Ethelene N. Hale

HALE, Ethelene, 85, of Brooksville, passed away in her home with her family, the morning of December 17, 2017.  She left this world peacefully in her sleep.  She leaves behind a legacy of family, her children and their spouses: Darcy and her husband Jimmy (deceased); Darroll, Carroll; Phyllis and her husband Dick, or Richard-as Ethelene used to call him.  Those children gave her six grandchildren: Jim Ray and his wife Gaby; Deanna and her husband Tony; Brian and his wife Jonna; Leona and her husband Clint; Jason (deceased); Leeanna and her wife Michelle.  Ethelene’s great-grandchildren (in order of grandchild) are Chelsy, Ashley, Marcus from JimRay and Gabby; Dakota, Chandler, Carolann, Davey from Deanna and Tony; Haylie, Heather, Kristen from Leona and Clint; Brian II, Hannah, Meghan, twins Lexi and Leah from Brian and Jonna.   Great-great-grandchildren: Kyrie from Ashley; Brayden from Hannah.  Ethelene and Ivan came to Brooksville from Virginia in the early 1950’s and quickly became pillars in the community.  Their combined activity in the church, historical society, fair association, and other community causes gave them great joy.  They traveled to and from Virginia in what could only be counted by the hundreds of times, visiting family from here to there.  Theirs nieces and nephews looked up to Uncle Ivan and Aunt Ethelene has a fair and sweet couple who would give you the last dollar they had and Ivan would often counsel with his words while Ethelene made a pot of coffee and got a slice of pie for you.  Ethelene was more than a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.  She dedicated her life to bring peace and love to all she touched.  Her heart was as pure as it was generous.  She loved singing with her husband, Ivan.  She would listen to him play that guitar and call him “my sweet man.”  Gospel and Bluegrass were her favorite- or any ‘ol hillbilly music.  She found the best in people when they couldn’t find it themselves.  Ethelene, Mother, or Granny (depending on what you called her) would give the world for her kids.   And we would give it back to her tenfold.  She lived a long, beautiful life filled with wonderful times and family and friends for whom her love could not be measured.  To know her was to love her.  She will forever be missed, but a piece of her will live in us for generations to come. 

Visitation will be 10-11am, Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at Merritt Funeral Home, Brooksville Chapel, where Funeral Services will begin at 11am, with Reverend Chris Mundell officiating.  Interment will follow at Lake Lindsey Cemetery.

ARRANGEMENTS BY

MERRITT FUNERAL HOME

BROOKSVILLE, FLORIDA

(352) 796-6699

“Family Owned and Operated”

www.merrittfuneral.com