Laverna Jo Hale

Jo was born in Lubbock, Texas on January 27, 1930 to Louis Albert Corbell Sr. and Angel Della Corbell. She graduated from Three Way High School, where she was an excellent student and basketball player. She attended Droans Business College and went on to work as a bookkeeper at several businesses in Lubbock and Levelland.

On June 25, 1954, Jo married the love of her life, Melvin, and they lived in Levelland for 8 years before moving to Maple, Texas to farm. In 1969, they moved back to Levelland permanently. Jo and Melvin had two sons. Jo’s family was the pride and joy of her life, and she never passed up an opportunity to brag on her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids.

Jo’s talents were many. She was a gifted seamstress, making clothes for her granddaughter, nieces and many others. She also made drapes for many people in the community of Levelland and was an excellent upholsterer and crocheter.

Once Jo set her mind to something, she would not only achieve her goal but excel at it. In her 50s, she took classes at SPC in voice and mandolin. She played piano beautifully, and later in life took up playing the harmonica, which she would often practice while driving, playing along to cassette tapes in her car.

Jo was known by her family to be an excellent cook, and always prepared favorite meals and desserts for birthdays and other special occasions. She loved doing crossword puzzles and never missed an episode of Wheel of Fortune.

Jo went back to SPC in 1988 to earn her real estate license. She went on to get her broker's license and ran her own office before retiring to enjoy time in Brownwood with Melvin.

Above all, Jo was a devout Christian, having been a faithful member of 3rd and M Church of Christ in Levelland for many years. She could be found studying her Bible every morning, and was a constant source of support and comfort for those in her church community.

Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Hale; son, Mark Hale; brothers, Louis Albert Corbell Jr. and Kenneth Corbell; and sister, Frances Hyman. She is survived by her son, Larry Hale and daughter-in-law Debbie of Levelland; grandsons Craig Hale and Landon (Tiffany) Hale of Lubbock; granddaughter Leslie Hale of Austin; great-granddaughters Jolie and Marley Hale; and sister, Anita Holt, and numerous nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com for the Hale family.