Carrie Ellen Hale

Carrie Ellen Hale was born with a song in her heart and spent each of her 88 years singing a verse at a time. Beginning in her school choir and subsequently over 70 years spent lending her voice to church choirs, she found a song for every season.

She loved life, and her happiness was contagious. Her greatest joy was her family and she frequently made a joyful noise with her four children, seven grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren in tow. It was by her side that her family was introduced to their faith and their church. She never failed to say “I love you” – and everyone knew she meant it. Sunday nights were family fun nights, complete with popcorn, fudge, and Pepsi gathered around the Ed Sullivan Show.

Carrie loved people, and as she rejoiced in being surrounded by her choir, so she relished the opportunity to volunteer her time to others. She gave of herself in church committees, as treasurer of her homeowners’ association, and was a patient ambassador at Sparrow Hospital. She would never pass up the opportunity to go out to lunch with family or friends, and she was always there when any of them needed her.

Even when the song in her heart was mournful – as at the passing of her son, Jeff and her loving husband, Don – she found a way to celebrate the gift their lives had been in her life. Every Christmas, she’d gather those she loved most around her to recite the family blessing she wrote, never leaving a doubt that her family was what she valued most of all.

When she wasn’t on the golf course, enjoying her reign as the “golf queen” in her ladies’ league, an unofficial title which she carried until she was 80, she was equally content in a day spent watching movies or the Hallmark channel or seeking adventure through travel. Her many RV adventures that took her cross-country to rallies featured in many of her tales, though the accomplishments and qualities of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were never far behind in her favorite stories to recount.

She never passed judgment, accepted all people, was always sincere and forgiving, and strove simply to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. She was unfailingly patient and lovingly supported her family. Her memory carries on in the hearts of those who loved her and whose only regret was that they didn’t hug her longer.

Born January 10, 1934, Carrie graced the world with her life until March 11, 2022, when she joyfully reunited with her husband, Donald; son Jeffrey; her parents, Alvin and Annabelle Moore; brother Owen; and sisters Lorene, Ferris and Madeline. She is lovingly remembered by daughters Judy Foley and Patti (John) Sliozis; son Gordon (Jacque) Hale; grandchildren Brandon (Alli) Foley, Robert (Bonnie) Hayes, Kelli (Nick Garcia) Fullerton, Brian (Alyx) Hayes, Donald (Courtney) Hale, Jordon (Jayme) Hale and Jeffrey (Olivia) Hale; and great grandchildren Luke, Theo, Parker, Brayden, Addison, Landon, Sophia, Avery, Noah, Kinsley, Haley, Hunter, Ella, Teddy, Emma, Gordy, Elijah, Jordon, Analeigh, Alayna and one on the way.

The family will receive guests on Wednesday, March 16, from 4-7 pm, at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 900 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI and one hour prior to the service at the church. A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Thursday, March 17, at Central United Methodist Church, 215 N. Capitol Avenue, Lansing, MI. Contributions may be made in Carrie’s memory to Central United Methodist Church or the Sparrow Foundation, 1322 E. Michigan Avenue, Suite 204, Lansing, MI 48912. Online condolences may be made at www.grlansing.com.

Serving as pallbearers are Brandon Foley, Robert Hayes, Brian Hayes, Donald Hale, Jordan Hale, Jeffrey Hale and Kelli Fullerton.

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