Hansard Leo Cole Iii

Hansard “Leo” Cole III entered the final and eternal inning of his life on Friday, December 6, 2019, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. His smile, genuine spirit, and devotion to Jesus Christ touched the hearts of many during his brief 25 years here on earth.

Leo was born on September 16, 1994, in Columbia, Tennessee to Jennifer Francis Chatman. He started his life out as a happy baby, even known as a “moma’s boy.” Even at the age of 5, he was trying to perfect his love of baseball when he made sure that he made All-stars. For every season of the year, Leo made sure that he found a team to play ball on. Leo gave all the credit to his Nina for his love of athletics. Although he perfected his sport, his most loving pastime was being with his family and fiancée.

At a young age, he enjoyed watching WWE with his Pops, a loving memory he leaves behind with his siblings, Rylee and Tyler, along with their collections of Pokémon cards and Pokémon Go. He also loved to aggravate his sister, Breanna. Twirling Autum’s hair, dancing and singing to a very eclectic selection of music, pretending to be a professional chef, and playing basketball with his brother Chase, and also sharing a love for Tennessee Football with Evan are a few memories that will be cherished by his family.

Leo’s eagerness to live was demonstrated over the last three years during his courageous battle with Synovial Sarcoma. He was led by a team of friends and family, usually covered in jerseys that said #LeoStrong or people that believed in his fight.

Leo is survived by his loving parents, Jennifer and Evan Chatman; siblings, Chase Cole, Breanna Chatman, Tyler Craig, and Rylee Chatman; Fiancée, Autum Jade Lancaster; grandfather, James “Daddy Jim” Chatman; uncles, Jimmy (Kristie) Francis and Rickey (Wannene) Chatman; children that he loved, Salem and Journey Maddox; and many other very devoted aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Linda “Nina” and Charles “Pops” Francis, Carolyn “Moma Carolyn” Chatman; great grandmother Gladys Lemay; and his aunt, Sherry Johnson.

His family will welcome friends into the Chapel of Williams Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant on Monday, December 9, 2019, from 3:00 – 8:00 PM. A Celebration of Leo’s Life will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, in the Chapel of Williams Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant. Pastor Steven Morgan, a beloved friend of Leo, will officiate the service. Burial will follow at Ebenezer Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Johnathan “Bubba” Francis, Joshua “Booboo” Francis, Jerrett “Mookie” Francis, Matthew Cox, Colton Cole, Jimmy Woodard, Johnny Potts, and Randel Venable. Honorary pallbearers will be Harold Padgett, Ashley Cox, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, and Fabi Powell whose husband passed away from Synovial Sarcoma and later established the Josh Powell Foundation.

Williams Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.williamsfh.com