Elder Robert “Bobby” David Cole, 88 was born under the union of Armie & Mary Cole on March 17, 1930 in Toledo, OH. The devoted father, grandfather, brother, & friend departed this life on March 23, 2018 with confirmation that all his family loved him. Born and raised in Toledo, OH, he was a 1949 graduate of Jesup W. Scott High School. While he was in high school, he worked at his mother’s business Mary’s Flower Shop where he created beautiful flower arrangements for any occasion. After he completed high School he was hired at National Supply where he worked alongside his father. In 2004 he graduated from The University of Toledo with his Associate of Technical Studies at the age of 74.

After National Supply went out of business, Robert was hired as the 1st African American insurance agent at Metropolitan Life insurance Company in Toledo. He was so good as a salesman for Metropolitan, that he earned a seat at the Millionaire’s Table which was the highest distinction for the company. After he retired from Metropolitan he took a job as a part-time Membership Services Salesman at the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium until he became too ill to work. Throughout his life Robert was an entrepreneur, and had his hands in many ventures. He owned his own dump trucks and worked with his brother-in-law LeRoy Dunlap at Dunlap Trucking. Robert was also a hero, receiving a medal from The City of Toledo for saving three children in a house fire on Tecumseh Ave.

Robert was baptized in Jesus name at an early age and he kept the Lord with him throughout his life. He began as a member of Emmanuel Apostolic Tabernacle under the late Bishop Ida M. Wright, where he was the bus driver. He and his brother Armie traveled to many conventions with Bishop Wright where he also sang and preached while Armie played the organ. When his mother founded Temple of Truth Apostolic on 19th street, he went to work in the ministry with her and took over the church after her death in 1984. He never hesitated to pick up the neighborhood children and bring them to church. His youngest son Stanford came to help him keep the church going as he continued to be a Solider in the Lord’s Army.
Robert met his former wife Hazel Cole (Moss) and they raised their four sons in their West Woodruff home. After their separation they remained friends as they moved forward in their lives. He later married his longtime friend Ann Cole who preceded him in death. Robert was a friendly, open, & an honest man who was liked by many. Robert may be absent from the body, but he is now present with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Robert was preceded in death by his Wife Ann Cole; loving parents Armie & Mary Cole; Brothers, Armie Cole Jr., and Norman Cole; Sister, Doris Calloway. He leaves to cherish in his loving memory four sons Reginald Sr. (Deborah) of Columbus, Oh, Rodney (Mary) of Indianapolis, IN, Darrell (Terrina), and Stanford; Brother, Samuel (Sonny) Cole; Sister, Rosemary Spencer; 8 grandchildren, Paris, Jason (Jennifer), Reginald Jr., Shealaurietta (Donnell), Erika, Roxsanne, Angelina, & Christina; 10 great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives who loved him dearly.

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