Nelma Graham (Cole) Ciarrocca

Nelma Cole Graham Ciarrocca, age 83 of Laurinburg passed away on April 2024.

Nelma was born May 24, 1940 one of eight children of the late Farris W. Cole, Sr., and the late Blanty Carlisle Cole.   She was a loving wife, devoted mother, grandmother, sister and friend to many.  Her career was in textiles retiring after many years from JP Stevens, Inc., as an Administrative Assistant.  Prior to her illness, Nelma served as a faithful member of New Hope Baptist Church.  She loved music and singing, and enjoyed her time crocheting, cooking, gardening and working in her flower gardens.  Nelma shared her jovial personality with everyone, always smiling and full of laughter.  She will dearly be missed by all of her loved ones.

Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Anthony “Tony” John Ciarrocca; brothers, Farris W. Cole, Jr.; Vernon Cole, Clayton Cole; sisters, Vivian Cole Leichliter and Sylvia Cole Gottschalk.

Nelma is survived by her sons, Kenny Graham of Laurinburg, NC and Alan J. Graham of Pembroke, NC; grandchildren, Joshua W. Graham, and Jessica Allyn Graham; great grandchildren, London, Kaitlyn and Tristan; Tony’s sons, Mark Ciarrocca and wife Kathryn Brown Ciarrocca of Wilmington, NC, and their children Johnathan Ciarrocca of Boone, NC and Lila Ciarrocca of Wilmington, NC, and son, Brian Ciarrocca and wife Melisa Cox Ciarrocca of Laurinburg, NC and their daughter, Dr. Anna Lisa Ciarrocca Hudson of Clemmons, NC (Andrew) and son Charles “Grant” Ciarrocca of Wilmington, NC; brother, Lonnie Cole of Ft. Walton Beach, FL, and sister, Carol Hunt of Pembroke, NC.   Nelma also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, and many loving friends.

The Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held 4:00 p.m. on Friday, MAY 3, 2024 at New Hope Baptist Church.   The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the church.

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