Mrs. Jeraline Gatewood Cole Obituary in Wadesbaro at Smith's Funeral Home

Obituary For Mrs. Jeraline Gatewood Cole

Mrs. Jeraline Gatwood Cole, 87, was born June 22, 1934 in Wadesboro, North Carolina to Daniel (Danny) Hugh Gatewood and Charlie Bell (Lea) Gatewood. On February 2, 2022, she departed this life in Lilesville, North Carolina, with her loving daughters at her side.

Jeraline, fondly know as Jerry, Jerald, Mrs. Cole, and Granma, was a woman of great FAITH. She loved God and loved people no matter their walk of life. She didn’t just talk about this Christ walk; she walked it as well! Jeraline was one class act! She enjoyed MUSIC, education, and treating everyone like SOMEBODY! She never met a stranger and loved to see young people succeed. As a young widow, she instilled in her children to be the best they could be. As a product, they all graduated and received bachelor’s degrees in Information Systems, Business Administration, and Nursing from various universities.

She was united in holy matrimony in 1963 to Joseph D. Bunting, Sr., until his death in 1963. Together they had one son, Joseph D. Bunting, Jr. (Chip). In 1965, she remarried and was joined in holy matrimony to Miner (Minus) Cole for 14 years. Together they had two daughters, Lisa Jean and Claretta. She and Minus raised their family in Badin, NC, where she was a faithful member of McDonald AME Zion Church. She served as Choir Director for the Youth, Senior, and Gospel Choirs and the church’s Director of the National Christian Youth Council for the Concord District. But quite often, when service was over at McDonald, she would take her children around the corner to First Baptist Church for their services. And when that service was over, she would take them across the street to Saint Luke Holiness Church just in time to enjoy the sermon there.

In 1971, the family moved back to Jeraline’s hometown of Lilesville. Minus didn’t want her driving from Badin to Wadesboro every day for work. So, they moved to a patch of land Jeraline purchased with money from her first teaching job at Leak Street School in Rockingham, NC. Here they eventually built their home and raised their children. Jeraline was a member of Parsons Grove Missionary Baptist Church, where she worked faithfully in many areas. She was choir director, musician, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School Coordinator, Women’s Missionary Home Society member, and church mother.

Jeraline attended Henry Grove School in Lilesville, North Carolina, and graduated Valedictorian of her class. She later attended North Carolina Central University, where she received Bachelor of Science degrees in Library Science and Health Education and a Masters in Fine Arts degree. After working in the Richmond and Anson County school systems as a school librarian, teacher, and media coordinator, she later received a Masters in Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Jeraline was President of the North Carolina Retired School Personnel for Anson County, a charter member of Anson County’s Smart Start Program (serving as Board Chair from 1996-2002), Board Member of the State Employees Credit Union, President of Women in Action, President of the Zion Baptist Association, and a member of The Book Club. She was one of the first African American women to become principal in Anson County, where she was principal of Peachland-Polkton Elementary School. Because of her love for children, her family was never surprised when they found a stranger eating at their dinner table or accompanying Jeraline to the beauty salon for a free hairdo as if they were a part of the family. Jeraline taught piano lessons for many years and worked in the Anson County School System for 30 years. She decided to retire after learning that she would be a grandmother. How excited she was to become a grandmother! Her grandchildren were the apples of her eye! When they walked into the room, her eyes would light up, even during her illness.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Danny and Charlie Bell Gatewood, and husband, Miner Cole. We, her children, will love her and cherish her memories forever: daughters, Lisa (Tarrence) Graves of the home, Claretta (Richard) Little of Wadesboro, NC, son, Joseph D. Bunting, Jr. of Columbus, Ohio, sister, Willie Bennett of Fayetteville, NC and brother, Henry (Margaret) Gatewood of Baltimore, Maryland. Three loving grandchildren: Brannon Little of Greensboro, NC, Makayla Little of Wadesboro, NC and Camryn Bunting-Dorr of Westerville, Ohio. Four great-grandchildren, Brayden, Malayah, Nola, and Ashton. God-Daughter, Kristen (Robert) Mims of Morven, NC and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

We offer special thanks to her primary caregiver, Mae Richardson, and to Mel Little, Mary Jean Sawyer, Tabitha Kersey, Daisy Allen, Diane Carelock and Community Home Care and Hospice.

We give God the glory for blessing us with such a prominent and remarkable WOMAN OF GOD.

The Services to Celebrate and Honor the Life and Contributions of Mrs. Cole will be on Sunday, February 6, 2022, 2:00pm, Parsons Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Lilesville, North Carolina. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The Cole Family will greet family and friends on Sunday, February 6, 2022 from 1:30-2:00pm at Parsons Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

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LOVE & PRAYERS, Mark & Janet

Our lives have been enriched having known this wonderful, spiritual, educator. Elder Larry W. Cole, Sr.

