December 12, 1952 – February 21, 2023
Benjamin Cole, 70, departed this life on February 21, 2023, at his residence. Ben Cole as most addressed him was born December 12, 1952 to the late Estelle Reese Cole and Alexander Cole. He was also preceded in death by his twin Samuel Cole.
Ben Cole was educated in the Sussex Public School System but later journeyed to Job Corp., where he received his GED. He was employed at Brown & Williamson Tobacco Company until the factory relocating in the 1980’s. From there he also worked a number of odd jobs throughout the years.
He enjoyed cooking, cleaning, and eating. Ben Cole also loved to dress whenever he stepped out in his Stacey Adams. Most who met him enjoyed his company being known as the life of the party. He will be missed by many.
Benjamin Cole was preceded in death by his grandson, Omari Goode; brothers, Joseph “Bubba” Cole, William “Red Foley” Cole; sisters, Bertha Jackson, Thelma Williams; aunt, Hester Goode; nephew, Terrel Dillard; brothers-in-law, Earl Neverson, Sr. and Larry Dillard; sisters-in-law, Betty Cole and Jackie Cole; and his first ex-wife, Deborah Jean Pulley Cole.
Left to remember memories of him are his children, Latosha Cole (Marcus), Benjamin Lamont Cole (Dawn), Marcus Cole (Querida), Latoya Cole (Wesley), and Shanika Goode; brothers, James “Cool Breeze” Cole, Christopher “Lewis” Cole; sisters, Betty “Teenie” Neverson, Ida Mae Scott (Clarence), Rose “Tootie Pie” Jones (Herman), and Diane Dillard; grandchildren, Wanekwo Cole, Alexus Goode, Dejah Cole, Lataesia Cole, Teron Johnson, Kierra Cole, Leilah Goode, Sanaa Cole and Skyla Cole. Benjamin also is remembered by his many nieces, nephews, a few devoted, Carolyn Neverson Jefferson, Earl Neverson, Jr., Kimberly Raigns and Jeffrey “Pike” Cole; sisters-in-law, Valerie Pulley and his step-daughter who thought highly of him, Jeron Lee; cousin/his ride or die, James Harris and a special friend, Jennie Lee.
Services will be held 1:00 P.M., Friday, March 3, 2023 at the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Charles Davis, eulogist. The interment to follow at the Little Mount Baptist Church Cemetery.
J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.