Icelon Betty Cole

Icelon Betty Cole, daughter of Mabel and Walter Baker, was born on January 12, 1924 in Wilson, North Carolina. She departed this life on November 17, 2011 surrounded by her family. Icelon, lovingly known as “Big Mama” was educated in the Baltimore City Catholic Schools. She loved to run track and was the fastest girl in her school. Icelon told her children that she ran so fast that her feet hit her backside! An avid reader, she developed a zeal for learning and life. Icelon discovered her passion early in life- to be mother with a large family. That was her humble dream. Following the sudden death of her first husband, Icelon would find the love of her life and her dreams would come true. It was love at first sight for Arthur King Cole following a chance encounter with Icelon. He secretly got his sister to invite her to thanksgiving dinner. They were married in 1949. Through their union, she was blessed with the large family she always wanted. Family was her life and her life was her family. Her world was turned upside down when her husband passed in 1963. Suddenly, she was left to raise her nine children alone. Icelon’s humble prayer was for all her children to grow up and be productive citizens. In the spirit of support, relatives and friends offered to adopt some of her children. She chose to keep her family together. She realized through God all things are possible. Her late sister Amy Dennis taught her to drive and shortly thereafter she got her license. She was proud to drive her children to church every Sunday in her blue and White station wagon. Icelon was a simple yet remarkable woman. She was born Isolon, but as a young girl, changed her name to Icelon. “Icelon sounds better,” she declared. She had a special flair for dressing, tossing her scarf loosely around her neck, and strutting with confidence and pride like only she could. She loved to wear hats that made her short stature larger than life. “Big Mama” kept everything and everyone in the family together while making it seem easy. Her touch, her voice, her smile and her presence had a soothing quality. She was able to do all these things because of her faith and commitment to God. Icelon joined First Christian Community Baptist Church in Holabird in 1948. Icelon was a soloist and she loved to sing. Her favorite solo was, “It’s in My Heart.” She encouraged her children to sing and joined the church choirs. She was an active member of the missionary society for many years. Icelon was the business manager of the Humphrey Chorale Ensemble (Named in honor of the late Dr. Humphrey) from 1970 until she became ill. She coordinated the choir’s singing engagements and business affairs throughout the City and State of Maryland. It was her commitment and leadership that sustained the Humphrey Chorale Ensemble who mainly consists of her children and their spouses. She leaves to mourn: nine children, Alma, William, Rudolph, Ronnie, Icelon “Kitty”, Mary, Sharon, Karen, Kim; stepdaughter, Arthur Mae; like a daughter, Diana; grandchildren, Noel (Chante), Derrick (Danelle), Tara (Randall), Jeremiah, Dene, Keith Jr., Karl (LaNecia), Marquette “Mary” (Burley), Renaldo Jr., Remira, Ronnie Jr., Nia, Shatia, Ashley , Jonathan, Kayla and Kaitlyn; daughter-in-law, Barbara, Christine and Carolyn; sons-in-law, Keith Sr., John and Gary; great-grandchildren, Kavon, Karlyece, Kirsten, India, Tylea, Amaya and Arion; and a host of relatives and friends.

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Icelon Betty Cole

January 12, 1924 - November 17, 2011