Wilma M. Cole

Wilma Maxine (Smith) Cole, age 82, a lifelong resident of Scottsburg, Indiana, was born on March 14, 1944, to the late Clifford D. Smith and the late Grace (Arbuckle) Smith. Wilma passed away on September 7, 2026, at Hampton Oaks in Scottsburg, Indiana. She was a Christian by faith and recently asked Jesus to come into her heart and be the Lord of her life. 

She will forever be remembered as a strong-willed woman that if she loved you, she loved deeply. She loved family gatherings and cherished every opportunity to create memories with her family. She loved taking pictures and was affectionately referred to as the family photographer. She enjoyed playing BINGO, Mexican food, Texas Roadhouse, and especially shopping with her beloved friends Faye and Judy. In her younger years she enjoyed dancing at the Blocher Barn Dance where she was so excited to meet Dolly Parton. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to joke around and laugh.

Wilma is survived by her one son, Gary Cole, and his companion Becky of Henryville, Indiana; two daughters, Brenda Bircheat and her husband Steve of Scottsburg, Indiana, and Teresa Perkins and her husband Ray of Bardstown, Kentucky. One brother, Paul Smith and his wife Sue of North Vernon, Indiana. Seven grandchildren, Heather (Nathan), Tiffany (Brian), Tyson, Josh (Toni), Candace (Shawn), Deanna (Cabe) and Stevie. Fourteen great grandchildren, Connor, Gavin, Caylen, Trevor, Madi, Lexi, Rowen, Miles, Hunter, Jude, Jolie, McKenzie, Aubrie, Brooklynn and Hoyt. Also one great great grandson, Axel.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 37 years Hargis Cole; one son, Timmy Cole; two brothers, Clifford Smith Jr. and Robert Lee Smith. Two great grand children, Gary Lynn Cole Jr and Johnnie Wayne Jr.

The family will receive friends on Monday, September 14, 2026 from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM at Elevation Church in Scottsburg, Indiana with funeral services beginning at 1:00 PM. Pastor Gary Satterly will officiate. She will be laid to rest at Scottsburg Cemetery.

Friends are invited to leave condolence messages for the family at www.christensenfamilyfuneral.com

Daniel and Betsy Christensen of Christensen - Hoagland Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.