June 7, 1934 – June 22, 2011

NATCHEZ — Services for Vernon Cole Jr., 77, of Natchez, who died Wednesday, June 22, 2011, at Natchez Regional Medical Center, will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Percy Turner officiating.

Burial will follow at the Cole Family Cemetery under the direction of Robert D. Mackel and Sons Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home with family hour from 7 to 8 p.m. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Friday at the church.

Mr. Cole was born June 7, 1934, in Cannonsburg, the son of Vernon Cole Sr. and Ella Cole. He spent most of his childhood in Cannonsburg before moving to Chicago, where he was employed by Rheem Manufacturing Company until he retired.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Hattie G. Edwards and Gertrude Cole.

Survivors include a beautiful, loving and dedicated wife, Versa Rae Cole; seven children, Helen Rankin and husband, Lenon, of Fayette, Darryl Cole, Carolyn Cole, Linda Cole, Cassandra Cole-Williams and husband, Ricky, and Vernon Cole III and wife, Kimberly, all of Chicago; and Tamara Haith and husband, Reginald, of Alexandria, La.; three guardian children, Teresita Dillard and husband, Edgar, of Hammond, Ind., Quinones Scott of Chicago and Charles Scott Jr. of Des Moines, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Tony, Angela, Alma, LaTasha, Cedric, Ariel, Talliyah and Aramis; four great-grandchildren, Ta’Kirrya, Anyah, Akira and Samori; six brothers, Joseph Cole Sr. and wife, Ruby, Terry Cole Sr. and wife, Raquel, and Biven Cole Sr. and wife, Beatrice, all of Natchez; Edward Cole and wife, Carolyn, of Jackson, Elvis Cole and wife, Shelia, of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Elvert Cole of Hattiesburg; four sisters, Lillie Huff and husband, Samuel, of Crete, Ill., Rosie Thomas and husband, Leon, of Natchez, Mamie Rankin and husband, Willie, of Fayette and Patricia Anderson of Jackson; two aunts, Anna Tenner of Natchez and Florence McCoy of Chicago; four sisters-in-law, Katie Ruth Dinelli and husband, Moraye, of Detroit, Betty M. Butler of Rowlett, Texas Rosanna Lenoir and Getta Singleton and husband, William, all of Natchez; and a number of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.