my dear aunt mandy

 passed away on 13 december at 90 years of age, after a long & full life.

 

mandy was married to my mother's older brother leitch, who died too young, leaving her with 5 children to raise. often during my childhood, i spent time with mandy & her family in lily KY -- those times & that place became mythic to me. she was a real country woman (i mean that as highest praise), & in recent years we discovered a profound connection in the garden. her obit says she was a member of bethel united baptist church, but i know she was also a member of the church of digging in the dirt with your hands!

Amanda Gilbert Cole Steward
2 september 1917 - 13 december 2007


Amanda Cole Steward, 90, of Lily departed this life to enter her heavenly home on Thursday evening, December 13, 2007. A member of the Bethel United Baptist Church, she was a wonderful and enduring woman, quite aptly described in the Biblical book of Proverbs as “doing him good and not evil all the days of her life.”   

Born Sept. 2, 1917, she was the daughter of Wallace and Delia Moore Gilbert, both of whom preceded her in death.  From an early age, she demonstrated creative energy and learned the artistic skill of quilting and crocheting, as well as gardening and working with flowers.  Those pastimes, indeed, brought her much pleasure over the years.  Meanwhile, true to her nature, she shared the crafts she created, the garden produce she perennially raised, and the flowers she green-thumbed with those she loved. 

Her greatest joy, however, came from her patient roles as mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother.   Indeed, she spent her life showing her family the meaning of truly unselfish, unconditional love.   

Survivors include her loving five children: Bill Cole and wife Katherine of Lily, Letch (Bud) Cole and wife Linda of Lily, Bob Cole of Lily, Betty Sue Sparks and husband Bobby of Hamilton, Ohio, and Bonnie Hall of Lily; a stepson, T.G. Steward and wife Sandra of Indiana; four brothers: Jim Gilbert of Knox, Ind., Bechel Gilbert of Oolitic, Ind., Ken Gilbert of West Palm, Fla., and Voy Gilbert of Bedford, Ind.; one sister, Ruth Pace of Oolitic, Ind.; a daughter-in-law, Nellie Lue Cole of Lily; and a special aunt, Nollie Lawson of Keavy; as well as many other family members and friends, all who mourn her passing.   

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two husbands: Letch Cole and Ovid Steward; one grandson: Dennie C. Cole; two brothers: Burchel Gilbert and Stanley Gilbert; and one sister, Glennie Sutton. 

Funeral services were conducted at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007, in the Hart Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Steve Cole and Rev. Tim Philpot officiating.  Burial followed in the Taylor Cemetery with Rick Cole, Chadd Cole, Rob Cole, Marty Sparks, Bill Cole, and Josh Myers serving as pallbearers.  Named as honorary pallbearers were John Philpot, Donnie Philpot and Ken Lawson. 

The family of Amanda Cole Steward received friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Hart Funeral Home, located at 1011 Master Street in Corbin.

obituary published in the sentinel-echo, london KY

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 

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