Yancy, who went by Robbie, and his mother shared a strong Baptist faith and were regular churchgoers.
“What a woman,” Yancy told mourners at Cole’s funeral. “She taught me how to love. She had my back every time when I needed it. The greatest gift she ever gave me was Jesus. I cannot wait until that day that I see you again.”
At the funeral, one of Cole’s sisters read a condolence letter from then-President Barack Obama to Yancy.
Cole Augustus recalled her nephew as “a man of great strength and faith in God. He had an indomitable spirit. Everybody loved him.”