Tim was born on April 24, 1964 in Atlanta, GA, but lived his entire life in Blue Ridge, GA. He was the delight of his family and never ceased to bring love and joy to his family and friends. In the 1960’s, the birth of a baby with Down syndrome was considered a family tragedy, but this precious little boy, who would remain a child for life, was a gift from God who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew him. Tim was a funny, kind and gentle little guy who loved life and his family. Tim loved children and taking part in anything fun. He loved to eat his favorite foods and he especially like playing anything that involved a ball. Tim was always ready for an adventure and family car trips were a favorite of his – made even better when he got to “ride shotgun.”
When the Special Care Center, the first of its kind for local children with developmental disabilities, opened its doors in Blue Ridge in 1973, Tim was enrolled as one of its first students. Five years later, the SCC evolved into the Mineral Springs Center. With the exception of a few years when he was mainstreamed in public school, Tim attended Mineral Springs Center without interruption until 2018. He was the last remaining student from the original class of the Special Care Center.
Tim was preceded in death by his parents Charles Dugger Cole and Evangeline Mull Cole, of Blue Ridge, and grandparents, Olin Leslie Cole and Ada Turner Cole, of McCaysville, GA and Horace Mull and Minnie Barnes Mull, of Blue Ridge.
Tim is survived by his sister, Gail Cole (Barry) Timmerman of Augusta, GA, and by his brother, Charles (Linda) Cole of Cumming, GA. Survivors also include nephews, Benjamin Jackson and Cole Jackson of Augusta, Taylor (Jamie) Cole, of Cumming, a niece, Allyson Cole (Austin) Baker of Gainesville, GA, step-nephews, Alex (Brooke) Sapp of Macon, GA and Kevin Sapp of Cumming, and a great-niece, Madison Cole of Cumming. Tim is also survived by two aunts and numerous cousins.
The family is extremely thankful for the tender, loving care and home provided to Tim by Mrs. Mary Baker with whom Tim had lived since 2013.
The funeral will be held at the Chapel of Akins Funeral Home in Blue Ridge on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 1:00 pm with the Reverends Taylor Cole and Minister Butch Jones officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11:00am until the hour of the service. Pallbearers will be Barry Timmerman, Ben Jackson, Cole Jackson, Alex Sapp, Kevin Sapp, and Austin Baker. Interment will be at Chastain Memorial Park immediately following the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Zion Hill Baptist Church, Cumming (Building Fund) or to First Baptist Church, Augusta (Debt Retirement Fund).