Rita Antoinette Cole

     Rita Antoinette Cole, age 101, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Sunday, December 1, 2024, at Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor, St. Johns, MI.
     Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams officiating. Burial will take place at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, MI.
     Rita was born in Lafitte, LA on January 17, 1923, the daughter of Vincent Steven and Clothilde F. (Frickey) Dufrene. She lived all of her life in Louisiana and Michigan, but Louisiana was always "home".
     On January 8, 1943, Rita married Clifford Joseph Cole, Jr. at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Lafitte, Jefferson Parish, LA. They were blessed with 65 years of marriage prior to his passing on August 5, 2008.
     Rita was an avid gardener and enjoyed canning all that was produced. She loved to cook; her family loved her Gumbo. She liked to read and spent many hours watching birds, especially humming birds. Rita's faith was very important to her. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and faithfully said the rosary daily.
     Rita is survived by her daughter Rita Ann Burnham, granddaughter Kristi (Kevin) Kemp, grandson Chad Joseph (Shawndra) Burnham, great-grandchildren: Kaleb Kemp and Kaylee Kemp; four siblings: Vivian Curole, Melvin (Shirley) Dufrene, Joyce Elloitt, and Carroll Dufrene; and many nieces and nephews. Rita was preceded in death by her parents, husband Clifford, daughter Andrea Mary McDiarmid (1995), grandson Jason Steven Hine, five siblings: Gail (Richard) Michel, Irma (Fred) Gros, Shirley (Lawrence) Booth, Audrey (Howard) Soileau and Esther (Jeffray) Mayfield; and brother-in-law Milton Curole.
     Memorials may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society - 1009 S. US Highway 27, St. Johns, MI 48879. Online condolences for the family may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.