ABOUT US

Carl Cole has prepared and interred approximately 8000 people in the Aiken-Augusta area since relocating here in 1979. Carl is a compassionate, caring and service-minded professional and his funeral home is not only an occupation but also a labor of love. The goal of Carl Cole and his Cole Funeral Home staff is to deliver the service their customers expect and deserve. 

Beginning at age twelve, Carl dreamed of becoming a Funeral Director. This dream began to materialize at age fifteen when he started working at Sutton Funeral Home in Pageland, South Carolina, his hometown. Carl worked there until his graduation in 1977 from Central High School in Pageland. Subsequently, he continued his education in Atlanta, Georgia at the Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. 

Carl moved to Aiken in 1979 after graduating. He worked under the direction of Edward D. George and was supervised by Joseph W. McClellan, who was considered a master in the art of embalming and he taught Carl the proper way to handle every situation. After serving his internship, he received his license from the State Board of Funeral Directors in 1980. 

Carl married Cindy Gay of Aiken in 1981. 

He worked for George Funeral Home until the death of Edward George in 1986. Following his tenure with George Funeral Home, Carl went to work with JM Posey and Sons in North Augusta, SC. After 10 months, the new owner of George Funeral Home, Joe McClellan, called him and offered him the position of Associate Director. 

Two years later he again accepted a position with JM Posey and Sons in Graniteville, SC, and he and his wife, Cindy, lived there until 1992. 

In 1992, Carl accepted an embalmer position in the Anatomic Pathology Department of the Medical College of Georgia. (MCG). He served there as an embalmer for four years and as Autopsy Lab Supervisor for six years. He also lent his assistance to Shellhouse Funeral Home during this time as they built their business. 

During this time, Carl and Cindy welcomed their son, Shane. 

After 10 years at MCG, Carl felt a great urge to return to his dream of funeral directing and accepted a position with Platt’s Funeral Home then went to Elliott Sons Funeral home in Augusta, GA. Carl was also dreaming of opening his own funeral home in Aiken, SC, and his three years at Platt’s enhanced his knowledge and ability in funeral directing. 

In 2006, Carl and Cindy decided to create Cole Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Inc. They purchased the former Liberty Christian School and Temple Baptist Church campus and began renovations on their dream project. With support and trust from Cindy and much assistance from family and friends, their dream became a reality in April 2007. 

Carl is a Paul Harris Fellow with the Rotary Club of Aiken, is a Gideon with the East Camp here in Aiken.

Carl and Cindy are active members of Grace Covenant Church of God in New Ellenton

Shane was born November 6, 1992, in Augusta, GA, and has lived all his life in Aiken County. He attended Curtis Baptist School in Augusta from the age of 3 thru the 8th grade while living in Clearwater, SC.  When we were located to open the funeral home in Aiken, Shane attended Aiken High School and graduated in 2010. He made the Deans List in his Sophomore year at USCA and graduated from the University of South Carolina Aiken Campus, on December 10, 2015, with a BS degree in Business Management and graduated on December 10, 2017, from Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, SC    with an Associates Degree in Applied Sciences majoring in Funeral Services. Shane has been with Cole Funeral Home since the 10th grade and is a 2nd generation License Funeral Director and a License Embalmer for the state of South Carolina.  Shane was married on June 18, 2016, to Rachel M. Krepps.  They both are active members of Grace Covenant Church of God in New Ellenton. Shane is the pianist for the youth and young adult groups and fills in as pianist for the Sanctuary Choir and the Sunday Church services as well for most all funeral services held in our chapel and at a church when needed. Shane is also a Gideon with the East Camp here in Aiken.   We are very proud to have him with us to carry on the Cole name in funeral service as a second-generation Funeral Director/Embalmer. 

Rachel is the wife of Shane Cole.  They grew up together at their church, Grace Covenant Church of God, became highschool sweethearts, and got married in June of 2016. Rachel went to highschool at South Aiken High School and graduated in 2012.  She is one of the worship leaders at Grace Covenant Church of God.  Rachel was a former manager at Hobby Lobby in Aiken, where she worked for 6 years.  She now manages our office, social media pages, and marketing. She joined the family business at the beginning of 2023, ready to help serve the community. 

