Shirley Hale

Shirley Lee Hale of Sherwood passed away peacefully on July 15, 2011. She was 74. Born on July 21, 1936, in Little Rock, Arkansas, she was the eldest daughter of the late J.W. and Jesse Hefner. Shirley spent the majority of her youth in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she fondly remembered swimming in Lake Ponchartrain and riding the street cars. She met the love of her life, Milas Hale, on a blind date in Danville, Arkansas. They were married on April 5, 1957, and had two sons, Milas (“Butch”) and Jay. They made their home in Sherwood, Arkansas, where they had many friends and made wonderful memories. Shirley was known for her warmth, kindness, sense of humor, volunteer work, and devotion to her friends. She had an affinity for iced tea and loved listening to Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra. She enjoyed trips to various destinations and had been everywhere from Hawaii to Israel. Her favorite places were Colorado and Lake Tahoe. She adored her family and spent as much time with them as she could. She was always fun company to her granddaughters, who spent much of their childhoods playing joyful games of hide-and-seek at her house or accompanying her on shopping trips. She also spent much of her time in Brandon, Mississippi, with her beloved sister, the late Elaine Bassett. Shirley and Elaine had an inseparable bond that they maintained throughout their lives despite living so far apart. When Elaine passed earlier this year that bond was continued with Elaine’s daughter, Kim. Shirley (known as Gran to her grandchildren) was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and devout Christian. She dearly loved the First Baptist Church of Sherwood and her Sunday school class. She remained loyal to her Wesleyan heritage. Her love knew no bounds. Her daughter-in-law Lori described her as an “example of a Proverbs 31 woman.” She will be sorely missed by those she leaves behind. She is survived by her husband, Milas; son Butch (Kath) and Jay (Lori); granddaughters Jenna and Hannah (fiancé Utaw Zakrzewski); niece Kim Taylor (Bill); nephew Chip Bassett; sisters-in-law Anne Hale, Beverly Stanley, and Sheila Holmes; brother-in-law Alan Holmes (Shirley); nephew David Dennis (Bonnie), and brother-in-law David Hale (Sue); cousin Ann Moss (Mike); cousin Bill Bolling (Vickie); nephew John Hale Jr., (Terri); niece Sue Cheshier (Doug); niece Annette Farrar; nephew Phillip Hale (Roberta); nephew Patrick Hale; and niece Peggy Hale. The family wishes to thank Dr. Syed Mazher for his wonderful care and devotion. He simply worked miracles. The family would also like to thank the caring staff of the CCU ward of Baptist Health Medical Center in North Little Rock. Her doctors and nurses were the best. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, July 23, 2011, at the First Baptist Church in Sherwood. It will be conducted by Dr. Don Moore, Pastor William L. Robinson, and Brother Paul Holderfield, Jr. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Sherwood Building Fund, 701 Country Club Road, Sherwood, Arkansas 72120, or to Brother Paul’s Friendly Chapel Soup Kitchen, 116 South Pine Street, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72114. Cremation was performed by the North Little Rock Home per her wishes. Online obituary and guest registry at www.nlrfh.com.

Shirley Hale

July 21, 1936 - July 15, 2011