Fern Cole, age 97, passed away Monday, December 22, 2014, at Magnolia Square Nursing Center in Springfield, MO. She was born November 26, 1917 in Lawton, OK to William A. and Lottie L. (Savory) Justis. Fern was a lifelong Missourian, living in Springfield, Aurora, and Kimberling City. She was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ and Kimberling Hills Baptist Church.
Fern held many jobs throughout her life, and she was very proud to be the first female Meter Reader for the Springfield City Utilities. She was a medical secretary/office assistant for 13 years. During this time, Fern helped organize a Medical Secretaries group in Springfield. She was head of housekeeping at the Kimberling Inn, and was a policewoman for 6 years in Aurora, MO.
Fern loved the lake, her driftwood, as well as her flower and rock gardens. She was an avid square and round dancer, and she excelled at many different types of hand crafts. She also enjoyed language and learning new words along with their meanings.
She is preceded in death by her husband, M.L. “Jack” Cole; her parents, William A. and Lottie L. (Savory) Justis; a beloved step-brother, Vernie Meyer; and her sister, Bonnie Banning. She is survived by her daughter and son in-law, Conita and Russ Gaines; her son, Rex; her sister-in-law, June Meyer; her nephews’, Gene, Stephen, and James Meyer; her niece, Bonnie Jean; her very special friends, Dean and Debbie Willoughby and Jerry and Rikki Kelly; and many other family and friends.
For her Family and friends, Ferns’ spirit will remain with them forever.
Thank you to all those at Magnolia Square Nursing Center for their gentle care during her many years there, as well as a huge thanks to Greenlawn Funeral Home South for their gentle care. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 5, 2015 at Greenlawn Funeral Home South with visitation one hour prior to service.Burial will be at a later date. She will be laid to rest in the National Cemetery next to her husband, M.L. “Jack” Cole.