Emma Cole

COLE Emma Irene Cole, beloved wife and mother, died April 22, 2013 at McGraw Hospice Jacksonville, Florida. She was 90 years old. Irene was the youngest of three daughters born in Jacksonville on May 8, 1922 to the late James and Emma Dukes. Irene grew up in Jacksonville and attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School. In 1944, Irene met her dear husband David Warren Cole, Sr. in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. David was a sergeant in the US Army stationed at Camp Blanding after returning from duty in the Pacific. David and Irene were married at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Jacksonville on April 28, 1946. The following year the couple relocated to Miami, Florida, Houston Texas, and Washington D.C., where David attended the National Institute of Cleaners and Dyers. After completing his training, the couple returned to Florida. David began his career in dry cleaning at Zoric Cleaners in St. Augustine, Florida. Not long after, the family moved back to Jacksonville to start their own business and to raise their family. Irene and David opened their first dry cleaning business in 1947 in Jacksonville Beach at the corner of 6th Avenue and Third Street. In 1950 they welcomed their first child Cynthia Irene. In 1953 they were blessed with a son David Warren, Jr. Completing their family, a second daughter Mary Kathleen arrived in 1959. Through the years, Irene helped run several businesses with David. She was an exceptionally dedicated wife and mother. In her leisure time, Irene loved flowers and enjoyed gardening. She was a member of several local bowling leagues and enjoyed the sport for many years. She participated in the Women's Club and David was active in the Rotary Club. Together they enjoyed attending club events where they could often be found on the dance floor. Irene was a founding member of Selva Marina Country Club. She was a faithful member of St. Paul's Catholic Church for 6 decades. Irene was predeceased by her parents, her beloved son David Warren Cole, Jr., her sister Virginia Ferris Goble, her sister Helen Howden-Smith, her nephew Michael Wayne Brown, and nephew Walter Brennan Brown. Irene is survived by her husband of 67 years David Warren Cole, Sr., daughter Cynthia Irene Rains and her husband John, daughter Mary Kathleen Malz and her husband Nicholas, daughter-in-law Kathleen Louise Cole, granddaughter Amy Irene Nix and her husband Ryan, grandson William David Cole, granddaughter Emma Elizabeth-Ann Cole, grandson Nicholas Cole Malz, granddaughter Channing Mae Malz, grandson Zachary Warren Malz, great grandsons Jackson Duke Nix and Wyatt Dean Nix, niece Jan Ferris Neely, nephew Julian Stevers Ferris, Jr., niece Patricia Irene Carter, nephew James Daniel Hogg, and nephew Cannie Lee Cody. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, April 26th in Quinn Shalz Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 27th in St. Paul's Catholic Church. Interment will follow in H. Warren Smith Cemetery of Jacksonville Beach, FL. Please visit our online Tribute at www.quinn-shalz.com. Services under the direction and care of: Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com

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