Obituary of Mother Minnie Pearl Cole

Minnie Pearl Cole was born on June 9, 1934 in Daleville, Mississippi, to the late Mr. Otto Hardy, Sr. and Mrs. Mable Hardy. She received her education from the Daleville School District. Mother Cole had several hobbies as a child. She even played basketball for her school. While in school, she met the love of her life, the late Elder Herbert Cole, Sr. Minnie and Herbert relocated to Camden, New Jersey, where the Lord blessed them with thirteen children. Upon relocating to Camden, she became a member of Gospel Temple Church of God in Christ on Mickle Street in Camden, New Jersey under the leadership of the late Elder Bush Sr. She surrendered her life to the Lord during a Holy Ghost Revival, conducted by the late Reverend Charles Giddens Sr. Mother Cole showed an exceptional ability to improvise with limited resources. She raised thirteen children, teaching them the importance of obtaining an education while stressing the necessity of living a godly lifestyle. Mother Cole not only pushed her children to excel in education and in the knowledge of the Lord, but she led by example in pursuing her GED while supporting her husband in raising their children to reverence and love the Lord. Mother Cole’s faith and love for her family eventually spread in the community in which she lived. Her motto was “If I have, you have”. Mother Cole’s home was a food pantry to her community and a safe place to have a meal without being judged. Her home was open to the destitute, the outcast, the poor and hungry. Her love for people had no bounds. The Lord blessed Mother Cole with a generous heart that enabled her to help anyone in need. Mother Cole’s love for people and ability to make people feel special opened up new opportunities for her. By taking care of neighborhood children in her own home, Mother Cole laid the foundation for a thriving child care center known as Little Minnie’s Daycare Center that currently provides services for over forty children in the city of Camden. Mother Cole’s love and care for children also opened up opportunities to share the gospel with families within her community. Mother Cole’s life was an example that one can “do all things through Christ who gives strength”. Mother Cole held multiple roles in her local, district, and state church. She was a leader who believed that “faith without works is dead”. In the local church, she supported her husband in the spirit of grace and commitment. Mother Cole was an organizer, a motivator and a visionary. She was tenacious in reaching goals that some would dare to think of. For over thirty years, Mother Cole faithfully served her local church as the chairlady of the Women’s Department. She was always excited about Annual Women’s Day and she would prepare one year in advance for her special day. Mother Cole also supported her husband in programs such as “Meeting the Need” (a program designed to feed and clothe the homeless) and “When I am Old Forget Me Not” (a program designed to remember senior citizens). She sponsored countless programs and events to ensure her local church was financially and spiritually strong. Mother Cole also served as the Hospitality president of New Jersey First Jurisdiction for over 30 years. People affectionately knew her as "Mrs. Hospitality". Mother Cole was an encourager, supporter, an amazing fashionista and undoubtedly one of the best cooks on this side of the earth. She specialized in many dishes, including her famous yams. She would spend countless hours cooking in the kitchen. It was very rare to see a recipe or cookbook in the Cole household, and if you were to visit, you were always in for a treat. Christmas and Thanksgiving gave her a chance to really show off her cooking abilities. Holidays at the Cole house overflowed with love, plenty of food, and her famous punch. Mother Cole was Saved, Sanctified and Holy Ghost filled and would not mind cutting a step when the Holy Ghost moved. Mother Cole will be greatly missed. Her husband, Elder Herbert Cole Sr., and two sons, Elder Herbert Cole Jr. and Louis Cole, preceded her in death. She leaves behind one brother: Earnest (Brandy) Hardy, three sons: Elder John Cole, Elder Jeremiah Cole, Sr. (Missionary Diana) and Elder Joshua Cole; eight daughters: Diane Jones (Angelo), Lisa Braxton (Elder Melvin), Missionary Pearl Birch (Joseph), Tanyitia (Tiecy) Cole Harrell (James), Tanishya (Niecy) Cole Williams, Missionary Georgiana Cole, and daughter-in-law: Evangelist Sylvia Cole. Mother Cole also leaves behind thirty one grandchildren, over twenty great-grandchildren, and a host of loving nieces (including a special niece, Tina Reed, who shared a common interest in fashion) nephews, dear friends and god children.