Marilyn Cole

Services for Marilyn Dawn Blansett Cole, 77, of Ada are 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 14, 2025 at the Fitzhugh Baptist Church, Pastor Steve Wilburn and Dr. Woody Wilson will officiate. Burial will follow at Lightning Ridge Cemetery near Roff. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Criswell Funeral Home.

Marilyn passed away Saturday, March 8, 2025 at her home in Ada. She was born January 24, 1948 to Joe Lee and Marjorie Wiletta Solomon Blansett in Ada and lived her entire life in Pontotoc County. She attended Roff and Fitzhugh Elementary schools and graduated from Latta High School in 1966 as the Salutatorian of her class. She graduated from East Central University.

She married Raymond Cole on April 3, 1970. They had two daughters, Erin and Deborah.

Her children said she was made to be a mom. Her nurturing and loving heart combined with her sweet and fun personality drew people to her. She believed we are born into one family, but we also are able to chose the rest of our family. Along the way, she and her husband Raymond, continually added members to their family.

For those who have been adopted into her family, please know:

You have been lifted up in prayer constantly

You have been loved unconditionally

You will always be her kids.

She enjoyed music and singing and taught herself to play piano. She sang in church and at gospel singings her entire life.

Marilyn enjoyed board games, especially Scrabble, as well as cards and dominoes. She often played dominoes and cards all night with her family.

Marilyn worked for the Ada Housing Authority, Chickasaw Housing Authority and Pontotoc County Vo-Tech and retired from East Central University, where she was office manager for the President of Academic Affairs. After ECU, she served as the church secretary for several years at Fitzhugh Baptist Church.

She was known for her speed as a typist and once told her manager that she had broken a 10-key calculator. As it turned out, she was inputting numbers faster than the calculator could handle so it turned itself off.

Survivors include her husband Raymond, of the home; her two daughters, Erin and Deborah; her brothers, Brian and Kindra Blansett and Brendan and Candace Blansett and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Marjorie Solomon Blansett, Roy and Rena Cole; sisters-in-law, Mattie Lois Ross, Lena Cole, Geneva Cole and Dianna Blansett; and brother-in-law, Odis Cole.

Bearers will be Jimmy Morgan, James Morgan, Joey Morrow, Donny Price, Shawn Bridgeman and Jeremy Richardson. Honorary bearers will be Don Boatright, Mickey Wells, Charles Morrow, Vanessa Wells, Braum's Breakfast Club and Mrs. Jo Ann Hollars.