Dr. Beatrice Motley Cole

Legacy of Life Dr. Beatrice Viola Tyler Motley Cole, B.A., B.Th., M.Div., Ed.D., Ph.D. “I AM A LIVING TESTIMONY” was the daily affirmation of Beatrice Motley Cole. The life she lived was exemplary of her affirmation. She strived daily to be the expressed example of Holy Living. Dr. Beatrice Motley Cole, transitioned from this life after a brief illness on Monday, January 27, 2020 at the proud age of 91 years. She bid her children good-bye and then reached to the heavens and announced her readiness to enter into her rest. Beatrice Viola Tyler was born in Newport News, VA on February 16, 1928 to Guiser Alexander and Lola Armstead Tyler. She would be the first daughter and third child of her parent’s six children. She is a widow of Joseph Motley, Sr. for 16 years and Cooper G. Cole for 32 years. A mother of 14 children of which she gave birth to eight and reared four from their childhood. Twelve of the children have attended and or earned college degrees. She was a graduate of Huntington High School, Newport News, VA and later earned a certificate from Smith Madden Business College and Richard Bland College. She was employed as a secretary to the President at Southern Aid Life Insurance Company, Richmond, VA and retired after 26 years from Defense General Supply Center, Richmond, VA. In the community, she served as Vice Chairman on the Board of Social Services, Charles City, VA. She matriculated through Richmond Virginia Seminary where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Theology, Religious Education and a Master of Divinity Degree. She earned a doctoral degree in Christian Education and a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from University of Family Bible Seminary, Baltimore, MD. Other notable educational accomplishments were a certificate in Adult Education (Virginia State University) and Christian Education (Virginia Union University). She developed the Missionary Auxiliary and Awareness Institute (MAAI) which was a training initiative for Missionaries in the Historic First Jurisdiction of the Churches of God in Christ of Virginia. She also created a curriculum for the New Beginnings Bible Institute and in her latter days she earned certification through the State of Virginia Department of Education for a Bible College, After School Program and G.E.D. program. She became a member of First Baptist Church, Newport News, VA at an early age and remained until she married and moved to Richmond at age 21. She joined State Temple COGIC under the pastorship of Bishop David C. Love which later became Community COGIC. At the time of her transition she was a loyal member at New Beginnings Ministry under the pastorship of her son, Elder Alexander Motley Sr. where she served as Church Mother. Through the years, she also faithfully served in many offices on the local, district, state, and national platforms. Those positions include organist, choir director, local and state minister of music serving over a span of 60 years. In the teaching ministry, Dr. Cole has been District Sunday School Superintendent, District Missionary, Curriculum Specialist of the State Women’s Department COGIC, instructor for the C.H. Mason Bible College, member of the Examining Board, State Women’s Department and a State Mother Adjutant. Through Church of God in Christ International of which she was a Charter member for 63 years, she was awarded the “National Woman of Achievement” award by the 1996 National District Missionary Unit. She was a loving Mother with a gentle spirit and having a loving kind word for everyone she encountered. With her family, as quiet as it was kept, she was a hidden comedian. Her gift of healing became her ministry in addition to prophetic writings. As a musician, teacher, and writer, she mentored others in the same capacity to maturity. She was very fashionable and a connoisseur of quality clothing and head appeal! No matter what the situation or challenge, she would depend and trust in the power of God to guide her through it while praising him all the way. After a solemn peaceful request, God granted her the desire of her heart to go home and she readied herself by repeatedly requesting that we put on her shoes. Dr. Beatrice Motley Cole was preceded in death by her two loving husbands, Joseph Motley, Sr. and Cooper G. Cole, her parents and six siblings. She leaves cherished memories to her children; Gary Cole (Fay), Joseph Motley, Jr., Larry Cole (Naomi), Michael Motley, Sr. (Billie), Pamela Motley McMullen (Wilbur), Deborah Motley Boldin, Sheila Fowlkes, Carrie Lloyd, Alexander Motley, Sr. (Sandra), Wayne Motley, Sr. (Cassandra), Sabra Green (Frank), Monica Thomas (Allan), Ervin Cole (Kristin), Carol Cole Vergara (Rafael), 42 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren. In addition, her spiritual daughters Sister Della Wilson, District Missionary Linda Hawkins and Evangelist Missionary Barbara Olds, god-daughters and god-sons, mentees and a host of relatives and friends, among them her longtime friends LaVerne Gwathney and Hilda Burnett.

Tributes

Dr. Beatrice Motley Cole

February 16, 1928 - January 27, 2020