Charles Russell Cole "Tony Cole" was born on June 6, 1948, to Arabell Garner and Johnny Cole and raised by stepfather Frank Garner. All of them preceded him in death.

He attended Rowan Senior High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Shortly after high school, he was drafted into the United States military, where he served in the Army in Viet Nam.

After serving his country, he moved back to Hattiesburg where he had two children, a son, Bertram, who now lives in Hattiesburg and a daughter, Natasha, who preceded him in death.

Later in life, Tony settled in Lompoc, California, where he met his wife, Jacqueline D. Flowal. They married on February 19, 2000. They had lots of fun and traveled all up and down the highways. He was called home on January 8, 2008.

He leaves to cherish his memory, wife, Jacqueline Cole; son, Bertram Cole; three stepchildren, Donisha Thuko, Jamaal Felder, and Terrell Stubbfield; five sisters, Georgia, who preceded him in death, Thelma Johnson, Chilso, Dorothy Cole of San Bernardino, Geraldine McSwan of New Jersey, and Cheryl Garner of Mississippi; three brothers, Edward Johnson, Bobby Johnson, and Ronald Johnson; along with a host of nieces and nephew, in-laws, cousins, and grandchildren, who will greatly miss him.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 16, 2008, at Grace Temple Missionary Baptist Church. Private burial will follow on Thursday at Riverside National Cemetery. Viewing will be one hour prior to service time at the church. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary in Lompoc.