Bertha Anne Cole
of Kerrville, TX
July 22, 1939 - March 19, 2025
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Bertha Anne Cole, 85, of Kerrville, passed away Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Bertha Anne was born in Wichita Falls on July 22, 1939, to Willie and Oddy Hastings. At the age of 4, she went to live with Bessie and Bill Hood who became her adopted parents. She grew up in Wichita Falls and graduated from Old High. Soon thereafter, she started her 22-year career with Braniff Airways where she developed her lifelong love of travel. It was while working for Braniff, at Shepherd Air Force Base, that she met a handsome Sargent named Richard Cole. What started as a friendship turned into love. They were married in August 1967. Thus began a loving, committed 58-year marriage. Richard describes Bertha as not just his wife, but his best friend, consultant, advisor, counselor, and soulmate.
Bertha, Richard and daughter Donna moved to San Antonio in 1967. Another move in 1974 took them to Houston where they stayed until 1995. Bertha and Richard made the decision to settle in the Hill Country and landed in Kerrville. Throughout all these years and different cities, Bertha remained devoted to her faith, always finding a welcoming and close church family. She delighted in her church community and found fulfillment in various charitable works.
She and Richard shared a love of travel, both foreign and domestic. They saw the world in a way most people only dream of. Bertha may have been most at home in the first-class seat of an airplane enroute to an exotic destination. In their years together, she and Richard were able to visit 5 out of the 7 continents. Besides travelling, she enjoyed holidays with her large extended family in Wichita Falls, spending quiet evenings at home, attending church, and enjoying the company of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bertha was predeceased by her grandparents, Ida Prince and Pearl and Byrtle Hill; her parents, Bessie and Bill Hood, Willie and Ethel Hastings, and Oddy and Lawrence Shook; her eldest brother, Willie Fred Hastings; sisters-in-law, Rose Mary Hastings and Vicki Hastings; and nephew, Greg Hastings.
She is survived by her devoted and loving husband, Richard Cole; brother, Joel Hastings; sister Julia Davis; daughters, Donna Ibanez and Janice Blakely; son, Rick McBryde: 7 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and 4 nieces and nephews.
She will be missed by all whose lives she touched.
Memorial services will be held at 3 PM, Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Kerrville Church of Christ.
Bertha, Richard and daughter Donna moved to San Antonio in 1967. Another move in 1974 took them to Houston where they stayed until 1995. Bertha and Richard made the decision to settle in the Hill Country and landed in Kerrville. Throughout all these years and different cities, Bertha remained devoted to her faith, always finding a welcoming and close church family. She delighted in her church community and found fulfillment in various charitable works.
She and Richard shared a love of travel, both foreign and domestic. They saw the world in a way most people only dream of. Bertha may have been most at home in the first-class seat of an airplane enroute to an exotic destination. In their years together, she and Richard were able to visit 5 out of the 7 continents. Besides travelling, she enjoyed holidays with her large extended family in Wichita Falls, spending quiet evenings at home, attending church, and enjoying the company of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bertha was predeceased by her grandparents, Ida Prince and Pearl and Byrtle Hill; her parents, Bessie and Bill Hood, Willie and Ethel Hastings, and Oddy and Lawrence Shook; her eldest brother, Willie Fred Hastings; sisters-in-law, Rose Mary Hastings and Vicki Hastings; and nephew, Greg Hastings.
She is survived by her devoted and loving husband, Richard Cole; brother, Joel Hastings; sister Julia Davis; daughters, Donna Ibanez and Janice Blakely; son, Rick McBryde: 7 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and 4 nieces and nephews.
She will be missed by all whose lives she touched.
Memorial services will be held at 3 PM, Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Kerrville Church of Christ.
