Columbia Cole

Columbia Jane Cole, 90, of Pilot Grove, died Sunday, May 2, 2010, at The Arbors of Bluff Creek Alzheimer's Assisted Living, Columbia. Columbia Jane Cook was born September 26, 1919, in Sedalia, to Frederick Harvey Cook and Emma Boggs Herndon and grew up on the family farm in Beaman. On October 22, 1944, she married Leslie Carl Cole at the Fifth Street Methodist Church in Sedalia. They lived in Cooper County on their grain and livestock farm, the Circle C Charolais Ranch. They raised registered purebred Charolais cattle, mule colts and gaited horses as well as showing Tennessee walking horses. He preceded her in death on August 28, 1994. Columbia Jane graduated from Smithton High School with the Class of 1937. She attended Central Business College in Sedalia and then worked at the Pettis County Extension Office. She was a Pettis County Music Supervisor from 1940 to 1944, traveling to 26 county schools, teaching school music and giving private music lessons. For many years, she was accompanist for the Bunceton School music department, playing for music contests and programs, as well as community events. She was also an active member of PTA and Band Mothers at the Bunceton School. For more than 40 years, Columbia Jane was organist and pianist for the Bunceton Federated Church where she planned, organized and played for Christmas and Easter programs, Sunday School and Bible School and for numerous weddings and funerals. She was a 4-H leader, secretary of the Church Women's Society, and a member of the Bunceton Bridle and Saddle Club. Columbia Jane is survived by two daughters, Marianne Cole Fues and husband Don of Columbia, Nancy Jane Cole-Crawford and husband Preston of Indianapolis; two grandchildren, Jennifer Fues Sage and husband John of Boston, Michael Fues and wife Amanda of Columbia; three great-grandchildren, Jacob Fues of Columbia, Eliza and Colin Sage of Boston. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Dora Margaret Cole of Pilot Grove; two nieces, Carolyn Eichelberger of Pilot Grove and Polly Smith of Kansas City; and many cousins. Visitation will be Friday, May 7, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the William Woods Funeral Home in Boonville. Services will be Saturday, May 8, at 1:30 p.m. at the Bunceton Federated Church in Bunceton, with the Rev. Scott Erlich and the Rev. Greg Robinson officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Sedalia. The family suggests memorials to the Bunceton Federated Church c/o William Wood Funeral Home, 517 Fourth Street, Boonville, Missouri 65233. On-line condolences to the family can be left at www.thacherwood.com.