Mary Cole

Mary Elsie Stripling Cole, 94, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 21, 2020 at Kirkwood by the River in

Birmingham, AL. Mary Elsie was born February 21, 1926 to William Franklin and Essie Lawley Stripling.

Upon graduation from Howard College, Mary Elsie enjoyed a long and exceptional pharmacy career at the

Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Birmingham, AL. She had a passion for traveling and spent her youth

exploring tourist destinations all over the world. After years of adventure, Mary Elsie married WWII Marine

Corps Veteran Colin Jackson Cole on May 3,1998. They settled down in Jack’s hometown of Springville, AL

to enjoy retirement in their country log home. The Coles were members of Hullett Chapel Methodist Church

and enjoyed spending their days gardening, hiking, and reading. Mary Elsie was affectionately known as

‘Nina’ by her family and cherished her role as a nurturer to countless children throughout her life.

Mary Elsie will be remembered as a loving woman of God who always placed the wants and needs of others

ahead of her own. Until we see her again, we will strive to keep her memory alive by loving others the way

that she loved us.

Mary Elsie is preceded in death by her husband, Colin Jackson Cole; brothers Gordon Denver Stripling,

Huey Willard Stripling; sisters Helen Stripling Hilton, Billie Stripling Carper; and nephew William Russell

Hilton. She is survived by her nephews Cranston Steven Hilton, Jr., Michael Eugene Carper; nieces Teryl Ann

Stripling Prevost, Sharron Carper Tomlinson, Lisa Carper Moore; great nephews Cranston Steven Hilton, III,

William Russell Hilton, Jr., Kenneth Craig ‘Gabe' Hilton, Eric Prevost, Ethan Prevost, Winston Tyler

Tomlinson, Austin Owen Moore, William Chandler Moore; her great nieces Traci Hilton Breland, Rhonda

Hilton Fulfer, Robin Teresa Hilton, Audrey Moore Meadows, Mallory Ellyne Carper, and Layne Allison Carper;

and a host of great-great nephews and nieces.

The family will honor Mary Elsie's memory at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home on Saturday, June 27 at

10:00 AM. Serving as pallbearers will be John Wilson Meadows, Winston Tyler Tomlinson, Austin Owen

Moore, and William Chandler Moore.

While we mourn the loss of our precious Mary Elsie, we rejoice in her reunion with her beloved husband,

Jack, our Father in Heaven, and our Lord and Savior— Jesus Christ.

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26