Mark M. Cole, 75, of Murphy passed away Monday, January 16, 2017.  He was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County. Mark was a 1960 graduate of Murphy High School. He had worked for Townson Lumber Company before becoming superintendent of Public Works for the Town of Murphy, where he retired in 1993. Mark was a member of the Cherokee Masonic Lodge #146, and a member of Murphy Second Baptist Church. Mark liked antique cars, racing, hunting, fishing, and loved his kids and grandkids.

He was the son of the late Clyde Asbury and Deener Geneva Teague Cole. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Jimmy Cole.

Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Shirley Wilcox Cole; two daughters, Deborah Cole Murphy, and Dianna Cole Roper and husband, Timothy, all of Murphy; a son, Dwayne Cole and wife, Becky of Murphy; two sisters, Margaret Lunsford and husband, Hoyt of Marble, and Katherine Dailey of Murphy; four grandchildren, Brodie Murphy, Braley Murphy, Mikala Roper, and Mia Cole; a great granddaughter, Taylor Burt; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at 2 PM Wednesday, January 18, 2017 in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy with Revs. Tony Ware and Gerald Derreberry officiating. Interment was in Sunset Cemetery. Pallbearers were David Worley, Ethan Banner, Ian Hedrick, Braden Hedrick, Kevin Roper, and Jeff Bond.

The family received friends from 6-8 Tuesday evening, January 17 at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of arrangements.