Jane Slemp Cole

Jane Slemp Cole, age 93, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 9, 2023 after a long illness. Jane was born in Dryden, VA, to the late Luther and Marie Slemp. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Vivian Slemp and James Slemp, and sisters Betty Herington, Mildred Costakes, Doris Inabnitt, and June Stallard.

Jane met the love of her life, Melville Cole, and made their home in the Lynn Valley community where they were happily married for 69 years before he preceded her in death in 2020. She is survived by two daughters, Vickie Ford (Harry) and Retha Patton (Keith), two grandchildren, Luke and Laura Patton, and several nieces and nephews.

Jane retired from North American Beaunit Rayon Corporation in 1976 after a lengthy secretarial career; she also had worked at the Johnson City Eye Hospital. She was a Christian and loved the Lord, and was a charter member of Unaka Baptist Church in 1955. She was most recently a devoted member of First Baptist Church, Elizabethton, and had served as Church Clerk and WMU Director. Christian missions were an important part of her life, and she had gone on several mission trips to Townsend, New Orleans, Prince Edward Island, and Venezuela. After retirement, they bought an RV and she loved to go camping and fishing at Roan Mountain and the Smoky Mountains, where she never met a stranger and therefore made friends from all over the country. She loved to travel and was blessed to be able to visit all 50 states. Jane also loved being a grandmother to Luke and Laura, always spending quality time with them and taking them on vacations and watching them play various sports. Jane also followed Melville to Unaka Rangers sporting events, and was a regular fan in the stands.

Friends may visit between the hours of 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Monday, February 13, 2023 at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, to pay their respect and sign the register book or at the residence of a daughter, Vickie Ford at other times.

A celebration of life service will begin after visitation hours at 7:00 pm on Monday at the Tetrick Funeral Home chapel, with Pastor Todd Hallman officiating. Music will be provided by Sheila Vaught and Charles Berry.

The graveside service and interment will be conducted at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Larry Grindstaff, Jordan Bishop, Charles Hollowell, James Slemp, Mike Cole and Luke Patton. Everyone will meet at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton at 10:15 to go in procession to the cemetery.

The family requests that no flowers be sent, rather donations be sent to First Baptist Church Senior Bus Fund, 212 East F Street, Elizabethton, TN, 37643.

The family would especially like to thank the wonderful staff of Sycamore Springs Assisted Living and Ivy Hall Nursing Home for their excellent care shown to Jane during her stay there. An additional thank you to Kathy and Shannon at Silver Angels for their loving care given to Jane in recent years.