Delores Cole was born on October 22, 1939 to Geneva Pate and JB Ashley in Osceola, AR where she lived until she was 13 years old. She moved to Michigan in 1952 where she attended Willow Run Schools and graduated in 1958. Delores was a highly loved and respected teacher in the Willow Run School District, and taught there for 34 years. In 2001, she was inducted into the Willow Run Hall of Fame for all of her accomplishments in teaching, and all that she did for the school district.

Delores graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Early Childhood Education, and went on to receive her Masters degree as well. She was incredibly proud of both of her degrees, and always believed that an education was one of the most important things that you could have. Throughout her life, she loved music and was the drum major of the Willow Run High School marching band. Her love of music spanned her life, where you could always find her singing and humming, and listening to music, most especially country. She had quite the sweet tooth, always loving jelly beans the most, and also had a fondness for shopping and playing board games.

She will be loved and missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her husband James Cole, her sons Tim (Lesa) Blackburn and Todd (Penny) Blackburn, her grandchildren Kristen, Max and Kaitlyn Blackburn and numerous friends, and relatives.

She was preceded in death by her daughter DeLynn Blackburn, her mother Geneva Jording and her brother Jeffrey Jording.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to support the Melanoma Research Fund. Checks may be made payable to “University of Michigan” and sent to:

Michigan Medicine Office of Development
1000 Oakbrook Drive, Suite 100
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

You may also call 734-764-6777 to make your gift.