Barbara (Bobbie) Jean Cole's Obituary
Barbara “Bobbie” Jean Cole was born on November 12, 1938, and passed away on November 24, 2023. She was always filled with kindness, grace, compassion, appreciation of beauty, love of family and friends, and expressed gratitude for her long life which was full of wonderful and varied experiences.
Bobbie’s family was large, full of laughter, arguments, but full of love. She was one of 14 brothers and sisters. She was preceded in death by: Muzette Robinson, Bernice Davenport, Clestine Young, Frank Alexander Jr., Lester Alexander, Dixie Stanfield, Lucille Kelley, Essex Alexander, Jewel Gibson, and baby Maxine Alexander.
She is survived by her sister and brother, Maxine Shaprow and Troy Alexander. Bobbie had one daughter, Alicia Cole and 3 grand fur babies, Nubby, Fabiola, and Little Bit.
Bobbie was a retired Nurse, a world traveler, lover of animals, an avid reader, and everybody’s Mom.
Bobbie’s life was encapsulated with Faith, Family, Friends, Food, Traveling, and Fun. In her 85 years here with us she experienced an abundance of each.
While living in Los Angeles, CA, Bobbie was baptized into the Catholic Faith. Since that time, she was very devoted to her faith. She was a member of Holy Name Cathedral Catholic Church for over 12 years. In addition, she took her daughter to Rome, and both were blessed by the Pope John Paul II.
Bobbie was born and raised in Chicago. She would talk about going down to Lake Michigan, looking at the water, playing in Lincoln Park; but her fondest memories were of going down to Mississippi for the summers to her grandparents’ home where she would work on the family farm.
Bobbie had countless friends both near and far.
Bobbie was a world traveler. She loved to go to new places she had never been before. The morning of her death, she talked about going to Ireland and Scotland. Bobbie had been to Mexico, Italy, Japan, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, ever state in the US, Britain, and Israel.
Bobbie delighted in fun and maintained a love of adventure and learning throughout her life. On May 5, 2018, she received her bachelor’s degree. Bobbie started at Saint Xavier College in the late 1970’s, while working fulltime and being a single mother. She left Saint Xavier when her daughter joined the Navy and moved with her every 2 to 3 years for duty station transfers. She made sure wherever she was, she would take college courses. When her daughter was stationed at Scott AFB, Il, Bobbie contacted now the Saint Xavier University about what would be needed to receive a diploma. Unbeknownst of her achievement, Saint Xavier University told her she was already 20 credits over the amount needed to graduate. On graduation day, she walked across the stage and received a standing ovation from 3,000 people who were present at the Shannon Center. She didn’t realize they were clapping and standing for her. She is quoted in the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper on May 7, 2018 as saying: “When I looked back and saw everyone standing, I’m like, ‘Good God! That’s for me.’ I felt so truly blessed. All I wanted was that diploma. And to get all that! I was blown away,” she said. “It just shows you never should give up. You gotta keep trying.”
This was not her first accomplishment. She attended and graduated from the Provident Hospital & Training School. She became a Registered Nurse (RN) where she worked and was registered in California, Virginia, and Illinois. She worked in Private, Public, and Military hospitals. Bobbie decided to become a nurse after an accident when she was a child. She admired how the nurses took care of her and the other patients and decided that is what she wanted to be.
When she was not working as a nurse, she was working as a volunteer. She worked in numerous volunteer positions but the jobs she loved the most involved working with children. She volunteered at Head Start in California and felt she was helping to mold our future generations. For almost 10 years, she volunteered with Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) in their National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp for kids, which is held annually in Washington, D.C., over Memorial Day weekend. She became a fixture at the camp each year and was affectionately called “Babs”. She loved the children, and they loved her.
Bobbie lived life to the fullest. She went to multiple tours at the White House, the 4th of July event on the South Lawn, the Christmas Tree tour, and also met President Barak Obama. Bobbie was never star struck but was speechless when President Obama asked where she was from. This was one of the highlights of her life.
Bobbie also had an admiration for President Abraham Lincoln. She always admired his persistence and focus. It is fitting that her life is summed up by his words, “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Bobbie exemplified just that. The world has lost a bright light, but her glow will always be forever. May her name always be a blessed memory.
What’s your fondest memory of Barbara?
What’s a lesson you learned from Barbara?
Share a story where Barbara's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Barbara you’ll never forget.
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