Elizabeth "Betty" Cole Obituary

Elizabeth (Betty) Arnold Cole, 94, passed away peacefully January 21, 2026, at Akron General Medical Center, after a brief illness.

She was born June 24, 1931, in Akron, to Carl James Arnold and Ellen Livermore Genung. She was a graduate of Old Trail School in 1949 and Hood College in Frederick, MD with a degree in Chemistry in 1953. She briefly worked for BF Goodrich Research as a chemist. In 1963, she returned to the workforce working as a chemist for Goodyear Tire until retiring in 1995. She was an active member and a resting deacon of Westminster Presbyterian Church. She was a 50+ year member of Akron Woman's City Club; a member of Cuyahoga Portage Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution; George Washington Chapter, Daughters of the American Colonists; Portage Trail Commodore Perry Chapter, USD1812; Daughters of the Founders and Patriots of America; Dames of the Court of Honor; Huguenot Society of Ohio, Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims. She served in a variety of offices with the above organizations.

Betty was an avid needlepointer/crochet having learned the skills from her grandmother and mother. She worked on one of the kneelers in the Westminster Chancel along with her mother. She crocheted socks for the veterans and eventually made the “leap” to counted cross stich. She loved doing samplers and entered several pieces for judging in the Stan Hywet Needlework Guild’s Stitchery Showcase that was held in conjunction with the annual Ohio Mart event. She was a member of the Stan Hywet Needlework Guild, Western Reserve Needlework Guild, and the Akron Woman’s City Club Needlework Section.

Betty is survived by her son, James of Akron; and cousins, Cyndy Combs O’Hara of Martha’s Vineyard, MA, Mary Combs of Gaithersburg, MD, and Katie Combs Singer of Coral Springs, FL.

Memorial Service 11 A. M. FRIDAY, February 6th at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1250 W. Exchange St., with Rev. Dr. Alan Olson officiating.

Friends may call 5-7 P. M. THURSDAY, February 5th at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. Internment at Lakeview Cemetery, Ithaca, NY.

In lieu of flowers or other remembrances, donations may be given to Westminster Presbyterian Church Celtic Garden Fund in her honor.

Services in care of the Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, 85 N. Miller Road Akron, OH 44333 (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)