Sollis Edmund Hale

Mr. Hale was a native of Chattanooga, a member of Tyner United Methodist Church and a WW II US Navy veteran serving 6 years and obtaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1950 from the University of Chattanooga, Master of Education in 1986 from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; and his doctorate of Education in 1994 from UTK and Newport University.

His professional career started in 1967 for Community Action Agency writing programs to obtain funding for alcohol and drug rehabilitation. He was instrumental in creating additional programs for Fortwood Center, Valley Hospital, Green Leaf, Cadas and numerous hospitals around the country.

He taught many years as a adjunct facility member at UTC and Cleveland State Community College and retired as a professor at Cleveland State in 1996. He also was a licensed professional counselor for the State of Tennessee. He was in the first class of counselors of Contact of Chattanooga and continued volunteering for 15 years. He was a volunteer at the Tennessee Aquarium until his failing health. With his love of nature, he enjoyed sharing his knowledge with visitors at the Aquarium.

His greatest pleasure in life was traveling with his wife Betty all over the world, with their last trip to Alaska in August 2010. He also enjoyed playing golf, reading and wildlife.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Hale Taylor; father, Gaither Brown Hale; brothers, James Findley Hale and John Triplet Hale; and grandson, Robert Kotar.

Leaving behind is his wife of 45 years, Betty Walker Hale; daughters, Virginia Lee (Barry) Kotar of Tucson, AZ., Rebecca Ann Van Court of Vero Beach, FL.; son, Robert Edmund (Yvette) Hale of Vero Beach, FL.; Step-sons, W. Scott (Myra) Davis of Chesapeake, VA. and Gregory Allen (Richard Morris) Davis of North Little Rock, AR.; step-daughter Margie Davis (Mark) Burgin of Chattanooga; 11 Grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lena Mae Spencer of Mechanicsville, VA and Dorothy Nuckels of Richmond, VA; and cat, Romeo.

He completed a lifelong goal of writing a book “Effective Chemical Dependency Counseling” in 2005.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to Hospice of Chattanooga or Tyner United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 PM on Friday, Feb. 18th and from 11 AM to 1 PM on Saturday at the funeral home.

A memorial service will be held 1 PM on Saturday, Feb. 19th at the funeral home with Dr. Robert Haskins, Dr. Curtis Schofield, and Rev. Scott Davis officiating.

Private graveside services will be Monday at Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Arrangements are by East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 S. Moore Road.