Mary Nelle Stanley Cole

Mrs. Mary Nelle Stanley Cole, 96 of Mount Airy, passed away Monday morning, January 1, 2024.  Mrs. Cole was born April 1, 1927, in Wilkes County, the oldest girl born to the late Eugene and Mary Lee Coe Stanley.  Mary Nelle grew up on a tobacco farm in the Copeland Community of Surry County along with her 4 siblings, Bill, Jim, and John Stanley as well as younger sister Kay Francis Hege Smith.  Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Herman Delaney “Pete” Cole; daughter, Mary Kathryn “Kitty” Cole; and son-in-law, Larry Allen Stanley.  She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Cole Stanley of Claudville, Virgina and granddaughters, Nicole Stanley, Mount Airy, Alex Stanley-Stretch (Chris) of Creedmoor, NC, and Elizabeth Stanley Jackson (Carlton) of Edenton, NC.  She is also survived by her great granddaughters Madison Akers of Mount Airy and Delaney Dane Jackson of Edenton. 

Pete and Mary met in Mount Airy while working at Renfro Hosiery and Spencer’s Inc.  After getting married, they moved to Dan Valley Farms in Claudville, VA where Pete trained Saddlebred Horses. Upon moving to Lexington, Kentucky with her husband’s job Mary fell in love with the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  She never missed a Kentucky Derby and was a devoted Church Lady unless she was watching University of Kentucky Men’s Basketball.  Upon returning to Mount Airy, she became a Member of Rockford Street United Methodist Church where she served as Sunday school teacher, choir member, various methodist boards, and was a recipient of 2 Lifetime Achievement membership pins.  She was also involved with Surry County Extension as a member of the Busy Bee Club. 

As an avid animal lover, Mary enjoyed bird watching, caring for her many pets over the years, and showing miniature horses.  In lieu of flowers, Mary’s wish was for donations to be made to the Galax Carroll Grayson Animal Shelter at 200 Fair Street, Galax, Va 24333. Services will be held Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 10:00 am at Moody Funeral Home Chapel, Mount Airy.  Pastor Philip Adams will officiate the service.  The private burial will be at a later date.