RICH SQUARE, NC – Laura Walston Cole, age 96, formerly of Rich Square, passed away on April 10, 2019 at the Capital Nursing and Rehabilitation of Raleigh, NC.

Mrs. Cole was born on April 4, 1923 to Frank Crowell Walston and Nettie White Wimbrow Walston in Bertie County, NC. Laura worked as a bookkeeper for her husband at his Radio & TV shop in Rich Square. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. Laura loved her family dearly and enjoyed spending time with them. She was a Godly woman that loved her church, enjoyed bird watching, and crocheting. Laura will be deeply missed by all that knew her.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly fifty years, Joseph Francis Cole; brothers, FC Walston, Jr., Joseph Howard Walston, and Lonnie Perry Walston; and sisters, Katherine Walston Jones, and Sallie Walston White.

Laura is survived by two daughters, Gloria Cole Bolch and husband Jack, and Diane Cole Lyles; one son, Gary Blake Cole and wife Firuzan; one sister, Appie Walston Bolton of Fayetteville, NC; one brother, Leslie White Walston of Roxobel; and sister-in-law, Bettie Hall Walston of Roxobel; nine grandchildren, five great grandchildren; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life funeral service will be held Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 2:00 pm at the Rich Square Methodist Church with Rev. Michael Coppack and Rev Dusty Sprouse, officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the church fellowship hall, and burial will follow the funeral service at Cedar Lawn cemetery in Rich Square, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rich Square United Methodist Church, PO Box 312, Rich Square, NC 27869 or online by visiting www.tmcfunding.com/search fund then type Laura Cole.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Rich Square Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Cole family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.