Vallera "Val" Cole

Vallera Joan “Val” Cole of Albany, GA, was born on November 30, 1935, in New Castle, PA. She passed away June 5, 2024. She was a kind and loving mother and grandmother (“Nunny”) who was always willing to help family and friends. She was a member of St. Teresa’s Catholic Church. After graduating from New Castle High School, Mrs. Cole worked as a waitress while she attended secretarial school. When she and her husband Dick moved to Maryland, she worked for Western Union to support them while he was in school. She transferred her position to Albany when they moved to Georgia. Val left the workforce when they adopted their children. She later returned to work as an order checker at Moore Business Forms. She retired from Moore and worked part time as a courier for Albany Transcription Service until she retired. Mrs. Cole learned to swim as a teen and enjoyed swimming laps at Tony’s Gym and the YMCA until about 10 years ago. She also played on company softball and volleyball teams when she was younger. When she retired, she enjoyed being part of a ladies bowling league in the morning and a mixed league with her husband in the evening. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and family on business trips and vacations; her favorite place to visit was the beach. They went to the beach as often as they could. She enjoyed entertaining family and friends in her home, home decorating, and shopping. Mrs. Cole was an avid reader and would read at least one book every week. Mrs. Cole was a member of the Elks and Moose Lodges. She and Dick enjoyed dinners at the clubs as well as the bands and parties thrown for the members. She was a convert to the Catholic faith and joined St. Teresa’s when she moved to Albany. She and the family used to serve as greeters at Mass on Sundays. Mrs. Cole was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Richard Cole; her parents, Frank and Mildred Cartwright; and one sister, Barbara Pearson. She is survived by her children, Kathy Hardison of Leesburg, GA (Tom) and Brian Cole of Johns Creek (Karen); his grandchildren, Trey Hardison of San Antonio, TX (Ellison); Angie Hardison of Leesburg; and Owen Cole of Johns Creek; great-grandchildren, Henry and Ellie Kate Hardison of San Antonio; her sister, Debbie Falix (Kennett Square, PA); and a host of nieces and nephews and extended family in Pennsylvania as well as many friends around the world and in the Albany area. The family will receive friends at Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Home for a wake service on Friday, June 7, at 6:00 P.M. The funeral Mass will be held at St. Teresa’s on Saturday, June 8, at noon with interment to follow. Memorial donations may be made to St. Teresa’s Catholic School, 417 Edgewood Ln., Albany, GA 31707; or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (online).

Vallera "Val" Cole

November 30, 1935 - June 5, 2024