Gaynelle “Gayle” Cole, 77, of Elizabethton, Tenn., went home to be with the Lord on Monday, September 2, 2019, after a long battle with cancer. Gayle was born in Pilgrims Knob, Va., to the late Crocket and Virgie Munsey Rife. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harles “John” Cole, and her brother, Cecil Rife.
Gayle was beside John’s side as he served in the United States Air Force for over 30 years. Gayle was proud to be an American as she traveled the world. She traveled to all seven continents and almost all of the United States. Gayle loved to tell stories of her travels such as how she almost stepped on a penguin while hiking in Antarctica or how she hugged a koala bear in Australia. Gayle’s talents were many. She was an extremely accomplished seamstress, gardener, cook, a beloved wife, mother and grandmother. Gayle lived her life as a Christian being a member of Grace Baptist Church in Elizabethton.
Those left to cherish her memory include her brother, Roy Rife and his wife Ruby; her two daughters, Donna and Pam, Pam’s husband Ross, and their three children, Adam, Marissa and Evan; her brother-in-law, Franklin Cole and his wife Jeanna; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service to honor the life of Gayle Cole will be conducted at 7 p.m. Thursday, September 5, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Pastor Travis Tyler and Rev. Ron Owens officiating. Music will be provided by Rev. Chris and Tonya Hughes. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday, prior to the service. The graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, September 6, at the Crocket Rife Family Cemetery in Pilgrims Knob, Va. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Roy Rife, Todd and Shawn Rife. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, at 9 a.m. Friday to go in procession. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com
Gayle and her family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Service Information Line: (423) 543-4917.