Alberdie Mae Cottee Cole, known as Berda, left this world for a better place after a courageous battle with cancer on Thursday, August 15, 2024.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving and devoted husband, Kenneth Norman Cole, Sr., her children, Kenneth Norman Cole, Jr. (Susan), Charles Thomas Akins, Renea Suttle, and Marguerite Pastella (Timothy) and eight grandchildren, Aaron Akins, Emily Akins, Katelyn Berry, Lacie Hildebrand, Sallie Miles, Savannah Suttle, Billy Cole and Hannah Cole and six great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, John Thomas Cottee, Sr. and Lessie Williams Cottee, a daughter, Debbie Hildebrand, and her brothers, Alfred Cottee, and John Cottee, Jr.
As a young girl, Berda was fortunate to work alongside her Mother folding bandages for the wounded at the large Red Cross Center in support of the World War II effort.
She began a Civil Service career after graduating from Botetourt High School for the Army at Fort Eustis.
She left Civil Service to raise her family, settling in the Dandy neighborhood of Yorktown. During this period, she began volunteering with the Red Cross again–this time in Yorktown. As the children grew, she accepted a permanent position with the Red Cross, advancing to Assistant Executive Director. She was proud of her service in many programs that enriched the lives of individuals and families, such as first aid, blood drives and swimming instruction. Eventually, Berda returned to her Civil Service career at Fort Monroe and after years of service retired there in 1991.
She and Kenny set about building what they thought would be their forever home in Lanexa and lived there for several years, continuing their church membership at Seaford Baptist. Ultimately, their ties of church family and friends proved too strong and they sold the Lanexa house and built in Seaford. At Seaford Baptist, Berda sang in the choir, participated in the prayer chain ministry and worked in the kitchen to fill an empty spot left by the death of her good friend, Juanita Littlefield.
Berda’s was a life of service to her family, friends and community. She was a natural caregiver, knowing what the person needed even when they didn’t. She will be sorely missed.
Expressions of sympathy should be directed to the Seaford Baptist Church Pantry Fund.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 in Seaford Baptist Church. Burial will be private in Peninsula Memorial Park.
