Melissa Suzanne Cole's Obituary
On September 28, 2017, Melissa Suzanne Cole was welcomed into the arms of her Heavenly Father following a courageous battle with cancer. Her last labored breath on this earth was followed by her first breath of celestial air and eternal healing.Melissa was born in Bremerhaven Germany on May 3, 1967 to Brenda McKinney Cole Antwine and the late Doctor Gary B. Cole. In addition to her mother and beloved fiancé John Farris of Germantown, TN. , Melissa is survived by her sisters, Angie Cole Wynn of Cordova, TN, and Jennifer Cole Rapchak and her brother-in-law Joe Rapchak of Alexandria, Virginia; Nephews Tyler and Dylan Wynn, Nicholas & Andrew Rapchak and niece Zoe Rapchak; step-sisters Jennifer Sweigart of Georgia and Beth Williams of Germantown; Aunt Diana McKinney Ramey and Uncle Randy Ramey of Waco, Texas, and Uncle Denny Gene McKinney of Los Altos, California, aunt, Mary Lou Cole Wood of Jonesboro, AR. Melissa was preceded in death by her father Gary Cole; her Step-father, Ben Antwine; and Grandparents Gene and Almeda McKinney and B.C. and Jessie Lee Cole.Melissa earned her B.S. in Education in 1999 and her M.A. degree in Instructional Design and Technology 1999. She began her career as a 21st Century Teacher in the Shelby County School System. In 2001 she served as adjunct professor at the University of Memphis and also became Technology Coordinator and Department Chair at St. Mary ‘s Episcopal School in Memphis. She was later promoted to Director of Academic Technology and Director of Online Learning. She was also a Group Fitness Instructor at the Athletic Club of Cordova and more recently at the Germantown Athletic Club. Melissa was a member of Hope Church and was an Associate member of the GPAC Guild.Melissa inspired others through her faith in God, her love of family, and commitment to fitness as often evidenced through her many creative writings. Her battle with cancer was characterized by hope, courage and an underlying strength that amazed and encouraged her many friends and loving family.A memorial service will be held at Hope Church on Saturday, October 14 at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 p.m. prior to the service at Hope Church.The family suggests Memorial Donations be made to either St. Mary’s Episcopal School at http://www.stmarysschool.org/giving to be used to foster the education of young women in the initiative of health and wellness, a topic Melissa felt passionately about and embraced in her own life, or to the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation at https://tnbcfoundation.org/donate.
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