Cole Howard DePriest, 8, of Tenaha, was welcomed into the arms of Heaven on Friday, April 3, 2015 from injuries sustained in a horse-riding accident.

 

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, April 5, 2015 at First Baptist Church in Tenaha.  Funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Monday, April 6, 2015 at First Baptist Church in Tenaha with Bro. Michael Hale, Bro. Tracy Williams and Bro. John Whitworth officiating. Interment will follow at Ramah Cemetery in Tenaha.

 

Cole was born April 2, 2007 in Nacogdoches.  He was a first grader at Carthage Primary School and a member of First Baptist Church in Center.  Cole loved life and lived it to the fullest.  He played baseball with the Carthage Dixie League and enjoyed swimming, hunting and working on the ranch.  He especially enjoyed rodeoing and was a member of PYRA, East Texas Equestrian Drill Team and SCSP Association. He earned 2014 SCSP (6 and under) All-Around Champion.

 

Cole was a special little cowboy who never met a stranger.  He had that special spark that made everyone love him.  He always wore a smile as wide as the Sabine River and a grin that could melt an ice burg.  At only eight, he could do more than many adults.  With his infectious personality, it only took a few minutes to fall in love with him.  Every person who knew Cole is better for it.

 

Cole seemed to live life in the fast lane as if he couldn’t get it done quickly enough – as if he knew his time here was limited.  He was called home too soon, yet far too special to stay long on earth.  God granted his family and friends by sending an angel to earth, even if it were for just a short space of time.

 

Cole is survived by

Parents: David Howard and Colette Cross DePriest of Tenaha

 

Sister: Abigail DePriest of Tenaha

 

Grandparents:

Roland & Dianne Cross of Tenaha

Joe & Edna DePriest of Clarksville

 

Aunt: Cicily Cross Blair and husband, Jason, of Tenaha

 

Uncle: Brian DePriest and wife, Tori, of Paris

 

Cousins:

Cason Blair

Kinley Blair

Cooper Blair

Lorelei DePriest

 

Great Grandmother: Buple Childress of Blue Springs, Mississippi

 

Numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and friends

 

Pallbearers will be Jeff Hooker, Jim Cumbie, Garrett Hooker, Trey Cumbie, Brad Vickery, Thomas Mize and Jarrod McCuller.  Honorary pallbearers will be PYRA Youth Rodeo Association Members, CBR Family, Larry Joe Eaves, Shelby County Drill Team, Tenaha Tiger Athletic Teams, Carthage Dixie Baseball League and Carthage Primary School Staff.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cole DePriest Scholarship at https://de.gofund.me/qxqbf7g

 

Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com