Claudia Cole Ainsworth

Claudia Cole Ainsworth, age 77, of Asheboro died Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at home, peacefully in her sleep.

Claudia was born July 9, 1940 in San Antonio, Texas to Rondel Lee Cole and Hazel Claudia Harvey Cole. She grew up traveling the United States and England as the daughter of an Air Force Major. In 1962 Claudia graduated from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA with degrees in music and art. Among her vast life experiences Claudia was the TV host of the daytime interview program, "Come Together" in Portland, OR. She was also a past practice partner for the US Olympic Ski Team in White Pass, WA and a skilled concert pianist and piano teacher for many years.

Most recently Claudia passionately served the Randolph Arts Guild of Asheboro for thirty years. She lovingly and spiritedly spent twenty years as shop manager, and the prior ten on RAG's Board of Directors. During her time at RAG she encouraged artists, friends, and customers alike and never met a stranger. Claudia was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd and served on numerous local boards and counsels.

In addition to her parents, Claudia was preceded in death by her brother Rondel Cole Jr. She is survived by her son Scott Ainsworth and wife Rebecca of Asheboro, and her granddaughter whom Claudia loved immensely. She also leaves behind a sister, Marilou Bowman (Terry) of Rockaway Beach, OR, brother Roger Cole (Molly) of Moscow, ID, and sister-in-law Nancy Sriver (Monte) of Goodyear, AZ; three nieces: Elizabeth Cole of Portland, OR, Shelby Kerr (Tim) of Lake Oswego, OR, and Jaimi Martin of Portland, OR; and three great nieces.

Anyone who met Claudia, even for the briefest moment in time, quickly became aware of her zeal for life and genuine love of people, animals, and the arts. Like a force of nature, her power to raise someone up was undeniable. She was encouraging and optimistic, sincerely kind, and made her community a better place. Her exuberant and caring presence will be dearly missed.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 2:00 pm at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 505 Mountain Road, Asheboro with The Rev. Joe T. Mitchell officiating and The Rev. Lynda Ferguson and The Rev. Jack Ogburn assisting. The family will receive friends following the service in the church parish hall.

Memorials may be made to The Randolph Arts Guild, PO Box 1033, Asheboro, NC 27204 or Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 505 Mountain Rd., Asheboro, NC 27205 or First United Methodist Church, 224 N. Fayetteville St., Asheboro, NC 27203.

Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro is serving the Ainsworth family.