Since his birth on April 14, 1924 in Toms Creek, Va. to the late Anne and Gurney Hale Sr., his life was full of excitement, laughter, and craftsmanship. He loved to tell stories of his childhood, courtship and marriage, his time with his family, friends and co-workers. He loved God, his family, and life itself.
His marriage to the late Mrs. Rebecca Moore Hale lasted 67 years and brought six children. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and retired from Eastman after 32 years of service. He was the oldest of 13 brothers and sisters.
Others preceding his death are his step-mother, Mrs. Geraldine Hale; his brothers, Huell Antoine and William Darrell Hale; an uncle William “Red” Hale; an adopted great-grandson Christopher Hale; and a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Brenda Simpson Hale.
He leaves to mourn his sons, Fred L. Hale (Carolyn Dulaney Hale) of Jacksonville, Fla.; Robert E. Hale Jr. of Atlanta, Ga., Carl E. Hale (Chynet Bond-Hale) of Kingsport, William E. Hale (Tarik Hassan) of Kingsport; his daughters, Dolores H. Singleton of Jackson, Tenn. Linda L. Wade (Rev. Donny Wade) of Kingsport; his brothers, Gurney E. Hale (Ruthie) of Christiansburg, Va., Edward E. Hale of Coalwood, W. Va., Larry D. Hale of Washington, D.C., Tevis L. Hale (Yolanda) of Coalwood, W. Va. and Lamont A. Hale (Midori) of Odenton, Md.; his sisters, Ms. Brenda Hale Felder, Ms. Valerie Hale Thorpe, Ms. Phyllis Hale Grubb (Allen), and Ms. Carolyn Hale Spriggins (Rev. Hiawatha Spriggins), all of Blacksburg, Va., and Ms. Clara Jackson of Kingsport ; a sister-in-law, Ms. Donzella Hale of Columbus, Ohio; a brother-in-law, Richard Lomax of Big Stone Gap, Va.; his best friend, Ralph Watterson, Allen Howell; a special god son, Ed Fanney, Jr.; a loving care giver Allison Caswell of Kingsport; 20-grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren and one great- -great-grandchild; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Homegoing Services will be held at the Central Baptist Church, 301 Carver Street, Kingsport Tenn. on Friday, April 3, 2014 at 12 noon.
The family will receive friends at 11 a.m. until the hour of the service, and anytime at 4017 Black Oak Drive, Kingsport.
Military Interment will follow the service at the VA National Cemetery, Mountain Home, Tenn.
The family would like to thank the Holston Medical Center ER and 5th Floor ICU staff and Dr. Andy Delwadia for the care of Robert E. Hale, Sr.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at hale@clarkfc.com
Professional services and care of Mr. Robert E. Hale Sr and family are entrusted to Clark Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service, Inc., 802-806 E. Sevier Avenue, Kingsport, Tenn. (423) 245-4971.
