Rev. Donald Ray Cole

Donald Ray Cole, 85 of Providence, KY passed away Monday, April 12, 2021 at Baptist Health in Madisonville, KY. 

He was born July 11, 1935 in Providence to the late Labe “TK” and Corinne Cole.

Donald lived on the farm until he married his wife, Anna Lorene Russell, June 4, 1954.  He was called by God to the Ministry in 1954 during a fall revival in his home church.  He began his college education at Bethel Jr. College, (Baptist) in Hopkinsville in the fall of 1955 and graduated in 1957.  He went to Murray State University in 1957 and graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts in History with an English and Biology minor. He started teaching at Christian County High School in the spring semester of 1960.  That same year in the fall, he began teaching seventh grade at Belmont Elementary, completing the school year in the spring semester of 1961. 

During the summer of 1961 he coached the Babe Ruth League baseball team and won the pennant.  Donald then moved to Kansas City, MO in August 1961 and entered Midwestern Baptist Seminary and completed the requirements for his Master of Divinity Degree that fall. 

He served as pastor for 50 years at nine different Baptist churches in KY and MO and shared his gift of preaching further in other states, including Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, and Alabama. He was the executive director of the Kentucky League On Alcohol and Gambling Problems and the Kentucky Ethics League. He was chief counselor and a social worker at Eddyville State Penitentiary and a member of Church Relations Council at Campbellsville University.

He was a member and Sunday school teacher at Corinth Baptist Church in Providence. In addition to Bible study and preaching, Donald enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, reading, and keeping up with the news.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jimmie Cole.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Anna Lorene (Russell) Cole; three children, Russell Cole (Cindy) of Berea, KY, Gene Cole of Providence, KY and Donna McGaha (Jason) of Brandenburg, KY; siblings, Darrell Cole (Judy) of Indianapolis, IN, Carolyn Winstead (Mac) of Slaughters, KY; six grandchildren, Justin Amburgey (Makenzie), Jordan Amburgey (Tessa), Nicholas Cole (Kourtney), Kristina Cole, Wyatt McGaha, Cheyanne McGaha; five great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 12:00 PM, Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Tomblinson Funeral Home Henderson Chapel.

Visitation will be 4:00 PM-8:00 PM, Friday and 10:AM until service time Saturday at the funeral home.

Rev. Jimmy Sigler will officiate.  Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Providence, KY.

Pallbearers will be Justin Amburgey, Jordan Amburgey, Nicholas Cole, Wyatt McGaha, Jason McGaha and Darrell Cole.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Corinth Baptist Church, 2106 St. Rt. 120E, Providence, KY 42450.

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