Lena Fay Cole

Lena Fay (Shimel) Cole, daughter of the late Willis A. and Mary Lee (McClanahan) Shimel, was born June 24, 1931, near Mansfield, Missouri, and departed this life on July 18, 2025, at her residence in Mansfield. She was 94 years and 24 days of age.

On May 14, 1951, she was united in marriage to John “Port” William Cole and to this union four daughters, Wanda, Carol, Patty, and Jana, were born.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 61 years, John “Port” Cole; four brothers, Jesse James, John Alva, Willis Ray Sr., and Willard Adin Shimel; four sisters, Mary Jane Saladin, Malinda Elizabeth Morris, Susie Ross, and Tennie May Day; and one daughter, Carol Jane Hanger.

Lena is survived by three daughters, Wanda Quinn and her husband, Joseph, Patty Hanger and her husband, Gary, all of Mansfield, Missouri, and Jana McConnell and her husband, Monty, of Marshfield, Missouri; five grandsons, Don, Brad, Jeff, Nathan, and James Hanger; one granddaughter, Mandy Sigafus; twenty great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

She grew up in Wright County and attended a couple one room schools through the eighth grade, Mt. Olive or “Hog Eye” as some called it and Number Five. She then attended Mansfield High School and graduated with the class of 1948. After graduation, she attended Missouri State Teachers College, now known as Missouri State University, for one semester. Her dad had sold one of his cows to pay for the tuition for her to attend.

Lena gave her heart to the Lord at an early age and was a faithful member of the Mansfield Christian Church. If there was a need in the church, whether it was teaching Sunday school, helping with Vacation Bible School, or being song leader, she was always ready to step in and help.

She was no stranger to hard work and worked on the family farm milking cows, raising chickens, growing a big garden, and canning and preserving what she had grown.

Lena was an excellent seamstress and made beautiful clothes for her family, as well as sewing for others to bring in a little money for the household. Lena loved crocheting and quilting. She made many beautiful quilts for her daughters and grandchildren. She also enjoyed word search puzzles and baking cobblers, cakes, and cookies for her family.

In later years, Lena enjoyed reading and working on jigsaw puzzles (300 pieces only, please!). She enjoyed her bi-weekly trips to the library to pick out new books. She would always say, “Well, I don’t think I have read this one”.

Lena enjoyed spending time with her family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt, and a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and will always cherish the many wonderful memories.

Memorial contributions may be made to Nancy Newton Cemetery in care of the funeral home.