Paul Wilson Cole Jr., 93, of Bowersville, passed away Monday morning, November 28, 2022, at home with his wife by his side.

Paul was born on September 24, 1929, in Hartwell GA, to the late Paul Wilson Cole Sr. and Susie Booth Cole. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1948 and later commissioned for the US Air Force. In 1952, Paul married Caroline Wright Cole in Oakland, California. Mr. Cole received a Bachelor of Education from San Francisco State University in 1949 and went on to be an educator and school administrator who had an impact on thousands of lives across California and Texas. Paul later received his Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1983. After 65 years away, Paul Jr. returned to his native Georgia in 2013 and married his childhood Sunday School sweetheart, Carolyn Adams. Paul Cole was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hartwell.

Paul was preceded in death by his first wife, Caroline, and brothers: Billy Cole and Pruitt Cole.

Survivors include his wife Carolyn Adams Cole of Bowersville; son: Alan Cole (Carla) of Midlothian, TX; two daughters: Diana Maki (Eric) of Duncanville, TX and Caroline Coon (Eddie) of Tucker, GA; stepchildren Russell (Jackie) Stockton of Brasstown, NC; Joy Sibert (Tom) of Star City, AR; and Romana Stockton of Bowersville, GA; one brother; Terry Cole of Elberton, GA; one sister: Diana Harris of Avondale Estates, GA; and a combined twenty-six grandchildren.

The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon at 1:00 for visitation with services at 2:00 at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell with the Rev. Carter Tucker officiating. Burial will be at the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery, 1987 Boleman Hill Rd, Hartwell GA.

Flowers optional, memorials may be made to the Wycliffe Bible Translators, 7500 W Camp Wisdom Rd, Dallas, TX 75236.

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.