Billy Todd Cole

Billy Todd Cole, age 62, of Friendship, Tennessee, passed away on Monday, September 14, 2026, at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. He was born on May 14, 1964, in Alamo, Tennessee, to the late John O. Cole and Ella Reed Cole Mansfield.

Todd devoted much of his life to the cotton gin industry. He began his career during the transition to the new universal-density press standards, installing Continental Eagle presses throughout the Southern Cotton Ginners Association region. Known by many as one of the best press men in the business, Todd possessed an extraordinary knowledge of cotton gins and could build or repair nearly anything.

He later established Cole Gin Repair and traveled throughout the region servicing cotton gins and equipment. After growing tired of being away from home, Todd joined DG&G Cotton Company in Parma, Missouri, and later became the gin manager at Crowder Gin Company, where he worked for 23 years. In recent years, he continued operating his repair business, working on gins throughout southeast Missouri and several other states. Todd was also a member of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association.

A man of many talents and interests, Todd could do just about anything he set his mind to. He was generous with his time and abilities and was always willing to lend a helping hand in any way he could. He also enjoyed operating the Hobo Diner and 412 General Store. Away from work, Todd enjoyed fishing, gardening, attending auctions and the thrill of a good bargain or trade. Above all, he loved his family and the many friends he made throughout his life.

In addition to his parents, Todd was preceded in death by his stepfather, Willie Joe Mansfield; his wife, Anita D. Cole; and two step-grandchildren, Cheyanne Tate and Zander Young.

Todd is survived by his wife, Amy Cole of Friendship; his son, John Robert Cole (DeShae); his granddaughter, Lydia Cole; two sisters, Shirley Holland and Kathy Wilson; one brother, Tim Cole (Sharon); and his stepchildren, River Riggs, Mikayla Dean, Tiffani Anderson, Lindsey Davis, Tiffany Cochrum (Randy), Tosha Hay (Trevor), and Amber King.

He is also survived by his step-grandchildren, Holland Elmore, Andrew Anderson, Tripp Bowers, Makayla Young, Nate Young, Jacob Cotten, Zack Cotten, Joseph Cotten, Hope Hay and Alivia King, along with many other relatives, friends and members of the cotton gin community who will deeply miss him.

Visitation for Todd will be held from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at Ronk Funeral Home in Alamo. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026, in the chapel of Ronk Funeral Home, with Bro. A.J. Keyte, Bro. Brian Joyner, and Mr. Tony Dollar officiating. Burial will follow at Providence Baptist Church Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be River Riggs, Blake Haley, Jeff Carman, Monty Holland, Mario Flores, Chad Spence and Keith King. Honorary pallbearers will be Chris Spence, Dennis McElwrath, Cliff Tull and Tony Dollar.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Crockett Christmas Store, P.O. Box 654, Maury City, TN 38050.

Family and friends are encouraged to visit Todd’s memorial page to share photographs, condolences and special memories of a life well lived. Ronk Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Billy Todd Cole.