Clara Cole

Clara Cole, age 86, departed this life and entered into eternal rest on Friday, November 13, 2020. Born Clara Nell Parsley, October 21, 1934 to Ray and Ada Austin Parsley in Moro, in Lee County, Arkansas, where she spent her childhood and was a graduate of the 1953 class of Moro High School. She had a twin brother, Robert.

She married Clifton Cole, a farmer in Lonoke in 1955. They were married for 59 years and had three sons. She was a homemaker and a very hard worker. She would do whatever was needed at the time. Even if she had to climb a tractor and plow a field. She loved pretty flowers and worked a big garden. Known as “Nanny” to the grandchildren and great-grands, she liked to sew, did lots of handiwork such as, quilting, crochet and embroidery.

She was a member of Steel Bridge Baptist Church since the late fifties. There, she taught Sunday school, was big in benevolence, worked in VBS or whatever else was need. She loved people and loved to help others.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and all three of her sons, Gary, Leland and Mark; granddaughter, Brittany Cole, sister and brother-in-law, Lois P Stewart and Thomas J Stewart; two brothers, Harold R. Parsley and Robert L Parsley; son-in-law, Bruce Harlan, Sr.

She leaves behind two sisters, Marilyn (Benny) Floyd and Lucille (John) Summar; step-daughter, Jeanne Cole Harlan; two daughters-in-law, Carolyn Cole and Debbie Cole; two sisters-in-law, Betty Parsley and Dean Palmer; grandchildren, Tiffany Cole Mills (Jeremy), Katie Fisher (Jacob), Lee Harlan (Katie), Garrett Harlan (April) Doug Harlan (Courtnee), Kelsey Harlan and Bru Harlan; great-grandkids, Roland “Rolo”, Marley Jo, Ellis, Margot, Cal, Kingston, Quinn, Kennedy, Jayden and Emma; two nieces and five nephews.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to everyone at Chambers Nursing Home in Carlisle.

Memorials may be made to the Kennedy Krieger Foundation at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 2:00 PM at Lonoke Cemetery. A visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 1:00 PM at the cemetery.