Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 5-12-17

Local
Well-Known Businesswoman And Salon Owner:
Matriarch Of The Cole Family Is Remembered
Retirement Celebration Planned For Popular Educator
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Monday, May 15th, members of the community will gather for a celebration. The retirement celebration for Henry “Shake” Wash- ington, Sr., will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., in the auditorium at Middleton High School, 4801 N. 22nd Street.
A Tampa native, Wash- ington attended the public schools of Hillsborough County. While attending Middleton High School, Washington earned the nickname of “Shake” as an athlete.
After graduating from col- lege, Washington returned to Hillsborough County and launched his career that spanned 42 years. Washing- ton will officially retire on July 1, 2017.
During his tenure as an educator, Washington rose through the ranks of the Hillsborough County School District.
After being promoted to principal, Washington was appointed to serve as the first
HENRY WASHINGTON ... Retiring after 42 years of service
principal for the new Middle- ton High School on January 8, 2002. The new facility opened in August 2002. He was later promoted to the po- sition of Area Director.
Washington is married to Mrs. Cheryl Byrd Washington, who is also a retired Hillsborough County Educator. He is the father of two adult children, Henry Washington, Jr., and Dr. JaMia Washington. The family worships at Allen Temple A. M. E. Church.
The celebration is free and open to the public.
A former hair stylist and businesswoman who built her career with her life partner/hus- band, Robert, slipped away from her family and their friends on Monday, May 8, 2017, 6:09 a. m.
Mrs. Madelyne Gertrude Cooper Cole
was 90 years old. She was described by a neigh- borhood crush as “absolutely beautiful” when he saw her for the first time in early 1940.
Like her mother Gertrude Williams, Madelyn was a product of Sulphur Springs, and her father, Willie Cooper was of King Street, South Carolina.
Madelyne’s journey and life was primarily shared with her husband of 75 years, Robert L. Cole, who remembers having a crush when seeing her on the way to church service. On June 1, 1941, Madelyne and Robert were married.
Supporting her husband’s opportunities in South Carolina, New York and eventually Cali- fornia, Madelyne proved to be, a motivator, strategist and opportunist. Madelyne, a mother of two, James and Tony, was offered an opportunity to have her hair styled in a local salon. She would later become a stylist and op- erate her own shop in Tampa.
She and her husband became employees of Douglass Aircraft and began saving for their fu- ture back in Tampa.
Eventually returning home to Tampa, Madelyne and Robert took the advice of a local street personality named Pete, to build their business in the front and home in the back of their shop.
Over 50 years later with various barber-
MR. AND MRS. ROBERT (MADELYNE COOPER) COLE
shops and businesses established, including in East Tampa, Busch Gardens area and at Tampa International Airport, the Sulphur Springs girl proved to be more than a pretty face.
“People will give me the credit,” said Robert Cole, who has been recognized through the years as a business pioneer and community activist. However, “Madelyne was the business leader who shared in many deci- sions. She is responsible for us being in real-es- tate,” said Robert.
“A woman of God, a wife, a mother and businesswoman.”
Additional information regarding Mrs. Cole’s homegoing service will be provided in the future as arrangements are being made for May 20, 2017 with Aikens Funeral Home.
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