Albert Bennett Coley

Albert Bennett Coley, 87, passed away Wednesday, August 26, 2020. He was born December 15, 1932 to the late Inez Perry and Albert Edgar Coley. Albert was raised on a farm in Wake County. He honorably served his country in the Army in Korea, worked at Colonial Stores in the warehouse in Raleigh, and worked at Aerotron in Raleigh. He worked for NC Forest Service in Wake County. He started out as Assistant Ranger, then Equipment Operator and ended as County Ranger. He was there 25+ years. He enjoyed his work there helping land owners plant trees and fighting fires to protect forest. He met many lifelong friends there. Albert was a member of New Hope Volunteer Fire Department. He retired after 20 years of service. Being a volunteer firemen is like being in a large close family. One for all and all for one. Albert was a lifetime member of New Hope Baptist Church. He lived in Wake County all his life except for 9 years in Hillsville, VA where he had 9 acres of land, a small apple orchard, a few bears and a herd of deer to help take care of the apple orchard. He and Ann currently lived at Springmoor Retirement community on Sawmill Road in Raleigh. He was very happy there.  

A funeral service will be held 11:00 am, Monday, August 31, 2020 at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service Chapel, 944 Old Knight Road, Knightdale, NC. Burial will follow at New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery. 

The family will not have a formal visitation, but anyone wishing to pay their respects prior to the service may view from 10:00 am to 10:45 am at the funeral home. 

Surviving: wife, Ann Richardson Coley; children: Alan Bennett Coley (Kim), Patricia Ann Coley, Andrew Barrett Coley (Jackie); grandchildren: Matthew Bennett, Elizabeth Grace and Charlotte Faith Coley; sisters: Sue Coley Brewer (Wray), Debbie Coley Gambil (Martin); brother, Dale R. Coley (Norma Jean); brother-in-law, Edward Earl Richardson; many nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his parents, Albert was preceded in death by sister, Lillian Coley Lassiter; infant brother, Edgar Neal Coley; step-mother, Magnolia M Coley; mother-in-law, Hazel F. Richardson; father-in-law, Earl Richardson; brother-in-law, Bob Lassiter; sister-in-law, Joyce Richardson. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Joy Ranch, 813 Joy Ranch Rd, Woodlawn, VA 24381. 

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