Sue Ann Cole

Sue Ann Brandenburg Cole 1941-2024

     Sue Ann Brandenburg was born on October 26, 1941, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the first

child of R.P. “Speed” and Bernice Brandenburg. She spent her childhood in and around the

Oklahoma City area, graduating from U.S. Grant High School, May 1959. She was always

proud to be in the first class to go all four years at the newly minted school and was a

dedicated “Grant General” her whole life.

     After a brief stint at Oklahoma State, Sue Ann transferred to Southeastern State College in

Durant Oklahoma. She loved it immediately, making many friends and becoming a cheerleader.

At the end of her first semester at Southeastern she met a tall, handsome, shy, sweet football

player named Danny Cole. At the end of spring semester they were engaged and married on

August 25, 1962. Sue and Dan both graduated with degrees in education from Southeastern.

     Their first child, Holly, was born in December 1963. Son, Daniel (aka “Rowdy”), would follow a

few years later in April 1968.

     The majority of the next thirty-plus years, Sue and Dan were educators and Dan coached in

many areas of Oklahoma. Sue was always proud of the fact that in her years as a teacher she

taught every grade level except kindergarten and first grade. She impacted hundreds and

hundreds of lives over her 32 years in the classroom, living out her calling. She loved the

community that was every school she served in. Sue was the kind of teacher that saw potential

in most every child, and was invested in the lives of her students long after they had left her

classroom.

     In all the places they lived, Sue and Dan immediately found a church home where they could

worship, serve and grow in their faith. They raised their family with a firm faith foundation, living

out their lives as Christ lived, in selfless service to others. Their faith was honest, true and

consistent throughout their whole lives.

     After Sue retired from teaching she entered a whole new life adventure and for nearly a decade

she worked as a travel agent. This afforded she and Dan the opportunity to see many parts of

the world from Alaska (numerous times!) to Israel. It was a joyful time in both their lives.

     However, Sue’s most precious delight were her four granddaughters, Rylea, Hadley, Sutton and

Raegan. She and Dan attended every game, recital, competition, concert, awards ceremony

and graduation they could make it to - and they made it to most! Many of the girls’ friends and

their parents knew “Grammy”, because she was always there, supporting and cheering as well

as learning (and remembering!) their friends’ names. Being involved in their granddaughters’

lives was never an obligation, but an all-encompassing joy. Over the past 14 years, Sue and

Dan enjoyed four “bonus” grandchildren when Rowdy met and married Sonya and they

welcomed Dirk, Cassidy, Whitley and Megan to the family fold. Dirk’s children Samson,

Magdalene, Lydia and Josiah have been sweet blessing to Sue in the last few years.

     In December 2017, Sue lost her sweet Dan after 55 amazing, adventurous years. It was a hard

blow. But her deep faith and desire to keep loving on her family and friends carried her forward.

     Two years ago, Sue again made a life transition and moved from her beloved farm to Norman

and into an amazing senior living community. She thrived at Sooner Station and once again

found an active life and made dear friends, just like she did in college! She has had such a full

life these two years - and she didn’t think that could happen at 80. Sue especially loved

spending time with her Sooner Station community watching sports - especially OU football,

basketball and softball. She loved her OU softball girls as if she’d had them all in the classroom! 

She spent her last lucid evening watching their game and being so very proud of “our girls”.

     A sudden and unexpected, catastrophic heart event caught us unaware and in the early, early

hours of May 25, 2024, her heart could function no more. As a woman of deep and abiding

faith, she did not fear death. She passed with no regrets, only joy for the arms of Christ. Her

family was never in doubt with how much they were loved and cherished.

     Sue was preceded in death by her parents Speed and Bernice, and her husband of 55 years,

Dan. She is survived by her daughter, Holly Cole Bristol and husband, Randy, of Norman; son

Rowdy Cole and his wife, Sonya, of Payne; Granddaughters Rylea Cole and fiancé Cameron

Stansell of Pocasset OK, Hadley Bristol of Nashville TN, Sutton Bristol of Nashville TN and

Raegan Cole of Mustang OK. She is also survived by her dearly beloved sister, JoLyn Melson

and husband, Carl, of Sulphur OK. There are many sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces,

nephews, great nieces and nephews, bonus grandchildren and great-grandchildren who she

greatly loved! She also leaves too many friends, young and old, to count.

     The family would like to express their greatest gratitude to the physicians, nurses and techs at

the Oklahoma Heart Hospital, who made Sue’s passing gentle, painless and dignified.

     We would also like to thank all the former students who have reached out with condolences. If

she gave you love, confidence, guidance, a second-chance or inspired a dream - please pay it

forward and bless a young person in your life. She would love it if you lived Matthew 25 and

were a good steward of that which you have been blessed.

     In lieu of flowers we would ask you make a donation to an organization Sue valued - The

Oklahoma Baptist Children’s Home, American Heart Association, National Marrow Donor

Program/Be The Match, National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation or any charity of your choice.