Mary Cole Maples
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Columbia, SC - Mary Cole Maples, 84, passed away on Saturday, January 29, 2022. She was born October 9, 1937, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She was the daughter of Jeptha Newton Cole and Mae Cameron Cole.
Mary is a 1959 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi where she majored in Institutional Management. After graduation, she was commissioned in the United States Army. She received her commission in the United States Army at Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. She completed her dietetic internship and was honorably discharged as First Lieutenant in the Army in 1962. Mary gained a wide range of experience in clinical and administrative dietetics while working at U.S. Army Hospital, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Wesley Hospital, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Parkland Hospital, Dallas, Texas; Harris Hospital, Fort Worth, Texas; U.S. Naval Hospital, Beaufort, South Carolina, and the Dorn Veterans Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina. Mary was a registered dietician and served as the Chief Administrative Dietician at the Dorn VA Hospital for 17 years before she retired in 1999.
Mary was an active member of First Baptist Church, Columbia, SC, where she taught adult Sunday School classes for many years. She was passionate about sharing the love of Jesus Christ with everyone she knew. Mary went on mission trips to Brazil and Greece and was a true example of servanthood and grace. She had a contagious, unyielding confidence in God and the desire of her heart was that her children and grandchildren would follow Jesus. She was adored by her five grandchildren who loved their "Memaw."
Mary is survived by her three children, Paul Maples, Nancy Maples Cordova, Martha Maples Davis (Matthew); grandchildren, Ellen Cordova, Meredith Cordova, Cole Davis, Wade Davis, and Heath Davis, sisters Flora Cole Holifield (Robert), Ruby Cole Austin (Tom), brother Hugh Cole (Jane) and sister-in-law Kathy Cole (John).
Mary was predeceased by her sister Lena Cole Lee (Jack) and brother John Cole.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Columbia, SC TV Ministry. (fbccola.com)
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., February 2, 2022, at Boyce Chapel, First Baptist Church, 1306 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201.
Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.