Birdie Christine Cole

A Homegoing Service, celebrating the life of Birdie Christine Cole, 80, of Newark, will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. at Trinity AME Church, Newark, with Pastor Bruce Wynn officiating. Visitation will be held at the church, 64 E. Church Street, Newark, one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Birdie was born in Promised Land, TN on August 7, 1944 to the late Hersey and Hattie Alberta (Redden) Robertson. She passed away on November 2, 2024 at Licking Memorial Hospital. Prior to retirement, Birdie was a local businesswoman, and proud owner of R & Cole Fashions in Newark for many decades. She was very involved with her church and community. Birdie was a member of Trinity AME Church for 47 years. At the church, she was on the stewardess board, the missionary board, the usher board, a trustee, was part of the lay organization, sang in the choir as well as being the choir president for a time, was a chairperson of the black history program, the gospel concert and the Sights and Sounds of Licking County. In the community, Birdie was an Eastern Star member, a member of the NAACP, Downtown Business Association, and was a volunteer for the Democratic Party of Licking County. She enjoyed talking, cooking, dancing, singing and she was always dressed to the nines. Birdie loved being around her family and friends and she will be missed by everyone that knew her. Survivors include her son, Gregory D. (fiancé, Raquel) Robertson; brothers, Hersey (Starlet) Robertson and Hubert (Eleanor) Robertson; grandchildren, Jamillah Sutton, Darnell Robertson, Christopher Elkins, Camylle Elkins and Gregory Robertson; sisters-in-law, Bettie and Francine; and numerous great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sisters, Lucille, Willean and Mary Lee; and brothers, Abraham, Calvin, John and Lorenzy. Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral and Cremation Service is honored to care for Birdie and the Robertson family.