Barbara Louise Cole

Barbara Louise Cole, 86, formerly of the Columbia and Jefferson City area, passed away  peacefully at NHC Healthcare in St. Charles, Missouri, surrounded by loved ones on  Sunday, June 7, 2026. 

Barbara was born on January 28, 1940, in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Jacob and  Mamie (Hunt) Keller. 

Barbara’s profession was primarily accounting, a field in which she worked for many years,  including at the Capitol Building in Jefferson City. She retired from the Missouri  Department of Conservation and also worked at Scholastic, which fed her love of reading. 

Barbara was a very talented seamstress whose skills ranged from hemming a pair of  trousers to making bridesmaids’ dresses for formal weddings. She also operated her own  sewing business out of her home. After retirement, she volunteered with several senior  centers and mentored schoolchildren. 

Barbara had a lifelong love of music. She began singing with a barbershop quartet at an  early age and also learned to play the piano. Her musical tastes ranged from Waylon  Jennings to Rachmaninoff. She taught country dance classes and performed with local  choirs. 

Barbara’s love of animals led her to operate her own dog kennel, specializing in Cocker  Spaniels and Beagles. She loved to travel and was fortunate to visit all 50 states and  several foreign countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, and  countless others. 

Barbara had a huge and generous heart and never hesitated to take someone under her  wing and do whatever was needed to make that person’s life a little better. 

Survivors include her sister, Ruth Jones of Texas; two sons, Keith Cole (Renna) of  Hartsburg, Missouri, and Travis Cole (Tara) of Columbia, Missouri; and one daughter, Maria  Curry (Dale) of Gladstone, Missouri. 

She is also survived by four grandchildren: Justin Cole (Dacia), Melissa Johann (Ryan),  Brandon Cole, and Kaleb Reed; and five great-grandchildren: Victoria and Franklin Cole,  Kennedy and Harrison Johann, and Mason Wright. 

Barbara was preceded in death by her son, Robert Cole (Patsy), and her husband of more  than 30 years, LeRoy Cole. 

A private service will be attended by family, followed by a Celebration of Life.

To plant a tree in memory of Barbara Louise Cole, please visit our Tribute Store.