Billie Jean “BJ” Cole
August 5, 1943 – December 12, 2022
She was a leading beautician for over 55 years in Okolona. She knew everyone and was loved by all. Billie Jean, known far and wide simply as BJ Cole, departed this life on December 12, 2022, for her home in eternity from North Miss. Medical Center Emergency Room in Tupelo after a 3 month illness. Born August 5, l943 in the Troy Community of Pontotoc County, BJ was the oldest daughter of George William Jamison, Jr. and Dorothy Jean Inmon Jamison. She grew up in the Troy area and graduated from Algoma High School. She later was licensed as a cosmetologist after successfully completing her beautician training at Aberdeen School of Cosmetology. She was the widow of George Jerry Cole who died Aug. 8, 1993. BJ’s beauty salon was a fixture in Okolona. Her customers loved her whimsical ways, her well spun yarns and her knowledge of Okolona history and all the people who made Okolona their home. She was tenacious, often bull headed but was a wonderfully independent woman who made her own way in the world and the world was better for her living in it. BJ celebrated all things good in Okolona, would lend a helping hand to anyone and grieved with her friends when misfortune happened. She was the resident beautician at Shearer Richardson Nursing Home in Okolona for years. BJ attended the First Baptist Church of Okolona for years but was a member at Shiloh Baptist Church in the Davis Lake area of Chickasaw County early in life and at her death. Farewell our beloved friend BJ! We will share the joy of your friendship all our lives.
A service celebrating her life will be held at 3 PM Friday, December 16, 2022 from Shiloh Baptist Church (1089 CR 413, Houlka, MS. 38850 with her brother in law, Dr. Roger Stacy officiating assisted by her pastor, Bro. Brian Thrasher. Burial will follow in the Jamison family plot at Halsell Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 PM-3PM Friday only at the Church. Holland Funeral Directors, Okolona is honored to be serving their friends.
BJ is survived by her two sons, Jerry Allen Cole of the Troy Community and Mark Cole, a resident of the Group Homes in Ellisville, Ms.; 2 grandchildren, Amanda Ward (Gerald) of Okolona and Daycie Cole of Troy; 1 great grandchild, Mason Ward; 1 sister, Penny Stacy (Roger) of New Albany and three brothers, Bryan Jamison, Sr. and Jackie Jamison (Yolanda) all of Troy and Tim Jamison of the Egypt Community. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Dorothy Jamison and her husband, Jerry Cole .
Memorials may be made to the Shiloh Baptist Church, 1089 CR 413, Houlka, MS. 38850.
