Lauretta M

Cole

REMEMBERING LAURETTA COLE

Lauretta Carolyn Cole, affectionately known as "Cup" or "Cuppie" was born on October 12, 1943, in Dolphin, VA as the fifth of seven children born to Freddie and Julia Mays. Lauretta Cole departed this world on September 10, 2022, but not before living God's purpose and leaving her gifts with many.

While growing up in Dolphin, Virginia, Lauretta first gave her life to Jesus Christ and started her biblical training. She learned her teaching, coordinating and multi-tasking skills on her grandparents' farm. After sharing and teaching her skills to many of her first cousins, and attending Virginia Morgan Russell primary school in Dolphin, VA and James Solomon Russell High School in Lawrenceville, VA, she went on to graduate from St. Paul's college in Lawrenceville, VA before moving to New Jersey and beginning her teaching career.

After teaching and receiving accolades during her nine years in Paterson, New Jersey Elementary School #6 classrooms, Lauretta became a Math teacher at Eastside High School in Paterson, NJ.  She went on to hold other educational positions including Elementary Math Resource; After School Coordinator; Superintendent's Task Force for Parent Involvement; School Management Team Chairperson; Board Member for Eastside High School Restructuring; Staff Development Coordinator; Basic Skills Instructor; and a Test Coordinator – to name a few. She also earned her master's equivalency in Paterson Public Schools.

Lauretta was especially proud of her community work in which she took on a leadership and a development role in the NAACP; developed a tutorial program, was the coordinator of the in-school Saturday Suspension Program; Coordinator of the Grandparent Program at School #6; Coordinator of School #6's Family and Neighborhood Program; Coordinator of William Paterson University's Brother and Sister Program; and Coordinator of the "Go to High School, Go to College" program.

Throughout such a successful and impactful educational career, Lauretta deservingly received many awards including Teacher of the Year: a special recognition award by NJ's governor; Women of Distinction award; Pride in Eastside award; Principal award; YWCA Women's Achievement award; and nominee for the "Outstanding Teacher" of America award.

Lauretta married Nathaniel Cole Jr. in 1970, and included in their union, is son Troy Norris. Shortly after they wed, they bought their first home in Hackensack, NJ and on October 12, 1972, Cup gave birth for the first and only time to Nathaniel Cole III. After she retired, they bought a farm and moved to Dover, Delaware where she lived the rest of her life with her family beside her: husband Nathaniel and three grandchildren: Nathaniel IV, Nathan and Natasha.

Lauretta nurtured and guided her family with her undying love, her biblical teachings and much prayer.  Yet, with her many professional accomplishments and impressive impact on the community, Lauretta still believed that her greatest gift from God was her family.

On September 10, 2022, Lauretta Carolyn Cole departed this life at Bay Health Hospital in Dover, Delaware. She is preceded in death by her parents Freddie and Julia Mays; 4 siblings: Willie Mays and his wife Shirley, Alice Diane Waters, Wilburt Mays, Glorice Mays & her husband William Fred Collier.

Lauretta leaves to treasure her memories: her husband , Nathaniel Cole Jr.; her most precious gifts : her son Nathaniel Cole III and his wife Bridgette; their sons & daughter: grandson Nathaniel Cole IV; granddaughter , Natasha Cole and her son, great-grand Jayden Cole; grandson Nathan Cole and his wife Lorecing Cole and their daughter & son, great-grands Neveah and Nathan Cole; granddaughter Breasia Curry; her son and daughters: great-grands Ja'Khi, Ja'Nicia, Ja'Nica Whitaker; Cup's step-son , Troy Norris; Aunt Kate and husband Uncle Albert Griffith; Uncle Richard Saunders; her brother , Alvin Mays and sister-in-law Marsha; her sister , Etta Maydene Jones; sister-in-law, Sylvia Mays, sister-in-law, Sandra Chambers and her husband Robert; her brother-in-law Lanny Cole; her sister-in-law, Dorothy Black; and her brother-in-law, Perry Cole and all of her many beloved Nieces, Nephews, Great Nieces and Great Nephews, Cousins, Friends and Partners in Education.

Lauretta Carolyn Mays Cole leaves you her LOVE and HOPES to see you in Heaven. Farewell.