Linda Cole

Linda Ruth (Hatley) Cole was born on Aug. 6, 1947, in Poteau. She was the daughter of Ernest (Buck) and Catherine Hatley of McCurtain.
Linda attended school in McCurtain and graduated high school there in 1965. Upon graduation, she attended Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton.
In 1966, she married Dwight Vincent and from this union, their son, Heath, was born.
Linda later married Paul Cole and they had one daughter, Heather. As a family, they moved to Oklahoma City in 1978. There, Linda began her life long career with the Department of Environmental Quality for the state of Oklahoma. During this time, Linda and Paul also enjoyed raising and training race horses.
In 2003, Paul and Linda retired to McCurtain, establishing their home near her old childhood home there. During her retirement years, Linda enjoyed substitute teaching at McCurtain School. She enjoyed raising her animals on their farm and also enjoyed gardening. She and Paul also spent many enjoyable days camping and fishing on Kerr Lake with friends.
In 2005, her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson, Brooks, moved to McCurtain. Brooks was the highlight of her life and she very much enjoyed being a grandmother. Brooks could always brighten his “Nan’s” day.
Linda attended church at McCurtain United Methodist Church and in later years became a member of Bokoshe United Methodist Church where both her and Paul attended and enjoyed a loving church family.
Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; her step daughter Tammy Hilton; her parents Buck and Catherine Hatley, and her grandparents.
Linda leaves to mourn, her daughter, Heather Bekoff, and grandson Brooks of McCurtain; her son Heath Vincent and wife Andrea of Edmond; one sister Betty Terry of Oklahoma City; one nephew Brian Terry of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; and one niece Kristin Terry of Oklahoma City; special friends Arlene Nixon, Sandra Warren, and Sue Warren of McCurtain. Linda also leaves behind many friends, neighbors, and a church family whom she loved dearly.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Dec. 11, 2017, at Bokoshe United Methodist Church. Private burial services will be held in the Miners Cemetery following the lunch at the church.
Active pallbearers will be Patrik Lovell, Kenny Blaylock, Chris Hensley, Tracey Lovell, Jerry Bray and Alvin Blaylock.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jerl Warren, Wayne Warren, Milford Blaylock, Paul Orr, Donald Sawyers, Loyd Nixon, Eddie Pritchard, Jerry Nixon, Bill Henderson and Gerald Lovell.