Remembering Bud and Beatrice Cole

Celebrate Black History 365! Let’s travel back to Neshoba County and Philadelphia during a dark time. As some may or may not know, Philadelphia is not all negative.  

There is so much history within the city that will never be forgotten. The Historic Mt. Zion United Methodist Church is a historical landmark and is one of four churches in the Philadelphia Parish of United Methodist Churches. 

Let’s talk about two brave individuals during the 1960s. The Historic Mt. Zion UMC was burned to the ground on June 16, 1964. On this night, J.R. “Bud” Cole was one of Mt. Zion members who was beaten by the Klansmen. 

Mr. Cole suffered permanent nerve damage to his back, causing 75% loss of usage of his leg. For the balance of his life, Mr. Cole had to wear a brace.  

Let's brag on the power of God! His wife, Beatrice, prayed while the Klansmen were beating her husband. 

She prayed, “Father, I stretch my hands to thee, no other help I know. If thou withdraw thyself from me, where else can I go.” 

Did you know that the Klansmen stopped beating him and spared his life? 

Mr. and Mrs. Cole are heroes never forgotten!  They are buried in the the Historic Mt. Zion cemetery. 

Let’s remember the Coles and all who sacrificed their lives for us to have a right to vote.

This article was adapted from an 2019 Facebook post by Philadelphia native LaToya Bledsoe. She is currently Residence Hall Director & Residence Life Coordinator for the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science located on the campus of the Mississippi University for Women.

Three young men who came to investigate the Mt. Zion burning, James Chaney, 21, Andrew Goodman, 20, and Michael Schwerner, 24, were murdered by the Klan on June 21, 1964, setting off an international firestorm that would propel passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act by the U.S. Congress.