Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

October 1. 2023

Charlotte, North Carolina—Virginia Yates Cole, 93, passed away peacefully, with family by her side, in Charlotte, NC, on October 1, 2023. A world traveler, she led a long, full and active life. Greatly admired and deeply loved, she will be dearly missed.

Virginia is survived by her only child Susan Cole Mitchell, son-in-law Thomas Leo Mitchell, and grandsons Peter Cole Mitchell and James “Jimmy” Yates Mitchell, all of Charlotte. She also is survived by her niece, Amy Sinclair, her husband Tux Turkel and their son Zachary, all of Yarmouth, ME.

Virginia, often called “Ginny”, was preceded in death by her parents James “Jimmy” Black Yates and Elsie Ramsburg Yates. She also was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years Richard Barton “Barry” Cole, Jr., as well as his parents R.B. “Dick” Cole, Sr., and Margaret “Maggie” Rix Cole.

Virginia, an only child, was born on May 17, 1930 in Winchester, VA.  At 13, Virginia began helping her mother run the family’s summer hotel, “The Arlington”, in Kennebunkport, ME, after her father suffered a fatal heart attack. They owned the hotel from 1921 through 1967. Many of Virginia’s fondest memories were of her Arlington days.

Virginia graduated from Winchester’s John Handley High School in 1949. An athlete and member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Speech from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, in 1953. Northwestern named Virginia one of its outstanding female athletes and presented her in 2004 with a Varsity Letter which she proudly displayed.

From 1953 through 1961, Virginia taught speech and theatre arts, first at Port Huron High School in Michigan, followed by several years at Emma Willard School in Troy, NY, and then at The Hamlin School in San Francisco, CA.

Virginia married Barry Cole on Oct. 21, 1961. They lived in San Francisco before moving in 1962 to Melrose, MA, for Barry’s work in Boston. The young family lived in Ipswich, MA, from 1964 to 1988.

Virginia volunteered with the Junior League and numerous other organizations. She served as president of the Ipswich Women’s Club, as head of the League of Women Voters, and as a deaconess in First Church in Ipswich (United Church of Christ).

Virginia also found time for sports. She golfed at New Meadows in Topsfield, MA. During colder weather, she enjoyed cross country skiing, bowling, paddle, and ping pong, an activity which she played into her 90s.

In 1988 the couple retired and bought a year-round home in Kennebunk, ME. There they joined Christ Church, where Virginia sang in the choir and served on many committees. Virginia also was a life-long member of St. Ann’s Episcopal Church in Kennebunkport and served on its Vestry and its Altar Guild.

Virginia spent summers from 1968 through 2019 at the family’s Kennebunk Beach cottage. She enjoyed golf, tennis, swimming and boating. An award-winning athlete, Virginia was a member of Arundel Yacht Club, Edgcomb Tennis Club, Webhannet Golf Club, Cape Arundel Golf Club, and Kennebunk Beach Improvement Association. She headed Webhannet’s Ladies League, and served as a trustee at Edgcomb and at KBIA.

In 2017, to be closer to family, Virginia and her Yorkshire Terrier moved to Charlotte, NC. A Southminster resident and member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church, she was active in fitness classes, volunteer efforts, and worship services.

Throughout her extraordinary life, Virginia was always the cheerful giver. She firmly believed in making the world a better place.

A memorial service is planned next summer at St. Ann’s By the Sea in Kennebunkport.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Humane Society of the U.S.. Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service at 704-641-7606.