Ava Marie Cole Tipton of Fuquay Varina, NC, passed into the loving embrace of her Lord and Savior November 6, 2025, after a lengthy illness.
Born April 12, 1948, Ava was the cherished daughter of Harold K. Cole of Garner, Mother Grace Lee Cole and Stepmother Lottie Cole. She was raised in Benson NC by her loving grandparents, Paul P and Annie Belle Lee and her beloved Aunt, Mildred Lee Wood. Ava graduated from Benson High school, a participant in clubs and a majorette in the marching band. She attended Benson Baptist Church where she sang in the choir.
After graduation she moved to Carolina Beach, NC where she had spent summer vacations. She loved the beach, the ocean and shag dancing at the Ocean Plaza ballroom and other venues. She also lived for a time in Columbus Ga, Monmouth NJ, Fayetteville NC and in Spain in the late 70s, developing a love of Spanish cuisine and Lladro porcelain, collecting prized pieces. Always a Disney fan, she loved visiting the parks in Orlando in the summer. Ava was a born decorator and Gourmet level cook.
Her roasts, casseroles and desserts were absolutely delicious. A lover of animals, especially dogs, she adopted and loved many – both purebred and rescues- in her life. This wonderful trait she passed on to her wonderful children.
Ava was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Will Tipton.
Surviving her are daughters Heather Lea Clark (Russ) of Oak Island, NC, Tiffiany Hinton(Brant) of Harrisonville, MO , Shanna Natalini(Mark) of Pittsburg, KS, sons Detective( ret) Dennis Frisbee III of Raleigh, NC, Joshua Tipton (Rebecca), Daphne, Alabama and BJ Tipton (Bendy) of Pittsburg, KS, fourteen grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be announced later for Ava to occur in late spring or early summer ( her favorite time of year) in the Cape Fear area of North Carolina that she loved so deeply.