Elizabeth Anne Cole Sphar, 100

Published 9:50 am Friday, August 24, 2018

It is with great sadness that the family of Elizabeth Anne Cole Sphar announces her passing after an extended illness, on Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at 100 years of age.

Elizabeth Anne is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Asa Rogers and Donna Cates Sphar III, Austin, Tx; a daughter and son-in-law, Lloyd Anne and Dale Allen Barker, Lexington, Ky.; three grandchildren, Anna Christina Sphar Vander Hook, Bethany Grace Sphar, and Michael Nelson Caudill, Jr.; two great grandchildren, Davis Caudill and Eva Caudill; a sister-in-law, Cynthia DeGelleke Cole; two nieces, Elizabeth Anne Cole Abbott and Martha Witherspoon Sphar Pumphrey; four nephews, John Russell Cole, Jr., Frederick Case Cole, William Rogers Sphar Jr., and Holly Witherspoon Sphar Jr.; longstanding and dedicated caregiver, Jessica Bustamante; and many loving relatives and friends.

She was predeceased by her late husband Asa R. Sphar II (married 51 yrs.); three brothers, Dr. John R. Cole, Lloyd Robert Cole, and James Cole; and a sister, Ernestine Cole.

Born Elizabeth Anne Cole to Ernest Cole, MD and Anna Caroline Crandall Cole in Winchester, Ky., on August 8, 1918, Elizabeth Anne became an educator, a Red Cross worker, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and avid reader, an aspiring author, the consummate hostess and conversationalist, and a real estate professional.

After starting her academic career at Virginia Intermont College, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Kentucky Wesleyan College in 1939, attaining a B. A. degree double majoring in English and French. She ultimately graduated with an M. A. in English from the University of Kentucky in 1952.

A life-long, active member of the First Baptist Church, Winchester, Ky. (and a well-loved Sunday School teacher of a young women’s class), Elizabeth Anne was also involved in many valuable community and social networks including Colonial Dames, Fortnightly (70+ years), Women’s Club of Central Ky., Study Club, Bowl N’Blossom, and Daughters of the American Revolution.

A Funeral Service in memory of Elizabeth Anne will be held on Monday, August 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m., at First Baptist Church of Winchester, Ky., with Rev. Tony Stang and Don Burkhead officiating. Interment will follow in the family plot at Winchester Cemetery.

A reception at First Baptist Church will follow the interment. There will be no visitation.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the First Baptist Church, 32 East Lexington Ave., Winchester, Ky. 40391, or a favorite charity.

Rolan G. Taylor Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.