Avean Wayne Cole was born June 23, 1934, in Smithville, Monroe County, Mississippi, to Joseph Dee and Mary Elizabeth Moore Cole, who also were the parents of Wayne’s older brother, Stanley, all of whom preceded him in death.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Mary Vines Cole, two sons; Robert Allen of Redfield, AR, and Michael Stuart (Yvonne) of Panama City, FL, by his first wife, Faye Nance Cole, who preceded him in death, another son and two daughters whom he inherited and welcomed into his heart and life through his marriage to Mary: Susie Tucker East and Candy Tucker Brown, both of Clinton, MS and Jonathan Tucker (Memrie) of Starkville, a total of 12 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren (a 4th anticipated in February), a niece, Debbie Cole Capps along with many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Upon graduation from Itawamba Junior College, Wayne served in the US Marine Corp for 6 years and was selected to serve as a Marine One pilot commissioned to White House detail during the administration of President Dwight David Eisenhower. After his military discharge, Wayne continued to serve in the Marine Reserves and then with the Army National Guard unit out of Tupelo, MS, until his military retirement. Wayne earned a degree from Mississippi State University before earning a ‘double’ Ph.D. from Iowa State University. His first employment was with Wisconsin State University prior to his employment with MSU. Wayne was Professor Emeritus (teaching and research) in Weed Science and Plant Pathology at Mississippi State University until his retirement in 1995.

Wayne has been a believer from a young age and a member of the following Baptist churches: First Baptist Church for many years where he served faithfully as a Sunday School teacher/worker of two-year olds for about a decade, Starkville Community Church, and lastly Emmanuel Baptist Church since 2006 where he has served as an alternate adult Sunday School teacher, Greeter, and as Deacon and Elder.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 10, 2017 between the hours of 2:00-4:00 PM at Welch Funeral Home in Starkville, MS. Services will be Monday, December 11, 2017 at 2:00 PM with viewing at 1:00 PM at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 4211 Old Hwy. 12, Starkville, MS, conducted by Kenny Hodges and Hilton (Butch) Simmons.

In lieu of Flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Smile Train, 41 Madison Avenue, 28th floor, New York, NY 10010 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN 38105 or Emmanuel Baptist Church, 4211 Old Hwy. 12, Starkville, MS 39759.