Litchfield Beach: Albert Harman Cole, 86, died Wednesday, December 29, 2004, at Georgetown Memorial Hospital. Mr. Cole was born in Harmans, Md. on January 24, 1918, a son of the late Aubrey Randolph Cole and Bertha Eugenia Harman Cole. He graduated from the University of Maryland, where he was a member of the honorary agricultural fraternity. Following graduation, Mr. Cole began a lengthy career with the USDA Soil Conservation Service and was District Conservationist in Florence Co. for more than 30 years. As a long time resident of Florence, Mr. Cole was an active and devoted member of Central United Methodist Church, which he served in many capacities. He also served on the Board of Trustees of the Florence Co. School Dist. Mr. Cole was currently a member of Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church in Georgetown. Mr. Cole considered his most important role to be a steward of the earth. In addition to his work as a conservationist, he loved gardening and took great pleasure, all his life, in sharing his vegetables with friends and family. Mr. Cole was an avid hunter and fisherman for many years. He cherished his many bird dogs and being in the great outdoors. Family and friends all treasure his endless supply of stories and tall tales, expertly told. Mr. Cole was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was first married to the late Clyo Elizabeth Lawrimore Cole. Mr. Cole was also predeceased by two brothers, Richard S. Cole and Edwin R. Cole. Surviving are: his wife, Bertha Lawrimore Uptegrove Cole of Litchfield Beach; a son, Edward R. Cole of Spartanburg; two daughters, Patricia Cole Springer of Washington, D. C. and Susan Cole Swails of Columbia; a step-son, Raymond R. Uptegrove of Hanahan; two step-daughters, Jane U. Owens of Goose Creek and Susan U. Leedecke of Orangeburg; a sister, Elizabeth C. Hile of Greensboro, N. C.; six grandchildren; Edward L. Cole of Arlington, Va., Alexandra S. Cole of Asheville, N. C., Erin E. Swails, Agee G. Springer, and Chapman L. C. Springer, all of Washington, D. C. and John Marshall Swails, Jr. of Columbia; six step-grandchildren, Dr. Russell L. Uptegrove of Springboro, Oh., Ellen U. Allen of Charlotte, N. C., Angela O. Milner, Amy O. Sanchez, and Alicia Owens, all of Goose Creek, and G. J. Leedecke of Orangeburg; and six step-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 2:00 o'clock Sunday afternoon, January 2, 2005, at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Phillip C. Thrailkill and the Rev. Chad Davis. Burial will follow in Pine Bluff Cemetery on Old Pee Dee Road in upper Georgetown Co. Sign a guest book at www.mayerfuneralhome.com. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church Parlor from 1:00 until 1:45. Memorials may be made to S. C. Wildlife Federation, 2711 Middleburg, Dr., Suite 104, Columbia, S. C. 29204 or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, S. C. Chapter, 1247 Lake Murray Blvd., Irmo, S. C. 29063. The Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Funeral Home: Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home 222 Saint James Street Georgetown, SC US 29440