Bill was born on Parris Island, SC in 1948. He graduated from Beaufort High School in 1966. In 1967, Bill joined the USAF where he served over three years obtaining the rank of Staff Sgt and serving a year in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. He married Susan E. Gleason at Hulburt Field in Florida on May 17, 1970, leaving there for New Mexico. He received an early out to join the SC Highway Patrol on January 10, 1971. After his graduation, he was sent to Aiken County where he obtained the rank of Sgt during his 25-year career. He retired on January 10, 1996, where he joined Sue Townsend at the coroner’s office for 14 months. He then took over Civil Defense and changed it to Emergency Preparedness for Aiken County. During his tenure at EP, then-Sheriff Howard Sellers asked Bill to join the Sheriff Dept. at the rank of Captain to revamp the records divisions and create a new dispatch center. In 2002, he had completed what was asked and he went into full-time painting with his business Cole’s Painting Company, which he still has today. He has a daughter, son-in-law, two step-grandsons, and a son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, and grandson. He now resides in Windsor with his wife.

Brancie Stephens has a Masters Degree in Ministry and served as a full time pastor for over 50 years.  He has worked over 19 years part time in the funeral home industry, to help  minister to hurting families.  We have been blessed to have Brancie helping at Cole Funeral Home for the past 9 years.

Rock was born in Sarasota, Fl, but grew up in Aiken, SC.  He graduated from Aiken High School.  He then enlisted in the Navy, where he spent 4 years stationed in California on Treasure Island.  There is where he met and married his wife, Suzette.  They have three beautiful daughters, one son-in-law, and one adorable grand dog.  He is retired after working at SRS for 40 years.  He enjoys playing his saxophones and singing at his church, Grace Covenant Church of God.  He also enjoys doing mission work with the Indian Ministries of North America.  We are thankful to have Rock on staff here at Cole Funeral Home.

Rylee was born in Aiken, SC, and has lived in AIken his entire life. He graduated from Ridge Spring-Monetta High School in 2023. His passion for the funeral home industry has been with him since he was a young boy. Rylee works at Chick-Fil-A Aiken part time, and has been with the company for a little over 3 years. He is an active member of TrueNorth Church, and is in the process of becoming a vocalist for the worship band. He is ready to help serve the community.

Susan has been a lifelong resident of Aiken County.  She is married to Ronnie Seigler Sr. and has two children, and four grandchildren that she enjoys spending time with.  She's a member of Mercy Church of Aiken.  Susan has been working with us for the past 17 years, and considers her work here at the funeral home a ministry.  

Gene O. Wilson is a native of Graniteville, SC, and married to his high school sweetheart, the former Angelle Kenney for over 66 years.  They have four children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He is a graduate of Leavelle McCampbell High School, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (Dip. SM); University of Mississippi (BM); Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MCM); FRANCE of Rio de Janeiro (BSP); and Piedmont Technical College (Asso. in Business with a major in Funeral Services).  He was licensed as an Embalmer/Funeral Director in South Carolina and Georgia in 2002.  Gene who is an ordained Southern Baptist minister served in churches throughout the Southeast before being appointed as a music missionary by the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.  After serving more than 28 years in Brazil, He returned to Stiefeltown, SC where he was born. Gene has over 25 years of experience in Funeral Service being associated with J.M. Posey and Sons Funeral Home, Graniteville, Stephen D. Posey Funeral Home, North Augusta,  and Napier Funeral Home in Graniteville.

In Memory of our dear friend David Osbon. David served on our staff briefly until his wife the late Mrs. Leo Smith Osbon took ill.  Till The day he died, which was on a Thursday, January 20, 2022,  he was on our staff here at Cole Funeral Home.  You will be missed, my friend.  

In Memory of our dear friend Jim Hopkins. He was our long time friend and financial advisor from the very begining of Cole Funeral Home and worked part time on our staff when needed.  His financial advice through the years will never be forgotten nor his special friendship we had for the past 45 years. Jim passed away Wednesday March 22, 2023.  You will be missed .