Mrs. Mary Thelma Cole, age 97 of Ellijay, passed away on Saturday, March 9th, 2024 at the Parkside Nursing Home in Ellijay.

Thelma was born on November 16th, 1926 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland to the late Benjamin Richards and the late Dora Canter Richards. She was a proud member of the Ellijay First United Methodist Church, a member of the Eastern Star, a member of the Pink Ladies, and was in the Ben Barrett Sunday School Class which started Faith, Hope, and Charity. Thelma was the Clerk for the City of Ellijay. Mrs. Cole is preceded in death by her loving husband, Dalie Hampton (D.H.) Cole, Jr., and several brothers and a sister.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, James (Bliss) Cole of Ellijay; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Jennifer (Chad) Miller of Roswell, GA; three great-grandchildren, Annabeth Miller, Caroline Miller, and Cole Miller all of Roswell, GA, and several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, March 13th, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Bernhardt Funeral Home with Rev. John Brantley officiating. The interment will be the following day on Thursday, March 14th, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. from the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 13th, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. until the service hour of 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that memorial contributions be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children.

Bernhardt Funeral Home of Ellijay is in charge of these arrangements.