Terri Strickland Cole

Terri Strickland Cole, 69, of Marietta, Georgia passed away on January 3rd. She was born on September 28, 1955 in Douglas, Georgia to James Fisher and Dorothy Kellogg Strickland. She was predeceased by her beloved sister Anne and has three surviving brothers—James Fisher, John, and Joe. After graduating early from Coffee County High School, she attended South Georgia College where she earned an Associate Degree in Science, then attending Valdosta State University attaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts, finally completing her education at The University of Georgia earning a Master’s in Art Education, graduating Cum Laude. It was there she met Steve, the love of her life, whom she married in 1981. She immediately became a beloved member of the Cole family. She loved each of the Coles deeply. She started her career as a teacher of gifted children in Madison, Georgia but moved to Marietta in 1980, where she worked in managerial roles, eventually owning her own company, a distributor of Closet Maid. She retired in 1989 to become a full-time mom to her daughter Anna Jeanne. She was never one to take responsibilities lightly. At Roswell St. Baptist Church, she taught Vacation Bible School and delivered many home cooked meals to ill or house bound church members. At Walker School she was able to devote her artistic talents to a cause she loved. Those who saw the magical French street that she brought to life would never forget it or the other spectacular locales she would envision for the Walker School Association’s auctions and School Plays. As a mother, she attended EVERY dance recital, tennis lesson, swim meet, soccer game, softball game, and any other event in which her daughter Anna participated. When her husband decided to go into business with Robert Bowden, she was always supportive and helped keep morale high in the early days when success was not assured. She and Steve shared a love of history, and she served on the Board of Cobb Landmarks and Historical Society—chair of the Furnishings Committee for over 30 years. In 2024, Terri was named Patron of the Year by the Georgia Association of Museums. Her contributions to the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art were immense. She not only helped the museum secure special shows, but she staged each exhibit revealing her superb knowledge of how displays could be made dramatic—with an awareness of where every element of the show might best be displayed. She gave a New York flair to what could be seen in Marietta. At every opportunity, Terri revealed her terrific sense of color and design. As one friend noted, she even made dressing “an art.” She was a faithful member of a decades-old book club, as well as a proud member of The Anne Hudgins Shakespeare Class. She was also a member of the Colonial Dames of America. She was a consummate host of many parties for charities, friends, and family gatherings. The Cole and Strickland families enjoyed over 40 years of attending celebrations of holidays, birthdays and special occasions--including several weddings-- at their Marietta home. She was the quintessential hostess and never did anything half-way. She truly loved to travel with her family and friends. Of all her international travels, London was her favorite, but Amelia Island was very close to her heart as she had been visiting there since she was a child in South Georgia. They owned a home there, and her favorite times were enjoyed on the beach with her two granddaughters and attending many years of Ga-Fl games. Viewing sunrises and sunsets gave her a daily reminder of the nature of life. She is survived by her husband Steve, daughter Anna Cole McTish (Ryan), and granddaughters, Maggie Anne and Molly Jeanne McTish, whom she loved to the depth of her being. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 8th at Mayes Ward Funeral Home in Marietta at 12:30 to 1:30 pm followed by a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church of Marietta at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to First Presbyterian Church, North Metro Church, Cobb Landmarks and Historical Society, or Marietta Cobb Museum of Art.

Terri Strickland Cole

September 28, 1955 - January 3, 2025