Obituary of Joyce Cole

Joyce Cole, 95, of Walton, KY, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 16, 2023, at the Seasons of Alexandria in Alexandria, KY. Joyce was born August 4, 1928, in Harriman, TN to the late George McKinley and Sarah Katherine (nee: Ballew) Trout. The daughter of a Southern Baptist minister met a handsome athlete at Georgetown College and chose to marry him as he planned to be a teacher and basketball coach.  He, too, was the son of a minister and after a stint in the Air Force he felt the call to become a minister. It seems Joyce was destined to be the wife of a minister. She loved this role and played it very well, often prodding Kenneth with the names and detailed family information of past parishioners. She served as secretary for the Elkhorn Baptist Association and as church secretary in several of their pastorates. Upon retiring, she and Ken pursued one of their passions - traveling to Europe, Canada, and the eastern part of the USA. Joyce loved British history and Shakespeare and thoroughly enjoyed visiting England and the Shakespeare festivals in Canada.  Many evenings she traveled from her favorite living room chair with British TV comedies, dramas, mysteries, and travel shows. Even though she customarily presented a presence of appropriateness, she had a wild sense of humor that would unexpectedly pop out to the delight of her family and friends.  She loved her husband with a passion and devotion that you often find only in novels and in the movies. She guided her children with a fierce love, and absolutely adored being Grammy to her beloved grandchildren. She leaves a legacy of love of God, love of music, some of the best pies ever made and a deep sense of kindness for all she met. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Kenneth R. Cole and sister, Helen Francis Estes. She is survived by her loving children, Carol Cole, Steven (Marybeth) Cole, David Cole, and Glenn (Kelly) Cole. Joyce also leaves behind her grandchildren, Caitlin Stockham, Hannah Orsag, McKinley Wagner, Sarah Cole, Quentin Cole, and 4 great grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, from 5:00PM to 8:00PM at First Baptist Church Walton, 47 S. Main St., Walton, KY 41094. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, 10:00AM at First Baptist Church Walton with burial to follow at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North, Williamstown, KY. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association ( https://www.alz.org/cincinnati) To share a memory of Joyce or to leave an online condolence, please visit the tribute wall above.