Opal Ruppe Cole, age 97, passed peacefully at her home on February 8, 2022. She was the daughter of the late William McKinley Ruppe and Rosa Lee Owens Ruppe. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Breece Cole and her brother, W.M. (Dub) Ruppe.

She was a graduate of R-S Central High School and attended Brevard College. She worked at Stonecutter Mills, Union Trust Company and was a bookkeeper for Ruppe's Grocery and Liberty Press for 65 years.

She was a lifelong and faithful member of Kistler's Chapel United Methodist Church where she served as secretary/treasurer for 30 years. She loved to work in her yard and flowers, do needlepoint, travel, read, visit friends and especially friends in rest homes.

She is survived by one daughter, Denise C. White (Mike) and one son, Kevin Cole (Kimberley), four grandchildren, Clint White (Kelly), Brad White (Joy), Ethan Cole and Lucas Cole, five great-grandchildren, Avery Cole, Jacob Cole, Hadley White, Raelynn White and Mabree Byers.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, February 11, 2022 at McMahan's Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at Kistler's Chapel United Methodist Church at 1:00 PM, Saturday, February 12, 2022 with Reverend Brad Thompson and Reverend Ned Owens officiating. Interment will be at Eternal Hills Memorial Park on Monday, February 14, 2022 at 1:00 PM.

Memorials may be made to Kistler's Chapel United Methodist Church, 3060 Poors Ford Rd, Rutherfordton, NC 28139; Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, PO Box 336 Forest City, NC 28043 or Rutherford Lifecare, 859 Thunder Rd Spindale, NC 28160. An online guest register is available at www.mcmahansfuneralhome.com. McMahan's Funeral Home & Cremation Services in charge of arrangements.