James Cromwell Cole

james cole

March 2, 1932 ~ November 7, 2019

Born in: Buncombe County, NC
Resided in: Leicester, NC

James Cromwell Cole, 87, passed away Thursday, November 7, 2019, at CarePartners Solace Center.

Mr. Cole was a lifelong resident of Leicester and was a son of the late Chester Arlington and Jimmie Mae Hall Cole. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, the love of his life, Nancy Louise Smith Cole, who died in February of this year, and by sisters, Clara Dean Smathers and Joyce Cole Melton.

Crom served with the US Navy in Japan for four years during the Korean War. He was retired after 34 years as a rural letter carrier with the US Postal Service and he was past president of the Smoky Mountain District of N.R.L.C.A. He also served as the Democrat Precinct Chair of his precinct for more than 10 years.

Mr. Cole was a member of Cedar Hill Free Will Baptist Church where he served as Deacon, Sunday school teacher and music director.

Surviving are three daughters, Cynthia Cole Todd (Nathan), Mavis Cole Braswell and Beth Cole Smith; a son, Rex Cole (Jackie); grandchildren, Logan, Brody, Rachel, Nolan, Luke, Sean and Jacob; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Jerry Cole (Joann); a sister-in-law, Frankie Davis (Clyde), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Revs. Roger Boone, Bobby Smith and Bud Fish officiating. Burial will follow at Grace United Methodist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue.

Services

Funeral Service: November 11, 2019 2:00 pm

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

Visitation: November 10, 2019 6:00 pm - March 28, 2024 8:00 pm

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

Burial: November 11, 2019 3:00 pm

Grace United Methodist Church Cemetery
Newfound Road
Leicester, NC 28748

828-252-3535

Navy Veteran

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. I am so very sorry for the loss of your Daddy’s presence in this life. I know your hearts are broken and it is so hard to take the loss of another parent so soon. It’s just so hard to go through this time, whenever it happens. My prayers for you all as you go through this painful time and may your warm memories give you peace over the coming years.

  2. Mr. Cole was one of the nicest and most friendly person I knew. He never missed a chance to stop and speak. I loved to hear them sing the lovely hymns. He will be missed, as he was “one of a kind”. He leaves great memories for those who knew him. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends during this time of grief.

  3. Beth and family:
    Your dad will be missed our prayers are with you all May God comfort you and keep y’all!

  4. Crom will forever be a name associated with Newfound and the Leicester community. He was always the same wherever you met him. I will always think of him running Newfound Grocery from the time we moved there in the late 1950’s. He was a friend and a good neighbor who helped a lot of people. When he started delivering the mail he wasn’t just the mailman but he took time to make sure his customers were all right. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of his family and friends.

  5. I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Cole was our mail carrier for many years. Such a sweet and kind man. He would always stop and speak, whether at the mailbox or out somewhere. Praying our awesome God will give his family the peace and comfort that only He can.

  6. So sorry for the loss of you father. I always enjoyed speaking to him every Sunday and seeing his smile. I really enjoyed making him chicken pot pies. He is home now singing and visiting with his love ones. Praying for the family during this difficult time.

  7. We knew Crom for many years. He has touched many people over the years. Our prayer for the family is that The God of all comfort will touch each of you and remind you that “Joy cometh in the morning”

  8. We will surely miss James as we do Nancy as they were both very loving and special in our lives. Their beautiful voices will be missed and remembered with love. Our love and prayers for Cynthia, Mavis, Rex and Beth and their families. We know your hearts are breaking but just know that your Mom and Dad are together in Heaven and are at Peace. We Love you all…

  9. Rex and family we are so sorry for your loss but praise God for his going home he wanted to go to see his Lord and wife he was a wonderful man rest in peace Mr Cole

  10. I have known Crom and his family for many decades, even though we hadn’t seen him in years. Most vividly are my memories of Crom when he ran the grocery store at Hooker’s Gap Road and Newfound Road. Crom was a good Christian man and he will be sorely missed, but I cannot help but think how he and Nancy may be rejoicing now together. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family for this loss and are praying for you all.

  11. To the Cole family, Our deepest condolences are extended to each one of you. Praying that God will give you strength and comfort in the days to come.

    Phil and Joyce Evans

  12. To Crom’s family,
    Our deepest sympathy to all of you. Crom was a fine Christian man. Always so friendly & asking how all the family was doing. He was our mail-carrier for years. He never got in a hurry & would always take time to talk & visit with our parents. He was always so kind & showing care & concern to everyone he met. He will be greatly missed but we all know where he is. Cherish your memories. Again our condolences.

  13. So sorry to hear of your loss. He was loved by everyone who came in contact with him. Chiildren, know our hearts break for you. We all know where your Mon and Dad are. What a wonderful family Just do not have the words to express how to say how thankful we are to have known your wonderful parents. May God be with you.

  14. Mavis and Cynthia, our hearts are with you at this time of sadness, but joy in knowing he’s in a better place. Our prayers are with you and your family. Pam and Gabriel Cruz

  15. Praying for God to give all of you comfort as only He can, and be rest assured we will meet again. Love you, Bonnie

  16. Be assured of our prayers that God’s comfort and peace will be there for each of you. Sorry that we are out-of-town and unable to attend the service. God bless! Ronnie and Nancy Owen

  17. Beth and family, we are so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. We got to know him when he was out mail carrier. Always the same no matter where you saw him. He will truly be missed in our community. God Bless the family on this day and the days ahead.

  18. TO THE FAMILY OF CROM COLE, SO SORRY,PRAYERS FOR ALL. A WONDERFUL FRIEND .NOW REST IN PEACE WITH NANCY AND MOSTLY WITH OUR LORD JUANITA TEAGUE BLANKENSHIP AND FAMILY

  19. Dear Family,
    I know your hearts are grieving. It is always hard for the last parent to leave our presence. May God hold each of you close and whisper comfort and peace to your souls. What a blessing that we know we will see him and your sweet mom again.


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