Sanders Franklin Hale

He was the son of Fred Charles Hale and Laurie Upshaw Hale and was born April 7, 1936, at the home of his grandparents, Sanders Upshaw and Ruby Cook Upshaw in Social Circle, Georgia. He was also the grandson of Albert Franklin Hale and Estelle Malcom Hale of Monroe.

Mr. Hale was the beloved husband of Lenoir “Nonie” Waller Hale for 42 years and is survived by her and their devoted children Laurie Lenoir Hale Bradford (Matt) of Nicholson; Charles Mitchiner Hale of Oxford, Mississippi; and Benjamin Waller Hale (Stacey) of Sharpsburg. Also surviving are his grandchildren Kayla Michele Bradford, Elizabeth Ann Bradford, Michael Lawrence Bradford, and Haleigh Marie Bradford, all of Nicholson, and Bryce Charles Hale and Tenley Loren Hale of Sharpsburg, all of whom Mr. Hale loved with all his heart. He is also survived by his sister Carol Hale Shumate (Jerry), Decatur, and his niece Christine Cloer Dailey and great niece Ruby Grace Dailey of Roswell.

Sanders Hale was educated in Social Circle City Schools, graduating in 1954 from Social Circle High School. In 1958 he received a B.S. degree in mathematics from North Georgia College and was commissioned 1st Lieutenant, United States Army Reserves. Mr. Hale was employed by Trust Company of Georgia in Atlanta in 1959 and moved to Athens in 1973 to work for the First National Bank of Athens (now Sun Trust Bank), from which he retired in 1998 as Group Vice President. He was a student of military history, particularly Civil War history, and traveled extensively with his loyal friend Charley Burch to various battle sites.

The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, February 18, at Bernstein Funeral Home, Athens. A celebration of his life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, Athens, on Saturday morning at 11 a.m., Drs. Glenn Doak and Joseph Berry officiating, with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.

Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Charles B. Burch, Rodney Canfield, Del D. Dunn, B. Lee Pierson, C. David Bell, Ralph M. Snow, Carl Nichols, Everett Jones, Jr., all of Athens, and Robert W. Greene and J. Alan Neal of Macon, and the members of the Class of 1958, North Georgia College.

In lieu of flowers friends may choose to donate to the First Presbyterian Church, Athens, or a charity of their choice.

The family expresses its deep appreciation to the nursing staffs of the Cardiac and Oncology Departments at Athens Regional Medical Center for their loving care.

Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.