GREENSBORO &8212; John Robert Cole, 76, of Greensboro died Feb. 2, 2008, at his residence. Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the New Haven Baptist Church, where the Rev. Burton Christian will be the clergy.

Interment will follow in the New Haven Church Cemetery. Kirk Funeral Home of Greensboro will be directing.

Cole was born Jan. 28, 1932, in Hale County to Herbert Garis and Ester Christian Cole, served in the United States Army for 21 years, and also he was a school teacher for 16 years in the Perry County School System.

His parents and two sisters, Louise Ryan and Lula B. Henry, precede him in death.

He is survived by his spouse of 51 years, Elizabeth Kelly Cole, one daughter, Lynn Smith and husband, Larry, of McCalls, three sons, Robert Cole and wife, Rose, of Moundville, Wayne Cole and wife, Mabry, of Moundville and Johnny Cole and wife, Wanda, of Tuscaloosa, sister, Linda C. Fisher, of Greensboro, two brothers, Jesse, Levi C. and Reuben Cole, all of Greensboro, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.