It is with great sadness we send the Cole family our deepest sympathies. May Gods strength and love comfort you. Valerie & Douglas Allen

What an awesome lady! I remember the first time Uncle Minus brought her to Melton and Mildred Davis's house one Sunday after service at MacDonald Chapel Church. Aunt Jeraline loved music and playing for the Gospel Choir. She enjoyed working with the youth in the community, a motivator, listener, wonderful mother, grandmother and of course a Child of God . She will definetily be missed.

The Gatewood/Cole Family: What a gifted EDUCATOR!! What a gifted EDUCATOR!! To our GOD be the Glory. Gilbert McRae, Charlotte, NC

My condolences to the family of Mrs. Jeraline Cole. Mrs. Cole and Mrs. D.C. Bennett helped to build my love of reading. Rest in peace and enjoy your rest. Linda Smith

We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother, Mrs. Jeraline Gatewood Cole. Our sincerest condolences to the family. Mrs. Cole was such a beautiful and kind person who always greeted every soul with a smile. She was a source of strength, love, and hope for so many. We pray that God's peace, which surpasses all understanding, continues to comfort each of you and every life she touched on God's earth.
With Sympathy,
Delia Ann Little of Raleigh, NC & The Little Family of the Gatewood Station Community

My thoughts and sympathy are with you and family. Claudette Covington, Rockingham

Ms.Cole poured gems into our children as their Children's choir director. Our thought and prayer are with the family in their time of grief. Mr.&Mrs.James Flowers

Condolences to the family from Carolyn Rosebud & family.

Very sweet and Humble, my condolences 💐 go out to the family, 💕

Condolences to this beautiful family 💕love is a multitude that she shared with everyone. She was a joy in my life. May God continue to carry and cover her family. Love 💕 Carolyn Rosebud &family!

To the Cole Family I send my sincerest sympathy. We lived across the street from each other when she first moved to Badin. She encouraged and inspired me in my new marriage. She assured me I would make it and we often laughed about it when I showed her I succeeded as she predicted. She was a bright light in my life. She was a good woman. Betty Bennett Evans

Sending prayers 🙏 to the family. Edward and Leevonda Simon

Words cannot fully express how saddened we are about the passing of such an amazing community leader who was so loved and cherished. Growing up with her as my piano teacher, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Easter Play/Christmas Play Coordinator, Children's Choir leader/organist, etc. are all memories that I'll forever cherish! Praying for God's peace and mercy to cover the family during this very difficult time. 🙏🏾💕 Bridgett Byrd Sellars and Terrence Sellars

"Well Done thy Good and Faithful Servant!" Enter into the Joys of the Lord!" Prayers are extended to the Family during your season of Bereavement! Bertha K.Hardin

I stayed with Mrs. Cole many years ago. Her sweetness and kind words of direction were very inspiring. I don't think I would have made it in such pleasantness had it not been for her and her family. Thank God for women of God like her. Stephanie Lewis

To the Cole my sincere condolences to the family. We have many fond memories of Mrs. Cole and her interaction with our family members. She was a lovely person with so much of a caring personality. She will be surely missed

I send my sincere condolences to the Cole and Gatewood families. Jeraline had a sweet assuring spirit. She was always there to inspire and encourage when needed. Clara B.Cole

Prayer for the family

I send my sincere condolences to the Cole and Gatewood families. Jeraline had a sweet assuring spirit. She was always there to inspire and encourage when needed.

DEATH LEAVES HEARTACHE NO ONE CAN HEAL. MEMORIES ARE TREASURES NO ONE CAN STEAL . SOME MAY FORGET YOU NOW THAT YOU ARE GONE. BUT WE WILL REMEMBER NO MATTER HOW LONG .YOU WILL ALWAYS STAY LOVED AND REMEMBER , IN EVERY WAY . NO TEARS , NO VERSE .CAN EVER SAY HOW MUCH WE MISS YOU EVERY DAY . BRO :ERNEST PEGUES & FAMILY

Sending my condolences to the Cole family may God comfort you all during this time of sorrow 🙏🙏🙏 Angela and Ivan Ledbetter

Sending your family sympathy and prayers.

Remembering Mrs Cole as an encouraging,sweet lady. She made me feel very welcome in Anson County. Sending prayers and sympathy. Mary Wilder Roberts

My condolences to the family Heaven has gain a beautiful Jewel

Sending my heartfelt condolences Demittress Nelson

Such a beautiful woman with such a sweet spirit!! Will definitely keep the family in prayer!🙏🏾

A very sweet and wise woman of God who was once my principal

Mrs. Cole was a beautiful and wise lady. I will always remember her words of wisdom she shared with me in the library at Wadesboro Middle School. I learned some significant life lessons from her. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. 🙏🏾 Erica Melton Suber