Norma Cole of Winchester passed away at Alive Hospice in Murfreesboro on March 2nd at the age of 87.
Norma Frances Cole, a lifelong resident of Franklin County, was born July 4th, 1936, in Decherd, Tennessee, to the late William Richard “Pat” and Nellie Lois “Nell” Adcox Smythe. She grew up in the community of Sherwood, later moving to Sewanee with her family after the closing of Gager Lime, then eventually to Winchester, where she stayed for the rest of her life.
She was a 1954 graduate of Franklin County High School, and in 1957 Norma met Sidney Lewis Cole, and the two married in February of 1958 in the old Good Shepherd Church in Winchester, welcoming a daughter later that year.
She got her first job working at a dime store while still attending school. Right after graduating, she began working at Southern Bell (AT&T) as a switch operator, and later becoming a service representative, working in Winchester, Fayetteville, Shelbyville, Tullahoma, and later Huntsville, where she stayed until her retirement in 1991.
Norma was a longtime member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church and the definition of a true Christian woman. She was known for her kind and charismatic nature, and she was always there to lend a helping hand to both humans and animals. She always made sure to try and give to those who needed it. Everyone who knew her knew that they could always rely on her when they needed help.
Norma was a natural caretaker, gladly spending time caring for multiple people in their later years: her mother, Nell; her husband, Sid; and longtime family friend, Nancy Creson.
Norma will be fondly remembered by her many friends and family for her kindness, generosity, and sense of humor.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Pat & Nell Smythe; husband Sid Cole; sisters Lois Meeks and Shirley Isbill; godson, Leonardo Griffin; and special aunt and uncle, Lear & Tom Smythe.
She is survived by her daughter, Angela Denson of Winchester; granddaughters Olivia Cunningham of Winchester, and Lindsey (Anthony) Warren of New Brockton, AL; sisters Juanita Davis of Decherd and Carolyn Farris of Cowan; very beloved dog, Saint; and many friends, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, please do a kind thing for someone today. Donate to a charity or church, give someone something they need, or just spare some kind words. Follow the advice she once gave her youngest granddaughter: “Just be a good person and stay honest.”
Visitation will be from 1:30-3:30pm on Monday, March 4, 2024, at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. Funeral Services will follow at 3:30 pm in the Chapel of Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. Interment will be at Franklin Memorial Gardens.
Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, (931)-967-2222
