Jessie Lunsford Cole

Jessie Lunsford Cole, 86, of Asheville, NC passed away Saturday, May 17, 2025.

Jessie was born January 22, 1939 in Madison County to the late Roy Sams and Sarah Lunsford Sams. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Fred Dale Cole.

Jessie was a member of Oak Forest Presbyterian Church where she also taught children’s classes.

Mrs. Cole was a retired school teacher with the Buncombe County School System. She was a graduate of Tusculum College with a Bachelor of Education Degree. After graduation, she taught at Pisgah Elementary School and went on to teach 3rd grade for over 30 years at Johnston Elementary School. She was also a Title I educator. During her teaching career she was once recognized as Buncombe County Teacher of the Year, and was also a member of the National Educator Association. Following her retirement, she and her late husband traveled to numerous Army reunions of Dale’s all over the United States. She had a love for travel and life, and also often traveled with her friends to many places including Alaska and Hawaii.

She is survived by her sister, Aileen Payne, of Marshall; nieces Deena Boles and Christy Rigsby; great-nephews, Chase Boles and Colby Arnett; great-nieces, Chelsea Franklin and Sarah Boles; and a great-great niece, Caysley Franklin.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21 in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home, with Pastor Skip Gillikan officiating. Burial will follow at Bowman Rector Cemetery, 1068 Skyway Drive, Marshall, NC.

The family will greet friends one hour prior to service, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Marshall Presbyterian Church (Flood Relief), Black Mountain Home for Children, or to the Alzheimer’s Association.