Grace Hale

Grace Johnson Hale, age 87, died peacefully on December 18, 2016. She is survived by her children, Bob (Mickey) Hale, Laura (Robert) Lockey, and Tom Hale; grandchildren Robyn (Roger) Cox, Sara (Darren) Wise, Christopher McRobie, and Meagan McRobie; and great-grandchildren Bryson, Emily, and Claire Cox and Philip Wise. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Hale, and sister, Tommye (Roscoe) Wheeless.

Grace was born to parents Daniel and Grace Johnson in Oxford, NC.

She graduated from the Rocky Mount Schools and attended a year at UNC-Greensboro before cutting her education short to marry her husband Robert Hale.

Grace pursued many interests over the course of her life. She was a skilled artist and musician, painting pictures and playing the flute and the oboe. She followed in the footsteps of childhood hero Amelia Earhart to obtain her pilot’s license. In addition to raising her children, she worked at a number of jobs including the NC State Legislature and NC State University. She enjoyed reading genealogical records of her ancestors and watching NASCAR races. She was active in church and raised her children in a solid Christian home. She had an infectious zest for life and an equal and strong appreciation for the mountains and the beach.

Family and friends are greatly saddened at her passing, but are appreciative of the wonderful times we had with her.

Arrangements under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park, Raleigh, NC.