Williamsburg Resident Marie Cole Turns A Century Old

The year 1924 saw the Statue of Liberty declared a National Monument, the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Ford Motor Company manufacturing the ten millionth automobile, and the birth of Ethel "Marie" (Kensinger) Cole born on November 9.

This past Saturday, she celebrated her 100th birthday with her family and friends. 

Cole was born in Fredericksburg as the first daughter of Earl and Susie (Snowberger) Kensinger. 

She had three older brothers and two younger sisters. 

"We lived on a farm," Cole said. "I was always very active, as I had to keep up with my older brothers. More challenges and work were being the oldest girl."

Her favorite subject in school was spelling and she remembered being ahead of the class.

She graduated from Bean Hill High School in 1942. 

Cole was married twice. First, she was married to Edgar "Ed" Bush Jr., and they had three children Rickey, Daryl, and Carla.

Ed was a Gunner's Mate in 3D class in the Navy when they were married.  After his discharge, the family moved all over, including California, Ohio and Indiana.

Cole remembers her time in at a five and ten store in San Diego, where she was a cosmetics sales lady.

"They snatched me up right away selling cosmetics," she said.

Cole and Ed divorced in 1957. She then married Lamar David (Jack) Cole in 1958, who adopted her three children shortly after.

He was a self-employed long-haul truck driver. Throughout their marriage, they moved around Indiana, before settling into farming and retired life. Cole worked the A&P as a checker, before her retirement in 1982. 

She said one of her favorite historical moments was seeing the Aurora Borealis when she was a sophomore in high school.

"I was the only one impressed by it, that was something to see," Cole said. "I sat by the window all night and watched it." 

She also remembers the inauguration of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

"I was really into history at the time," Cole said.

She also recalled President John F. Kennedy's assassination.

"That was a sad time," Cole said.

The radio was popular during her younger years and enjoyed listening to country music and Elvis Presley. 

"I've seen him play many times, I never missed seeing him," she said.

Cole's son, Daryl said she can't go see impersonators because she's seen the real Elvis too many times. 

"I love all of his songs," she said. "His funeral was very sad."

In her life, Cole says she is most proud of her family and farm life. She retired to a farm that had a lake for swimming, four acres of Christmas trees, and two acres of Concord grapes.

Cole moved back to Williamsburg and today she spends her time with family and friends at the Williamsburg Senior Center.

"If she can, she walks there and back every day. That's her exercise," Daryl said. "She's amazing, inspiring, and memorable." 

"I look forward to it, Jamie (Houck) who's in charge there is very congenial," Cole said. She enjoys playing Bingo and doing word searches.

"Marie is such a joy to have at the center," Houck said. "Her bright and cheery personality lights up the room as soon as she walks in. Everyone says they hope to be like Marie if they make it to 100."