Margaret Cole, age 86, of Harris, passed away Friday, March 6, 2020 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills in Forest City.

Margaret was born July 19, 1933 in Cleveland, Tennessee to the late Daniel Waters and Ruth Taylor Waters. She was a graduate of Shelby High School and worked for Burlington Industries-Caroleen Plant for twenty-eight years before retirement. She was a member of Morning Star Baptist Church. Margaret enjoyed growing flowers, playing the piano and singing gospel music. She especially loved spending time with her family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Max Cole; brother, Bud Waters; three sisters, Beadie Waters, Gert Ellis, Betty Phillips and two great-granddaughters, Gracie Alexander and Katelyn Gowan.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Catherine Cole Alexander of Harris; son, Gerald Michael Cole of Forest City; sister, Elizabeth Carter of Shelby; four grandchildren, Jeffery Alexander (April), Gina Gowan (Tony), Justin Cole and Brandie Cole; four great-grandchildren, Caleb Alexander, Matthew Alexander, Maggie Gowan, Kalil Cole and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. at the Harrelson Funeral Chapel with Reverend Ernie Cole and Reverend Gene Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Holly Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the funeral home. At other times they will be at 15 Radar Road, Rutherfordton.

Memorial donations are requested to Harrelson Funeral Home, 1251 U.S. Highway 221A, Forest City, NC 28043 to help defray funeral costs.

Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements.

An online guest registry is available at www.harrelsonfuneralhome.com