Julia Annette (Pesterfield) Cole died December 27th, 2022 at St. John Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was born April 21, 1931 in Ozark, Arkansas, the daughter of Annie Leo Wade Pesterfield and William Harvey Pesterfield.
Annette graduated from Ozark High School, Class of 1949. During her senior year she married Charles Gene Cole. While finishing High School her husband, Gene served a short stint in the Army. After graduation she joined him in Georgia.
After his military service they moved to Wagoner, Oklahoma where they started their family. They were charter members of Emmanual Baptist Church.
In 1971 they moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. They were active at Sheridan Road Baptist Church. She served various roles in the church: nursery, preschool, and sang in the choir.
She worked for JC Penney for 21 years. She began working in the Fabric Department and worked her way up to manager of the Stock Room. She was so valued by the JC Penney Company they allowed her to cut the ribbon at the opening of their new store in the Eastland Mall.
In 1980 they built their forever home in Verdigris, Oklahoma and became active members of the First Baptist Church of Verdigris. She remained a member until her death.
After retiring in 1989 she and Gene began serving with the Oklahoma Baptist Builders. Together they remodeled or built over 150 church buildings, missionary apartments in Japan, parsonages, church camp buildings and other church related buildings. While the men worked she and many of the other wives prepared meals and worked with crafts.
She loved crocheting blankets for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also loved sewing, reading, and crafting. She especially enjoyed collecting Precious Moments figurines.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 64 years, Charles Gene Cole, and a daughter, Julia Ann Cole. She was an amazing caregiver for her husband and daughter during their extended illnesses.
She is survived by a son Don Cole and his wife Sharon of Verdigris, Oklahoma, a son Randy Cole and his wife Carman of Tulsa, Oklahoma, a daughter, Beth Cole Poole and her husband Charley of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren Jeremy (Ella), Jason (Amber), Jennifer (Roderick), Justin (Jessica), Jared (Maria), Tyler (Kara), Scott (Erin) and Melissa (Ryan) and 23 great-grandchildren.
At the age of 21 while preparing her Sunday School lesson for 13 year old girls she realized she had never become a Christian. She bowed her head, prayed and received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.
At 7:02 pm on December 27th, 2022 she heard Jesus say, “Well done my good and faithful servant. Welcome home.”
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