Candace Cole
May 26, 1963 – June 19, 2025

With deep love and sorrow, we announce the passing of Candace Cole, a beloved wife, devoted mother and grandmother, and passionate educator, who left this world on June 19, 2025, at the age of 62 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's PSP.

Born on May 26, 1963, Candace lived a life defined by kindness, strength, and unwavering love. She was the heart of her family—deeply devoted to her husband, Terry Cole, and the proud and loving mother of Matthew Cole and Christa Long. She welcomed their spouses, Brittany Cole and Curtis Long, with open arms and embraced them as her own, building strong, loving bonds that reflected her generous spirit.

Her role as "Cici" to her grandchildren was one of her greatest joys. She adored Charlotte and Luke Cole, and Audrey and Nora Long, and took immense pride in watching them grow, always cheering them on with love, encouragement, and gentle wisdom.

Candace dedicated much of her life to teaching, a calling that was so much more than a career—it was her passion and her purpose. Over the years, she touched countless young lives with her patience, warmth, and unwavering belief in each child's potential. She had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel seen, heard, and valued, and her legacy as a teacher lives on in the hearts and minds of her students and peers.

To know Candace was to experience true kindness. She gave of herself freely—always the first to offer help, a listening ear, or a comforting presence. Whether supporting her family, assisting a friend, or helping a stranger, she showed up with love and humility. Her quiet strength, deep empathy, and grace in adversity left a lasting impression on everyone she met.

Her home was a place of warmth, laughter, and unconditional love. She built a life centered on family and faith, and she poured her heart into every moment she spent with those she loved. Her presence brought comfort, her words brought peace, and her love brought people together.

She is survived by her loving husband, Terry Cole; her daughter, Christa Long, and son-in-law, Curtis Long; her son, Matthew Cole, and daughter-in-law, Brittany Cole; and her cherished grandchildren, Charlotte Cole, Luke Cole, Audrey Long, and Nora Long. She is also survived by her mother, Suzanne Carriere; her sister, Allison Ferko; and her brother, Joe Carriere.

A funeral service to celebrate Candace's beautiful life will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Woodlawn Church in Panama City Beach, Florida. Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance of a woman who gave so much of herself to others.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in Candace's name to Woodlawn Church in Panama City Beach, FL, or the Rotary Club of Panama City Beach, FL.

Candace Cole will be remembered for her boundless love, her gentle soul, and her unwavering devotion to family, faith, and service. Though she is no longer with us, her legacy of kindness and compassion will live on in all who had the privilege of knowing her.