Obituary of Deborah Lucy Cole

Debbie “Nana” Cole, 89, of Columbia, South Carolina passed away February 25, 2024.  She was born on May 3, 1934, in Retford, England to the late Robert and Peggy (Ellis) Foster.

Debbie met the love of her life, Charlie Cole in Sumter, South Carolina while Charlie was in the United States Air Force. The two stayed in Sumter while he completed his schooling after his discharge. After graduation, they moved to Tennessee for the next 26 years. In 2000, they returned to South Carolina. They enjoyed 52 wonderful years together.

One of the biggest adventures Charlie and Debbie took on as a team was to design and built a beautiful home together. After years of planning and looking for the perfect spot, they completed their adventure with a lot of hard work and years of sweat. Unfortunately, due to economic times, they had to sell the house, their dream home.

Debbie enjoyed reading, traveling, and gardening; especially colorful flowers. She also loved animals. She raised an orphaned squirrel (Wilbur) and two possums (Heckel and Jeckel). Once they matured, she released them back into to the wild.

Debbie is survived by her husband, Charlie Cole; and brother, Paul (Leona) Foster.  She is also survived by her two sons from a previous marriage which produced four grandchildren and six great grandchildren: son, James Strickland of Florida, granddaughter, Stacy Strickland, great grandsons Aidan and Dylan Strickland, and granddaughter, Eva Strickland; and son, Ian Strickland with his wife, Suzanne of Utah, granddaughter, Amy (Mitchell) Barlow, great grandchildren, Mya and Weston Barlow, grandson, Riley (Shannon) Strickland, and great granddaughters, Zaylee and Kazleigh Strickland. She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Peggy Foster.

The family will receive friends at Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209 on Thursday, February 29, 2024, from 6:00 PM until 8:00PM, and again on Monday, March 4, 2024, from 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM at Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home, 418 West College Street, Jonesborough, TN 37659.  Interment will be at Mountain Home National Cemetery, 53 Memorial Ave, Mountain Home, TN 37684 on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 2:00PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Home.