Margaret Ethel Payne Cole

Margaret Ethel (Payne) Cole, 87, of Arden, died Thursday, May 22, 2025 at Brookdale in Hendersonville.

Born in Buncombe County, she was the wife of the late Joe Cole, who died in 2014. She was the daughter of the late Harold Jones and Mary (Barnett) Payne. Margaret was also preceded in death by a brother, Butch Payne; a sister and her husband, Jean and Paul Peek; and a brother-in-law, Skip Gaines.
Margaret was a member of Biltmore Methodist Church.

She had a long, rewarding career working for the Henderson County Department of Social Services, later helping deliver Meals on Wheels. She loved trips to the beach, buying new shoes, taking her grandkids out for lunch, and never skipped dessert.

Margaret is survived by a son, Barry Cole; a daughter, Cameron Stepp and her husband, Darrin; two grandchildren: Slayde Stepp and Paisley Stepp; a sister, Carolyn Gaines; a sister-in-law, Helen Payne; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. Burial will follow at Calvary Episcopal Church Cemetery. Friends will be received one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.