Obituary of Barbara Jean Cole

Barbara Mansfield Cole, widow of The Reverend Isaac S. Cole, and former First Lady of Second Baptist Church, Atlantic City, transitioned from this life to life eternal on Saturday, July 4, 2015 at her home in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. Mrs. Cole was born to Allen and Katie Mansfield in Clifton Forge, Virginia, on April 15, 1934. There she attended the local elementary and junior high schools. Her parents believed that there was a better life up north so they moved the family to Atlantic City, New Jersey. Here in Atlantic City, she attended the Atlantic City High school and became a member of Union Baptist Temple under the pastorate of Reverend Matthew E. Neil. Upon completion of high school, she attended the New Jersey School of Commerce. She then worked several jobs until she met Reverend Isaac S. Cole, who was new to the city, as he had relocated from Alabama. He had been called to pastor the Second Baptist Church and he accepted the calling. They dated and shortly knew that they were soul mates and in love. They shortly married. Two children were born of the marriage; Avis LeAnn and Linda Jeanine. Mrs. Cole was a stay at home mom who also assisted her husband in his ministry. She was more than the First Lady in name. She accompanied her husband to the hospitals to visit the sick; attended marriage ceremonies; read the condolences and obituaries for funerals; and attended marital counseling when requested by her husband. What our family often was mesmerized with was how she knew all of the members’ names and a majority of their telephone numbers without pause. During the Christmas season, the elder members always looked forward to them having their turn for her to drive them around the communities to view the Christmas lights. Once her girls went off to college she accepted a position with the Atlantic City Board of Education. She retired after thirty years of service. Mrs. Cole was a classy, yet humble, woman. She enjoyed life, loved people and always had a word of encouragement for the old and young. She travelled extensively with her family over the years and often times, after her husband passed, with her sister, Catherine, or lady friends. In addition to being the First Lady of Second Baptist Church, Mrs. Cole was the church’s Activity Coordinator, served on the Trustee Board, was the spiritual advisor to the Helping Hand Ministry, and of course had been a member of the Isaac S. Cole Organization for Scholarship Aid (ISCOFSA). She was also a member of Jack and Jill of America and the Ministers Wives Association of New Jersey. Mrs. Cole will be missed by many. She leaves to remember her with great memories two daughters, Avis Cole Williams of Egg Harbor Township, and Linda Jeanine Woodson of Mays Landing; one grandchild whom she adored, Eric Colier Woodson; her godchild and nephew, Darrell Alston of Mays Landing; two sisters, Dorothy Houston of Rocky Mountain, North Carolina and Catherine Mansfield of Atlantic City; one brother, Louis Mansfield of Atlantic City; seven very special friends, Carrie James, Alberta Watkins, Lula P. Howard, Rebecca Jennings, Naomi Coleman of Teaneck, New Jersey, Joan Harris of Cypress, California, and Vivian Hudson (The “Special 7” who were true friends to the end, most of these were friends for over 40 years); and a host of nieces, nephew and friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Reverend Isaac S. Cole; her parents, Allen and Katie Mansfield; and two brothers , Albert Mansfield and Jeremiah Mansfield.