Thomas "Hale" Singletary, Jr.

Another of the great generation who saved the world from tyranny in World War II passed on peacefully to his reward on December 4, 2014, surrounded by his family. Thomas “Hale” Singletary, Jr. was born the elder of two children to Thomas Hale Singletary, Sr. and Alma May Singletary on November 26, 1925, and spent his childhood in Jackson, graduating from Central High School. When the flame of liberty was in danger of being extinguished, Hale volunteered for enlistment in the Navy at the age of 16 following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He fought in that great war for three years, serving in the Pacific on the USS Mobile in, among others, the invasions of Bougainville and Tarawa, attacks on the Marshall Islands, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

In 1946 he married Jean Poates of Clinton to whom he was married for 68 years and who survives him in death. They reared three children, all of whom also survive him: Larry Thomas Singletary (Wanda) of Midland, Texas; William Hale Singletary (Marty) of Clinton; and Penny Jo Stribling of Clinton. Hale is also survived by his brother, Robert Kenneth Singletary (Linda) of Brandon; six grandchildren, Brian Thomas Singletary (Taffy), Kelly Jean Hammontree (Shay), Mitchell Hale Singletary, Robert Todd Stribling ( Lynsey), Chadwick Glenn Stribling ( Katherine), and Jennifer Haley Bowman (Beau); and ten great –grandchildren.

Hale worked for and retired from Entergy after 33 years of service. He and Jean were founding members of a little mission church in Clinton, Morrison Heights Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon. Hale was a quiet and unassuming man who taught by example and lived out his faith dedicated to his family, friends, and community. He always had a broad smile, instant rapport and genuine interest in everyone he met. Hale fought the good fight and was faithful to his family and his God to the end.

The family will receive visitors from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, December 8, 2014, and from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at Lakewood Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. The family requests any memorials be made to Stewpot Community Services, P.O. Box 3610, Jackson MS 39207, Gateway Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 3763, Jackson, MS 39207, or the Morrison Heights Senior Adult Ministry, 3000 Hampstead Boulevard, Clinton, MS 39056.

Online guest registry available at lakewoodfuneralhomes.com