the late Bryson and Emma Auton Land. She was a homemaker and a member of the Piney Grove Freewill Baptist Church and attended East Watauga Avenue Baptist Church. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Eugene Cole in 1998; three sons, Ray E. Cole, Robert Lee Cole and Ernest Eugene Cole Jr.; three brothers, David, Charlie and Jet Land; three sisters, Jannie Williams, Hazel Willis and Ethel Bawgus; also two sons-in-law, James Arnett and Larry Tester. Survivors include three daughters, Linda Shell and her husband, Ray of Jonesborough, Brenda Surber and Mary Arnett both of Johnson City; a sister, Hallie Campbell, Johnson City; twenty-five grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; also several nieces and nephews. The Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Cole will be conducted at 7:00 PM Thursday, January 3, 2013 in the East Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Home, 800 E. Watauga Avenue, Johnson City with Rev. Lenny Smith and Rev. Steve Shell officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday from 5:00 PM until the service hour. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, January 4, 2013 in the Washington County Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Shannon Coy, Bryan Tester, James Arnett Jr., Larry Tester, Ray Cole Jr., Josh Cole, Brandon Tester and Ray Cole III. Everyone attending this service is asked to meet at the funeral home Friday by 10:30 AM to go in procession to the cemetery. The family would like to offer special thanks to the staff of the Johnson City Medical Center 5300 wing and the Mountain States Hospice Group. Also to Kathy King and Tommy Pierson for all of their help and support during Mrs. Cole's illness. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials be made in her name to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607. Visitation: Thursday Jan. 3 2013 -5:00 to 7:00 PM Appalachian Funeral Home Services: Thursday Jan.3 2013 - 7:00 PM Interment: Fridy Jan. 4 2013 - 11:00 AMNRead Obituary