S. Virginia Cole-Scarbrough

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

S. Virginia Cole-Scarbrough

Aug. 5, 1933 - April 8, 2017

TRENTON, Neb. — S. Virginia Cole-Scarbrough passed away at her home Saturday, April 8, 2017.

Virginia was born Aug. 5, 1933, to Lloyd and Mildred (Evans) Thomas in Trenton, Neb., the eighth of nine children. She graduated from Trenton High School in 1951.

On May 26, 1951, Virginia was united in marriage to Joseph N. Cole at the United Methodist Church in Trenton. To this union six children were born: Joleen, Jan, Joseph, Jerilyn, James and Jonathan. Virginia and Joe farmed with his family south of Trenton until 1960, when they moved their family to Denver, Colo. Virginia was an avid participant in her children’s school and church activities. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority for many years and held several offices within the organization.

Virginia was employed with JHB Imports as a bookkeeper and as a para-professional with the Denver Public Schools. Virginia was active in the Trenton High School reunion committee. In 1982, Virginia and Joe returned to Trenton. They built a home west of Trenton with the help of their sons. After Joe passed away in 1984, Virginia began a career with Hitchcock County News in Trenton where she was business manager and co-publisher. She retired July 31, 1998, after 12 and a half years with the newspaper.

On Sept. 26, 1992, Virginia married Gary Scarbrough at the home of Joe and Jill Cole in Jackson Hole, Wyo. They enjoyed traveling together and working in their yard. They spent their evenings enjoying the pond Gary built as they shared the events of their day. Virginia had a passion for gardening and tending to her beautiful variety of flowers. She also enjoyed creating cakes for every occasion, including countless wedding cakes. Her life revolved around her family and each grandchild brought wonder and joy to her life. Virginia was a blessing to all who knew her with her quick smile, contagious laughter and twinkling eyes. She was an inspiration to her family and will be forever loved and missed.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Joseph Cole; her parents; brothers, Wayne, Gene, Delbert, Ted and Delynn Thomas; sisters, Aileen Dye, Emma Mae Tramp and Loretta Boyd; father- and mother-in-law, Clarence and Myrtle Cole; and an infant grandson.

Virginia is survived by her husband, Gary Scarbrough; daughters, Joleen Reeder and Jan Cole of Trenton, Jerilyn Cole of Benkelman; sons, Joseph (Jill) Cole of Trenton, James (Zulema) Cole of Enid, Okla., and Jonathan Cole of Trenton; step-daughters, Tammy S.(Richie) Wickizer of Culbertson and Traci (Brook) Wilkison of Arapahoe; grandchildren, Michael (Marcie) Carter and Michelle Carter Sydow, all of Casper, Wyo., Jason McKinley of Arvada, Colo., Jessica McKinley of Trenton, Cole (Hope) Schilke of Stratton, Jennell Cole Homma (Masato) of Aurora, Colo., Jackie Cole Drain (Wes) of Stratton, Josi Cole Cook (Trent) of Culbertson, Patricia (Shawn) Barry Cordsen of Greenwood Village, Colo., Cammren Cole of Brighton, Colo., and Dillon Cole of Keenesburg, Colo.; 20 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter. She is also survived by brother-in-law, Kenneth Cole, sisters-in-law, Delores Graff, Regina Thomas, Norma Cole and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Saturday, March 15, 2017, at 10:30 a.m., at the Church of God in Trenton with Pastor Jason Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Cornell Cemetery. The casket will be closed at Virginia’s request.

Friends may sign the guest register at Herrmann-Jones Chapel in Trenton on Friday, April 14, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friends may leave online condolences at herrmannfh.com.

Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.