Bennie Lee Cole II was born on Wednesday, November 29, 1972 to the union of Bennie Lee and Bobbie Lee Cole, career military parents, at the United Air Force Academy Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Bennie Cole II entered into his eternal rest and gained his angel wings on Sunday, January 12, 2020 in Houston, Texas.

Bennie II accompanied his parents on military assignments, spending the first four years of his life in Adana and Izmir, Turkey.

He attended John Jay High School in San Antonio, Texas.

Upon relocation to Port Arthur, Texas, he graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1991, and went on to study at Prairie View A & M University.

He then served in the United States Navy for a short term.

Bennie’s chosen profession was barbering.

He graduated from ATT in Beaumont, and earned his barber’s license.

He owned and operated Freezman Barber and Beauty Shop in Houston.

He recently completed studies to become a Barber Instructor, and was preparing for his State Examination.

Bennie was honored by his community for his service with the young male students giving them discount haircuts for enhanced school work.

Bennie is preceded in death by his father, Bennie L. Cole; maternal grandparents, Ella Mae and Marcus Watkins, and aunt, Marcus Marie Watkins Williams.

He leaves to mourn and is survived by his mother, Bobbie Watkins Cole; stepmother, Edithe Cole; son, Marcus Lee Cole; special son, Tray Mane Jacob; daughters, Eliya Cole and Royal Delilah Cole; grandsons, TreMayne Cole and Riley Cole; his lifemate, Jayekende Phillips; aunts, Minnie Watkins and Matris Watkins Pauley; his lifelong friend, Lurie (Trey) James; and a host of cousins and loving friends.

Funeral service will be 7 p.m. Friday, January 24, 2020 at Gabriel Funeral Home Chapel, 2500 Procter Street, Port Arthur, TX 77640 with visitation from 5 p.m. until service time.

There will be an additional service at 12 noon Saturday, January 25, 2020 at Shears Chapel Methodist CME Church in Cushing, Texas with visitation from 10 a.m. until service time.

Final resting place will be at Shears Friendship Cemetery, Nacogdoches County, Cushing, Texas.