Robert G. Cole

May 1, 1930 - March 6, 2020

Robert G. Cole of Nashville, Tennessee passed away peacefully last Friday morning, March 6, 2020. Known by family and friends as “Bob, Bobby, or Daddy Bob,” he was just shy of reaching his 90th birthday, a milestone that would have been celebrated in early May. Bob grew up in the East Nashville area, where his father Noble Cole and mother Rebecca raised a family of four children: Martha (Sis), Dorothy (Dot), Harold (Bubba), and the youngest one, Robert (Bob). As a youth, Bob loved to help his Dad work on cars, and learned the art of that skill with years of practice. In addition, like most kids back in those days, he lived to run wild in the neighborhood with his brother and sisters, with Sis being “in charge.” Bob was to become an early entrepreneur in the distribution of wholesale meats in Nashville. His business, aptly named Nashville Wholesale Meats, supplied local and regional grocery chains and restaurants in Nashville and the surrounding communities. Their distribution reached northern Alabama, southern Kentucky, as well as middle and western Tennessee. Bob ran his business, in Bob Cole style, until the age of 87. In 1948, at the age of 18, Bob had fallen in love and was first married to Sarah Ramsey Craighead. This husband and wife team worked hard together for 37 years, and continued to raise Sarah’s three children from her first marriage. (Milo June , Edith, and Harold Dean) Bob and Sarah lived and worked briefly during the post-depression era in Detroit, then moved back to Nashville, where they continued to thrive, side by side, until her death. Bob’s second marriage was to Letitia Skelton McClearen. They had 25 years of fun times together and worked as a team to keep Nashville Wholesale Meats growing and serving their vendors. Also, they enjoyed church and community with their church family at Inglewood United Methodist Church. Robert Cole is preceded in death by his parents Noble and Rebecca Cole; sister, Dorothy Russell (Gene Russell); his wives, Sarah Ramsey Cole and Letitia McClearen Cole: step-children, Harold Dean Craighead, Edith Craighead Gregory (Samuel Cummins Gregory), Milo June Craighead Grillo (Michael Grillo), step- grandsons, Frank D. Grillo, Caleb Alan Gregory; and great-great nephew, Jessie Russell. . Mr. Cole is survived by a very large, loving family: Sister: Martha Sanford Nephews: Steve Sanford (Cheryl Sanford), Tim Sanford (Betty Sanford), Joel Sanford (Charmaine Sanford) Great-nieces and nephews: Jerrod Sanford (Monica Sanford), Brice Sanford (Beth Sanford), Nathanial Sanford (Katrin Sanford), Aaron Sanford, Ross Sanford, Jordon Sanford Great-great nieces and nephews: Sophia Sanford, Joshua Sanford, Breven Sanford, Courtney Sanford, Preston Sanford, Owen Sanford, Gavin Sanford Brother: Harold Cole Nieces: Karen Haden, Kimberly Griggs Great nephews: Elliott Haden, Zach Haden, Aubrey Griggs Sister: Dorothy Russell (deceased) Nephews: Gary Russell (Bonnie Russell), Rick Russell (Tammy Russell) Great nieces and nephews: Todd Russell (Juan Russell), Tracy Russell, Troy Russell, Ashleigh Moses, Keith Russell, Cole Russell, Andy Russell, Rebecca Russell Great-great nieces and nephews: Jasmine Wood, Tyler Wood Step-grandchildren: Frankie Grillo Step-great grandchildren: Frank Grillo, Jr., Kimberly Grillo McLean (Cory McLean) Step-great-great grandchildren: Christian McLean David Grillo (Corinne Nasso) Gordan Alan Gregory (Jeanne Gregory) Step-great grandchildren: Tandy Gregory Dillard (Darrell Gene Dillard) Step-great-great grandchildren: Alexis Makenzie Dillard, Darrell Alexander Dillard Step-great-great-great grandchild: Brock Alexander Richardson, Meagan Kathleen Gregory (Angela Lese Gregory) Caleb Alan Gregory Step-great-great grandchildren: Hayden Alan Gregory, McKinley Elizabeth Gregory Sammy Gregory (Betsy Gregory) Vicki Gregory Phillips (James Phillips, Jr.) Step-great grandchildren: Memree Phillips Roberts (Richardson Roberts), Aubree Phillips Parker Cheryl Gregory Southerland (Tony Southerland) Step-great grandchildren: Brittany Ann Wallace (Greg Wallace), Brooke Rani Southerland , Brian Gregory Southerland (Faith Southerland) Step-great-great-grandchildren: Zoe Faith Southerland, Corbin Lee Southerland, Baylee Ann Wallace, Aubree Lynn Wallace, Layklee Ray Wallace Step-Children: Brenda McClearen (James Hubbard) Martha McClearen (father of their children, Jeff Morris) Step-grandchildren: Kelly Dawn Reynolds (Jacob Ray Reynolds), Troy Lynn Morris (Vida Ahyong) Step-great grandchildren: Beckett Troy Reynolds, Griffin Owen Reynolds, Lochlan Thane Reynolds Step-nieces: Saundra Coleman, and Phyllis Hunter. Visitation will be at Phillips-Robinson Funeral Home Friday, March 13th from 3-7pm, and where Celebration of Life services will be conducted Saturday, March 14th at 2pm, Pastor Paul Tucker officiating. Interment will follow at Spring Hill Cemetery. Phillips-Robinson Funeral Home, 2707 Gallatin Rd. (615)262-3312. In lieu of flowers, a Go Fund Me account has been set up to receive donations for the recent Nashville Tornados: https://www.gofundme.com/f/celebration-of-life-for-robert-cole?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1