Marie Barbee Cole, 82, of Beaumont, went peacefully to be with the Lord on December 6, 2014. She was born September 22, 1932, to Eva Marie Barbee and James Esko Barbee, in Center, Texas, and her childhood years were spent in Jasper, Texas.
Her family moved to Beaumont in the early 1950’s and attended the First Pentecostal Church located on Pope Street pastored by Reverend R. D. Gibson. It was there that she fell in love with and married young Evangelist Marvin L. Cole. Married in 1956, they briefly evangelized together before moving to Bay City, Texas, in 1957 where they pastored for the first time at the First Pentecostal Church of Bay City. Marie Cole found her calling; she was a hard worker, singer, and teacher which made her an outstanding pastor’s wife. While in Bay City, their first child was born, Marvin W. Cole. In 1965, they moved to Beaumont, where their daughter Michelle Cole LaBrie was born. The Coles took the pastorate of Glory Tabernacle on Sabine Pass Avenue in 1969 and, after years of hard work, commitment to Beaumont and the cause of Christ, this church grew to become The Apostolic Church. Her greatest joy was serving God and she and Pastor Cole were able to travel around the world ministering to missionaries! Marie also enjoyed serving as Secretary to the Texas District Ladies Auxiliary for several years. During the last few years, she has been unable to attend church regularly but continued to constantly read the Bible and pray. She has read the Bible through fifty times and was always proud to receive her certificate each year. Marie was a prayer warrior and continued to touch God in prayer until she finally decided to make the communion face-to-face! She has now left the Church Militant to join the ranks of the Church Triumphant!
Marie Cole leaves behind her loving husband of fifty-eight years, Pastor Marvin L. Cole; son, Marvin W. Cole of Warren; and daughter, Michelle Cole LaBrie and her husband, Reverend Michael G. LaBrie, of Beaumont; her only sibling, Frances Brannan and her husband, Richard Brannan, of Lumberton, and their children; her loving church family and Pastor Jonathan Elms and family; and countless church family around the world that at some point in their lives considered Sis. Cole their pastor’s wife.
A gathering of Mrs. Cole’s family and friends will begin at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 9, 2014, at The Apostolic Church, 3333 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 10, 2014, at The Apostolic Church, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.
