Eileen Cole

Eileen Scheer Cole never questioned a person’s character. She never closed her door or heart to a stray animal in need. She was a hard worker and a skilled artisan. And she raised her family with her own blend of grit and love. Eileen Cole died March 10 at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, IN. She was 87. A former 30-year resident of Biloxi, MS, Eileen enjoyed participating in the Mardi Gras, using her skill as an accomplished seamstress to design and sew many ball gowns for not only herself, but for her daughter and granddaughters, as well. Her love for beauty extended into her home, where she found joy in her Oriental collectables and in the animals she kept. She loved her cats and always made room for strays. For more than a decade, she actively contributed to the North Shore Animal Rescue League and, for more than 20 years, she supported St. Joseph's School for Indians. Eileen was the youngest of five children born to Dave and Mabel Adelphi McAtee Scheer of Stull, KS. In her earlier years, she was a member of Rebeccah Lodge, a sister of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Texas, and she served in a leadership role with the Girl Scouts of America. One of Eileen’s passions was photography, and she worked hard in the photography business with her husband of 46 years, the late Harold Lamar Cole of Biloxi, MS. She also worked for a time at a local law firm. And throughout her years, Eileen enjoyed her many friendships. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her siblings, Avryl Patch of Southern Pines, N.C.; Merle Scheer of Topeka, KS; Midge Britt of Stanton, TX; and Carl Scheer of Oklahoma City, OK; and her grandson, Michael Wayne Johnson of Gulfport, MS. Eileen is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Charlotte and Don Johnson of Fairfield, IL; her son and daughter-in-law, T. Vincent and Lynda Cole, formerly of Biloxi and now of Tupelo, MS her grandchildren and their spouses, Pamela Johnson of Houston, TX; Mia and Everett Howard of Columbia, S.C.; Darin Cole of Memphis, TN; Jeannie and Jason Grandin of Tupelo, MS; Heidi and David Chapman of Tupelo, MS; David Johnson of Columbia, S.C.; and Bevin Cole of Starkville, MS; and her great-grandchildren, T. Colby and Devin V. Parker; Riley Johnson, Katelyn Leigh Grandin; Joshua Taylor Grandin, Josie Grace Cole, Maggie Mae Grandin, Alexander Chapman, Michal McKenzie Johnson and Lilly-Anne Chapman. Eileen has many more loved ones who join in remembering her and mourning her loss. All will continue to cherish innumerable memories and carry forever the love she shared. She was a very special mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, relative and friend. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 13, 2005 from 6pm until 8pm at the Pass Road Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi. Graveside services will be on Monday, March 14, 2005, 11 am at Biloxi City Cemetery.