Lorita Kay Cole
October 18, 1937 - July 4, 2025
Lorita Kay Cole died July 4, 2025 at Beadles New Beginnings in Alva, Oklahoma, at the age of 87.
“Ms. Rita” Cole was born on October 18, 1937, in Danville, Kansas, to Glenn Isaac Coslett and Ruth Jennie Fowler. She was raised in Wichita, Kansas, where she attended school and graduated from Wichita East High School in 1956. Following her education, she began working at Boeing as a timekeeper runner.
While working at Boeing, she met Jack Oakley. They were married in 1957 in Wichita, and to their union four children were born: Karla, Jackie, Mark, and Kim. The family later moved to Spokane, Washington. They returned to Oklahoma in 1964.
On August 31, 1979, Rita married Bob Cole in Las Vegas, Nevada. They settled on Bob’s farm, where he continued farming. Rita supported him in every way she could. Bob retired from farming in 2002, and the couple moved to Blackwell, Oklahoma, shortly thereafter.
While living in Blackwell, Rita worked at Braum’s and at Roberts & Son Funeral Home. She was a member of the Blackwell Church of Christ. Rita enjoyed visiting with family and friends, tending to her flower garden, and most of all, attending the annual Coslett Family Reunion held each July.
She is survived by her daughters, Karla Martens and her husband, Blaine, of Crescent, Oklahoma; and Kim Stelling and her husband, Randy, of Alva, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Chelsea Robinson and her husband, Scott, of Fairview, Oklahoma; Chauncey Mallory of Fairview, Oklahoma; Cody Stelling and his wife, Merilee, of Wichita, Kansas; Trey Stelling and his wife, Timara, of Goldsby, Oklahoma; and Alissa Stelling and her partner, Jesse Fowler, of Newcastle, Oklahoma; great-grandchildren, Mallory Reames, Wiggley Robinson, Andon, Brennon, Kinder, and Lettie Mallory, Addison, Cooper, Brooks, and Emerson Stelling; brother-in-law, Earl Coffman of Nixa, Missouri; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews whom she adored, including Keith and Sandra Reynolds, Shari and Jesse Lamunyon, Yvonne and Jack Amy, Bobby and Julie Coslett, Lonnie and Lisa Coslett, Glen and Gail Coffman, Ronnie Reynolds, and Lori Reynolds.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Jackie; her son, Mark; her husband, Bob Cole; her sister, Willadean; and brothers- and sisters-in-law, Verle and Jean Ann Coslett, Kenneth and Colleen Coslett, and Ruth and Ken Pettit; and a nephew, Terry Pettit.
Casketbearers are Andon Jack Mallory, Cody Stelling, Trey Stelling, Cooper Stelling, Jesse Lamunyon, and Sage Lamunyon. Honorary Casketbearers are Keith Reynolds, Bobby Coslett, Lonnie Coslett, Glenn Coffman, Ronnie Reynolds, and Jack Amy.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rita’s honor to the Beadles New Beginnings in Alva, Oklahoma, or to the Blackwell Church of Christ.
Public Visitation will be held Wednesday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, and on Thursday from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm.
Funeral Services will be held 10:00 am, Friday, July 11, 2025, in the Roberts' Chapel, with Rev. Matthew Smith of the Immanuel Baptist Church officiating.
Burial to follow at Mt. Olive Cemetery, in Nardin, Oklahoma.
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