Mary Sue Madison Cole was born on July 16, 1928, to Alex David Madison and Ecria Lee Butler Madison. She was united in marriage to Clifford Franklin Cole on October 23, 1948.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 49 years, and 5 siblings, Lucille Blackburn, Ruby Wellman, Willard Madison, Opal Rodery, and Wendell Madison. One son-in-law Gale Kegley and one daughter-in-law Linda Brown.

She is survived by her six children—Connie Kegley, Jim Cole, Leigh Cole, Joe Cole (Tracy), Suzie Morris (Roger), and John Cole (Lynae)—as well as 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves a special family of Janet Cowgur, Kenna Dennis, and Nathalie Burr.

She was an active lifetime member of the Methodist church where she taught Sunday school and was president of the Methodist Ladies Guild. She oversaw the Methodist Cookbook and the Chili Bazaar.

Mary Sue wore many hats in the community. She was a bookkeeper for Cole Oil Company, a golfer, a bridge player, chairperson for the Clay County Democratic Central Committee, and a Boy Scout mom. She believed in supporting local businesses and bought local when possible.

She was an excellent pie maker and many people requested either a crust for a pie or for a whole pie on many occasions.

The family would like to express their heart felt gratitude to the Legacy Hospice Staff for their assistance over the past several weeks. She would never have lived to the young age of 97 without the dedication of the Piggott Hospital and Home Health staff over the years.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 1:00 pm at the First Methodist Church of Piggott in Piggott, Arkansas, with Joe Cole officiating. Burial is in Piggott Cemetery in Piggott, Arkansas. Pallbearers will be Brad Cole, Jonathan Cole, Justin Cole, Cole Baldwin, Alex Baldwin, Daniel Baldwin, Jake Skinner, Chandler Tipton, and Conner Guntharp.

Visitation is Friday from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm in First Methodist Church of Piggott in Piggott, Arkansas.

Hoggard & Sons Funeral Home of Piggott, Arkansas, is in charge of the arrangements.