Laura Mae Cole, born Laura Mae Martin, was born on July 19, 1956 in Columbus, Mississippi, to the late Latt and Berth Martin. A vibrant, giving, and beautiful woman inside and out, Laura had a smile that could light up any room.

After graduating from Motley High School in Mississippi, she married her late husband, Eddie Clay, and together they moved to South Carolina while he served in the Army. In 1991, Laura met the love of her life, Eddie Cole, in Washington, DC. They shared a devoted marriage until her eternal departure on November 9, 2025.

Laura dedicated her career to healthcare, working at Georgetown Hospital before retiring from Children's Hospital in Washington, DC. Beyond her professional life, she loved cooking, shopping, attending church, playing Biz Wiz, Spades and an occasional Tunk, watching football and the news as she was a Commanders fan to the end, but most of all, spending time with her family and friends. In her later years, she was a faithful member of Resurrection Baptist Church in Silver Spring, MD, serving with devotion.

She is preceded in death by her brother, Willie James Harris.

She leaves behind her beloved husband, Eddie Cole, Sr., and her bonus children, Eddie Cole Jr., Zorena Cole, Khalia Haughton, and the late Tyrone Cole Sr. and Trina Cole; her grandchildren, include Jarell and Alante Partlow, Donell Hewlin, Zavier Reavenell, Tyrone Cole Jr., and Kyrie Cole; and her great- grandchildren, India, Kelsey, Shyne, Ellavonni, Alante Jr., and Amid.
Laura is also survived by her siblings, Mattie Verdell, Lonnie Douglas (Gloria), Larry Martin (Mary), Bobby Martin, Dwayne Martin, Melvin Martin, and Michael Martin and late brother, Issac Verdell; seventeen nieces and nephews; her aunts, Fannie Harris (Rufus), Dorothy Hill, Laura Belle Martin, for whom she was named after; uncles, Walter Martin and Jimmy Martin. She also leaves behind lifelong friends Jeannetta Faulk, Janie Evans, Sarah Reid, Pamela Blunt, Mary Dorsey and a host of other loving family and friends.

Laura's life was a testament to love, faith, and service. Though she has departed this world, her memory will remain forever cherished. Gone but never forgotten—may she rest in heaven for eternity.