Mrs. Callie L. Cole

Early one spring day, on March 20, 1942, a little girl was born to Minnie and Jesse Brewster. She was the third of seven children. They named her Callie Lillian Brewster. She confessed hope in Christ at an early age and was baptized at St. John Missionary Baptist Church by Rev. J. E. King. She reached her final destination into God's Kingdom on Saturday, December 10, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. Callie was preceded in death by her parents; Minnie and Jesse Brewster; husband, Frank L. Cole, Sr.; two brothers, Jesse Brewster, Jr. and David Brewster. Callie was a woman of faith. She understood the divine plan of our Heavenly Father and her role to bless lives. She loved her church family and had fond memories of it. She taught Sunday School in the 1st Division for many years. She always wanted to be Christ like. Her service at St. John included the following: Matron, Russell Riley Circle, Home Mission Chair for the Missionary Society, Sunbeam Leader, Sunday School, and Beautification member. Callie was a faithful member. Callie was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Delta Nu Zeta Chapter. Her hobbies include fishing, cooking, sewing, making floral arrangements and her favorite past time loving her grand and great grandchildren. Before we knew to call it social work, Callie had already given it a meaning of its' own. When she was ''just" a teenager Callie would gather all the younger girls in the neighborhood whose hair needed to be combed and/or washed and spend all day or as long as it would take to do it. She never thought of getting paid for doing it because she was taught, " love is as love does" and you don't have to be rich to be clean and look nice, you just have to care. She always made time for old folks and children. When Callie was in the seventh grade, she became attached to the poem "The House by the Side of the Road" by Sam Walter Foss. From that day to now it has become a way of life for her, often quoting her favorite part; "Let me live in a house by the side of the road where the race of men go by-The men who are good and the men who are bad as good and as bad as I. I would not sit in the scorner's seat or hurl the cynic's ban; Let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man." It was not hard for Callie to embrace this attitude because this is the attitude she saw in her "Mother" every day of her life. Callie was a 1960 graduate of T J. Harris High School, in Meridian, MS. She played center position in basketball and song in the choir. After high school she chose to attend T J. Harris Jr. College in 1964. Callie continued to further her education by attending Mississippi Valley State College and Jackson State College studying General Science and Elementary Education. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work in 1989 from Mississippi State University where she was selected as a recipient in "Salute to Excellence". Throughout her college tenure she remained on the Dean's List. She attended many national, state, district, local meetings, coeferences, conventions, and seminars to enhance her leadership skills and to expand her knowledge. Callie believed in learning. Callie worked at Owens Brothers Packing Supply from 1962-1965. She taught second grade at Middleton Attendance Center from 1966-1967. Her love for others were expressed through her services to those who are less fortune. She was one of the first workers for Lauderdale Economic Assistance Program (LEAP) before it became known as Multi-County Community Service Agency, Inc. (MCCSA.) She held several different positions before becoming the Executive Director in 1986. One of the agency programs that Callie was instrumental in the development of was Lauderdale County Federal Credit Union. Callie also helped to form agencies that were not part of MCCSA. In 1989 MCCSA Board Chairman Judge William Neville and Callie were instrumental in getting a cross section of the community to come together to apply for and receive a charter from "Habit for Humanities". She then became one of the founding board members. Love's Kitchen is another agency that Callie and Judge Neville were instrumental in organizing and once again Callie was one of the founding board members. She also was a Charter Member of the Board of Directors for the Hill Top Group for Boys; Charter Member of Mississippi Housing Coalition and a Charter Member for Greater Meridian Health Clinic, Meals on Wheels and South Harbor Shelter were high priorities on Callie's goals of helping those who couldn 't help themselves. Callie served on several boards: Lauderdale County Federal Credit Union, Habit for Humanities, Greater Meridian Health Center, Love's Kitchen, Coalition for the Homeless, National Housing Board, Counsel on Aging, United Way, Dallas Home Bank, Mississippi Association of Community Action Agencies, and others. Callie Cole loved her family. She showed loved to everyone that she met. In 1959, Callie was united in Holy matrimony to Frank L. Cole Sr. She leaves to cherish her loving memories: two sons, Alex Cole, Frank (Vanessa) Cole, Jr, both of Germany; three daughters: Tanya (Ele Gene) Hudson of Meridian, MS; Minnie LaQuita Cole, of Fort Worth, TX; and Mable Cole Moore of Meridian, MS. She leaves to cherish her loving memories: two sons: Alex Cole; Frank (Vanessa) Cole, Jr. both of Germany; three daughters: Tanya (Ele Gene) Hudson of Meridian, MS; Minnie LaQuita Cole, of Fort Worth, TX; and Mable Cole Moore of Meridian, MS. She leaves four siblings to cherish here memories: Mary (William) Perry of Meridian, MS; Norman Brewster of Memphis, TN; James Harold (Mae) Brewster of Tampa, FL; and Emma Ruth (Robert) Barfield of Meridian, MS. God continued to shed his blessings upon Callie with (15) grandchildren: Rafael Williams, LaQuandra Coleman, Kashyra (Earlisha) Cohen, CaPrisha Moore, LaQuindra Coleman, KaShunna Coleman, Dolisha Gamble, LaQuiva Coleman, Anesa Moore, LaDarrius Coleman, Alaina Moore, Terrence Moore, Jr., Zakirah Cole, Xander Cole, and Fallon Cole; (7) great-grandchildren: Kalleigh Miller, Ometric Brown, O’mir Brown, Karson Silliman, Kynce Battle, Ayce Williams, and Chayce Williams. She also leaves to cherish her memories her extended family: Rodriquez Pollard, Javia Anderson, Lay Lay, Mary Atterberry-Lewis; and host of nieces, nephews, and cousins all who cherished and loved her very dearly.

Mrs. Callie L. Cole

March 20, 1942 - December 10, 2022