John Bernard Cole

Mr. John Bernard Cole passed away Wednesday, February 20, 2019, in Natchez, Mississippi, as a result of a sudden illness. Services will be held at St. Patrick’s Church, of Ferriday, Louisiana, on Sunday, February 24, 2019 at 2 p.m. Visitation is Saturday 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Young’s Funeral Home in Ferriday, Louisiana. Burial will be in Natchez City Cemetery following the service. A resident of Natchez, Mississippi, Mr. Cole was a native of Wildwood Plantation near Clayton, Louisiana. He was born November 13, 1978, the son of the late Samuel Dixon Cole, III and Carolyn Edith Davis Cole Huffman. He is survived by his mother, his step- father Walter Benjamin Huffman, Jr. and his three brothers and their families: Samuel Dixon Cole IV and his wife Virginia Caroline Seale Cole of both Baton Rouge and Ferriday, Louisiana; Howard Davis Cole and his wife, Shelly Frances Brown Cole of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Walter Benjamin Huffman, III and his wife Jessica Coco Huffman of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Survivors include six nieces and nephews: Anna Lane Cole, Samuel Dixon Cole, V (Dixon); Gregory Davis Cole, Clara Grace Cole, and Ella Kate Cole (Davis); and Bailey Noelle Huffman (Benjamin). Mr. Cole is also survived by his fiancée, Anne Barton Stowers, of Natchez, Mississippi. John Bernard Cole grew up in Catahoula Parish on Wildwood Plantation. John’s family has resided in the Natchez area for nine generations. His maternal grandparents farmed in the Catahoula, Tensas, and Concordia area and owned the Davis Brothers Gin Company in Clayton. From his paternal grandparents, he was descended from the Coles who settled the Coles Creek area north of Natchez on a Spanish land grant in the 18th Century. John was a 1996 graduate of The Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts in Natchitoches, La. He attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He worked as a survey crew chief and instrument man, civil engineering inspector, and brick mason. He was especially proud of his masonry work throughout the Blacksburg, Virginia area. Most recently, he worked as a civil engineering inspector for the replacement of the drinking water system throughout the Town of St. Joseph, Louisiana. John was a great son, brother, uncle and friend. He enjoyed reading, history, hunting, fishing, and socializing with his many friends in historic Natchez. John was a gifted artist and craftsman who worked in stained glass, wood carving, and charcoal drawing. He made a legendary chili and grew great tasting tomatoes. He was a kind and generous person who was always eager to help a friend or stranger. Pallbearers will be: C. J. Barron, Ben Touchstone, Robert Smith, Samuel Stowers Mohon, Ron Burt, Bill Britt, and Zach Wakefield. Honorary Pallbearer will be Kevin Kuperman. To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.youngsfh.com

John Bernard Cole

November 13, 1978 - February 20, 2019