Edward Jackson Coble

I am Edward Jackson Coble but most everyone calls me Jack. I was born at the Coble homeplace on September 8, 1931 and was the last of my mother's five children. My older sisters were Virginia Duncan (Sis), and Mary Louise Foust (Dink). My brothers were Lee Roy Coble and John Coble.

My parents were Alfred Columbus (1893-1946) and Mattie Brafford Coble (1892- 1980). My father who served in WWI was a farmer he passed away when I was in the 7th grade of school. My mother was a strong woman but it was a struggle raising a family by herself we survived these hard times thanks to my sister and brother John and Virginia.

I attended Providence School and graduated from Randleman High School. During these years my niece Linda Duncan Horney lived with us. One of my fondest memories was teaching her the alphabet and to count to 100 before she started school. After high school I worked in Jimmy Routh's sawmill for a while before moving to Greensboro and working in construction building on Women's College; now known as UNCG. Later I went to work as a mechanic for Dick Brown and then Nance Chevrolet where I retired after 35 years of service. After retirement I worked with my son and farmed.

One day while working in the field a Shorty Walker asked if I wanted to go to the movies with some girls from Grays Chapel. Shorty chickened out but Roberta Routh (Brown) set everything up and it was there that I met the love of my life Shirley Hazel Hall on my birthday in September 1951. We were married on October 16, 1954. We lived with my mother helping take care of her while we built our home.

We moved into our home in July of 1958 and our first child a daughter Deborah was born the next week. In June of 1960 we added a son Robert to our family. My wife was a homemaker who worked hard taking care of our family and helping care for both my mother and her parents.

I had so many friends over the years that I never lacked for things to do. One of my favorite things was going to lunch with my son and longtime friend Vernace Pugh, my grandson Nick, and Mitchell Macon. I can't tell you how much I've missed him since he passed. In recent years many of my friends have passed away but I always found people to fellowship with at my church and in my community. So many that I could go on for hours but, I won't.

I must say that growing old has not been a lot of fun. I don't see as well as I once did so I gave up driving. Seems like when you get old all you do is go to the doctor. This past July I had a spell with my heart and shortly thereafter learned I had cancer. I decided I didn't want to be sick from treatments so I came home to spend what time I had left with family and friends.

I passed away on Friday October 20th surround by the people I love most my family.

I leave behind my wife Hazel, who cared for me until the end, my daughter Debbie (Holcomb) who came back home to care for me with my son Robbie (Coble). I also leave behind my son-in-law Mike (Holcomb) and daughter-in-law Carrie (Coble); these two were very special being there to do anything that I needed. Also, I leave behind my grandchildren Clayton (Holcomb), Nick (Coble), Lindsey (Angel), her husband Michael and children Malachi and Avery, Jamie (McDonald) her husband Todd. Finally, I leave behind a sister-in-law, Peggy (Coble) and many nieces and nephews along with my church family.

The family will receive friends Sunday, October 22, 2017 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Pugh Funeral Home (600 south Main Street, Randleman, NC). The funeral will be Monday at 11:00 am at Bethany United Methodist Church (3650 Bethany Church Road, Franklinville, NC) with Reverend Pat Dixon officiating.

Memorials may be made to Bethany United Methodist Church (3650 Bethany Church Road, Franklinville, NC) or Faith Christian School (5449 Brookhaven Road, Ramseur, NC, 27316).