Obituary of Frances Cole

Frances (Frankie) Cole, 78, passed away quietly at home surrounded by her family on Wednesday, December 18. She was born in Charleston, WV, to Harry and Leveta Woodcock. Frankie graduated from Melbourne High School in 1959. After graduation, she enrolled in Orange Memorial Hospital’s nursing program and graduated in 1963. She received her Bachelor of Science in 1988 from the College of St. Frances in Joliet, IL. Frankie was vibrant and full of life and loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed all types of art and crafts, floral design, gardening, and curling up with a good book on the beach. She began her nursing career at Orange Memorial Hospital and then Brevard Hospital. She later worked at Patrick Air Force Base, where she had the distinct pleasure of meeting the Mercury Seven astronauts. Frankie continued her nursing career oversea for several years. Once back in the States, she became head of the Emergency Room at Sebastian River Medical Center and then opened Sea Pines Rehabilitation Hospital in Melbourne. She later took all her medical experience and started her own business. Frankie had been a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority since 1974, where she was elected president of City Council, nominated as her chapter’s president, Woman of the Year, and Valentine sweetheart. Her son, Christopher Cole of Melbourne, and daughter, Eileen Cole of Palm Bay, survives her. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held on Saturday, January 4, at 11:30 a.m., at the Highland Avenue Fellowship (St. Paul’s United Methodist) Church, 1591 Highland Avenue in Melbourne. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the South Brevard Sharing Center in Melbourne, and the SPCA of Brevard in Titusville.