Betty Jean Cole

Betty Jean (Harris) Cole, 90, former longtime Mooresville resident, passed away July 8, 2021, after a lengthy illness. Mrs. Cole was born January 9, 1931, in Russell Springs, Kentucky, to the late March and Naomia (McDonald) Harris.

“Betty Cole” as she was known by many, was raised on the family farm in Kentucky. In the 1940s the family relocated to Stockwell, Indiana. She met and married her husband Bill in Lafayette in 1952. Betty and Bill moved to Mooresville in 1956. They remained in the Mooresville/ Plainfield area and raised three children. Betty completed cosmetology school while Bill completed his degree at Purdue. She operated a beauty shop on Clay Street in Mooresville for many years and carried her scissors at all times. Betty was a strong, talented woman who gardened both flowers and vegetables to feed the family. Canning and freezing vegetables was an annual summer activity. Betty’s kitchen table was the gathering place of family and friends. You never left it hungry! She remodeled the house when necessary, mowed the “5 acres” and shuttled kids to after school activities. Betty was a reader, bird watcher and a sewing crafter. All of the kids and grandkids received crocheted and quilted blankets from Grandma Betty. There were many children who had leaf collections for school from Betty Cole’s yard. Later in life, she picked up painting and she was good at it too! Betty Cole was a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. All of those titles meant the world to her.
The family gives thanks for caregivers, Cheryl, Julianne, Cumberland Trace in Plainfield, and North Woods Village and Eleos Hospice Care staffs of Ft. Wayne, who provided so much love and support during Betty’s final years.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband of more than 50 years, William R. “Bill” Cole; son, Scott W. Cole; brother, John.

Survivors include her children, Phillip N. Cole, Bruce R. (Lisa) Cole, Susann (Paul) Thompson; grandchildren, Jesse N. Cole, Morgan H. Cole, and Mason J. Cole; great grandson, Camden Cole; brothers, Jimmie, Winston, and Wendell Harris; sisters, Dell Wise, Jacquelyn Morris, Judy (Dick) Luttrell; brother-in-law, Harvey (Linda) Cole; sister-in-law, Arlene (Jim) Boes; a host of nieces and nephews; special friends for more than 60 years, Barbara Blair, Della Jean Gunnell, and Barbara Carroll.

Betty Cole’s Life Celebration® visitation will be held Sunday, July 11, 2021, 1 to 3 p.m., at the Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. A graveside service will follow at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, at White Lick Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to City of Hope (who lovingly cared for the late Scott Cole many years ago), https://www.cityofhope.org/. Visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.

Betty thought the world of you all. She stayed as long as she could and we will miss her every day. Thank you Betty Cole for all you gave us. Go in peace and love.