PEMBERTON, COLE WILSON (2009). The following is an obituary for Cole Wilson Pemberton, son of Justice Robert Harrison Pemberton.
Cole Wilson Pemberton, infant son of Becky Yates Pemberton and Judge Bob Pemberton, died in his Austin home on May 19, 2009, the 74th day of a life lived heroically and well-loved. Cole was diagnosed shortly after birth with Trisomy 18, or Edwards Syndrome, a condition presenting profound physical challenges and prohibitive odds against survival. Cole's fighting spirit enabled him to far exceed the typical life expectancy of babies with his condition, and to live more than two-thirds of his days at home with his family rather than in a hospital. Cole spent his days being held and rocked by Mom and Dad, grandparents, aunts, friends and admirers; enjoying the sights and sounds of big sister Ella and big brother Harris playing in his room and performing for him; and taking in with wide-eyed wonderment the sunrise, flowers, birds, and other beauty of this world that those of us blessed with more time here tend to overlook. Other highlights of Cole's life are celebrated at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/colepemberton.
In addition to his parents and siblings, Cole is survived by grandparents Roxanne and Fred Yates of Roswell, NM, and Jo Ann and Stan Pemberton of Temple; aunt Sarah and uncle Hunter Glass of Royse City; aunt Amanda Yates of Austin; aunt Jayne, uncle Ben, and cousin Beckett Thorp of Richmond, VA; Becky and Bob's aunts, uncles, and cousins; and Cole's numerous friends and admirers.
The family is grateful for the many friends who offered prayers, support and other help during Cole's life, and for the many extraordinarily gifted and compassionate health care professionals who assisted in Cole's care. Special thanks go to "Nurse Becky" Roberson and "Nurse Sharon" Jones of the Seton Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; "Nurse Paula" Pratte of Hospice Austin; and Drs. Sarah Legett, Elizabeth Bartlett, and Simon Michael.
Following a private burial, a celebration of Cole's life will be held on Friday, May 22, at 11 a.m., at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3003 Northland Dr. (RR 2222) in Austin.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions in Cole's name to the Seton Fund in support of the Marialice Shivers Regional Neonatal Center, 1201 West 38th Street, Austin, Texas 78705; or to the Children's Medical Center Foundation of Central Texas, 4900 Mueller Blvd., Austin, TX 78723.
