Mildred
Bryant Cole
Mildred “Midge” Bryant Cole (Johnson) 83, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2022, in Tucson, Ariz. She was born June 28, 1938, in Pleasant Ridge, Ken.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 9, at the Elgin Elementary School in Sonoita, Ariz.
Midge moved from Kentucky to Globe, Ariz., in 1945 with her family so her older brother could recover in the desert from tuberculosis. The family eventually settled in Superior, Ariz., where she had fond memories of growing up and attending school. She graduated high school in 1955 with honors. Also in 1955, she married Richard Maine, making their home in Superior. She drove every day to Tempe where she attended ASU. She graduated four years later, again with honors, receiving a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
She began her teaching career in Superior as an elementary school teacher and then took positions in Globe and Miami, Ariz. During this 16-year period, she picked up a Reading Specialist Endorsement and Master’s degree from the University of Arizona.
In 1967, they adopted son Richard “Richie”, in 1968 their son Paul was born, followed by Roy in 1969, and John in 1971. In 1973, Midge and Richard divorced making her a single mom to four rambunctious boys.
She received her principal’s certificate from ASU and started applying for jobs everywhere in Arizona. She applied and interviewed in Holbrook, Ariz., and was eventually offered the position as principal of Pitman Elementary School. Holbrook was not at all her first choice, but it was a job and in 1975 not many places wanted to hire a female administrator. Holbrook turned out to be a great place to work and raise her family and offered many great opportunities for her and the boys.
In the late 70’s, she was given the task of helping in the planning and designing of the new Park Elementary School. She was very instrumental in getting Park School from concept to fully furnished and staffed. To Midge, Park School was very personal; it was her school, and the staff and students were her family. She loved her entire career in education but considered her 16 years in Holbrook as a principal the most rewarding. She went back to school one more time to earn her superintendent’s certificate from NAU. She remained a principal until her retirement in 1991, completing 32 years in education.
Midge was a member of the First Baptist Church in Holbrook serving in many roles and in several teaching positions. She served the longest as a Sunday school teacher for ladies, who like herself, attended church alone. Her focus was using her skills to teach and mentor the ladies in their faith.
Being a single mom raising four active boys by herself was not easy and often proved to be quite challenging. However, she would say that her favorite time in her life was raising her boys in Holbrook. She made sure her boys came first and worked hard at supporting the family, eventually taking an evening job as a professor for NAU.
For many years she taught education classes throughout Navajo County to supplement her income. But life was not all work! The family spent many weekends every summer camping in the White Mountains and Midge made sure that a big family road trip to explore various parts of the country happened every year. Vacations were never extravagant, but always included the activities that the boys would enjoy most, even if the trip was heading back to her beloved Kentucky.
In 1987, with all but one kid out of the house, Midge met Jim Cole of Joseph City, Ariz., and started a yearlong courtship. They married at the First Baptist Church in 1988. This was the start of a 20-year adventure for Midge. Jim was an amazing partner and a true gentleman and soulmate. They had a great time together and developed grand retirement plans to relocate and build a new home big enough to accommodate their combined eight kids and all the grandkids that came with them.
In 1991, however, Midge had her greatest setback in life when she lost her 24-year-old son Richie following a year-long illness. With a broken heart and her strong faith, she moved forward. Midge and Jim eventually built their dream home in the small town of Sonoita where they enjoyed their retirement together raising horses, dogs, cats, and grandkids.
In retirement, Midge still wanted to be active so she continued her NAU teaching and found ways to serve her new community. She served the Sonoita area by volunteering with the Elgin school, Elgin Club, fair grounds, and the VFW. Throughout her life she had a strong pride in America and was a great patriot. As a teacher and principal, she made sure her students knew how great this country is. In her retirement, she organized and led events in the community to honor veterans and local heroes.
Midge and Jim were founding members of the Sonoita Hills Community Church where Jim served in various roles until his death in 2008. Midge continued to serve in various leadership roles through 2021.
As her health declined in recent years, she would reluctantly give up church responsibilities, but she maintained teaching her ladies Bible study till the very end. Teaching was her lifelong passion. Teaching God’s word was an honor and a privilege, she spent a great amount of time weekly preparing for her ladies Bible study.
She suffered from poor health in recent years, but did not stop serving or loving those around her. She also did not complain about her situation. She will be greatly missed by friends and family alike.
She is survived by sons, Paul (Kim) Maine, Roy Maine and John (Ruby) Maine; stepdaughters, Sue Cole and Connie (Gary) Cole; and stepson, Jim (Michele) Cole. Between Midge and Jim, they have 15 grand kids, 26 great-grand kids, and 2 great-great-grandkids. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Guy and Christine Bryant; her brothers, Guy Bryant and Paul Bryant; her sister, Martha Jean Crutchfield; her husband, James Cole; her son, Richard Maine; and stepdaughter, Anna Taylor.
In lieu of flowers donations could be made in honor of Midge to the Sonoita Hills Community Church, PO Box 98, Sonoita, Ariz., 85637.
