Thomas Eugene "Gene" Cole

Asheville Thomas Eugene Cole, 76, of 26 Creekside Drive passed away Saturday, January 21, 2006 at the Memorial Campus of the Mission Hospital System following a short illness. A native of Buncombe County, Mr. Cole had resided in McDowell County for 25 years before returning to Buncombe County in the 1950s. Following retirement from Sayles - Biltmore Bleacheries in December 1991 after 17 years of service, he worked with Belks Department Store. He was the son of the late Lonnie Vance and Pauline Connie Burnette Cole. He was also preceded in death by two sisters: Hazel Proctor and Joyce Woodby. Surviving are his wife of 31 years, Geneva Ledford Cole, whom he married November 15, 1974; two sons: Dennis Cole of Houston, TX and Darrell Cole and wife Dalit of Browns Mills, NJ; step-son, Roger Dale Mathis and wife Cheryl of Asheville; sister, Judy Sepela of Shamokin, PA; three brothers: Dean Cole of Willingboro, NJ, Ray Cole of Woodfin, and Wayne Cole of Marion; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held at 11 AM Tuesday at Green Hills Cemetery, with the Rev. Tommy Hutchins officiating. The family will receive friends from 7-8 PM Monday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home.