Teresa "Terry" Pace Cole, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on August 11, 2026, at the age of 69.

Born in Charlottesville, Virginia, on December 16, 1956, Terry is survived by her loving husband, William Cole; children, Billy Cole, wife Karen, and Ben Cole, wife, Gabe; grandchildren, Carter Maydian, Gray Cole, Riley Maydian, Eva Cole, and Cameron Cole; mother, Linda T. Morris; siblings, Bonnie Kosco, Kim Haislip, Karen Denby, and Danny Pace and their families. Terry is preceded in death by her father, Daniel Wayne Pace.

Terry cherished her time as a teacher in Roanoke City Schools and dearly loved all of her students and colleagues.

The Cole Family would like to thank Good Samaritan Hospice for so lovingly caring for Terry in her final days.

Terry will be interred in Fork Union Memorial Cemetery during a private memorial service to be held at a later date.

Please consider donations in her honor to The Parkinson's Foundation.

Terry is best remembered in her own words and provided a letter in the event of her passing:

Last Thoughts from Terry Cole

"I'll See You There"

Please don't cry because I died. Please celebrate because I lived. I hope I made a difference in your lives, just as all of you made my life so special.

I have been so blessed to have the loving, supportive family that I do. My husband of 50 years, my two beloved sons, their supportive wives, my five terrific, talented, grandchildren, my parents, sisters, and brother - each of you are such a special blessing to me and I love you with all of my heart and soul. You have been the light of my life. I am so proud of all of you and I believe that you will go on to accomplish great things. Most importantly, remember to stay close as a family. Together a family can conquer any tragedy or hardship. I hope that your lives will be filled with sunshine, happiness, and love because that is what you all have brought to me. I pray that each of you knows how much I love you, how special you are, and how much you mean to me.

Of course I need to mention how important teaching was to me. Teaching defined who I was and made me who I am. There have been so many students who impacted my life in so many ways. I learned much more from them than they did from me. Every student that I taught, every teacher and administrator that I worked with - every one of you enriched my life in so many ways. I will always be proud and grateful that I was a teacher.

Please don't be filled with grief. That is not what I want for you. Know that I am in a happy place, a place with no suffering or pain. Know that I will be watching over you always, wanting the best for each of you. Know that I will see you all again.

Please don't cry because I died. Please celebrate because I lived.

I'll see you there!