Mrs. Jacqueline Jacquie H. Hale Washington

Tribute to my wife:

It's very hard to believe that I'm saying a temporary goodbye to someone that I have loved and has been a part of my life for 66 years; I say a temporary because I know that I will see her again on the other side.

Jackie and I started out in the first grade together in 1951 at the old Baldwin County Training school in

Daphne, Alabama. I had a strong feeling for this little pig tail wearing girl even in the first grade. I can remember one thing in particular, we had to pull names for Christmas presents in the second grade and

I wanted her name so bad I went home and told my mother that I had pulled Jackie Hales name and I had to get her a present. Jackie and I finished high school together and I guess we both knew we would

someday get married, and we did in 1966. I can honestly say we have not spent two weeks apart since that time. We spent 22 years in Knoxville, Tennessee, raised a family and built a good life together. Jackie was the one that would get the ball rolling in most of the good things that happened in our life.

I had to jump on board or get left behind. It was like she set the course and I would do the driving.

It will take a great deal of getting used to her not being around anymore, but I will have joy in the seeds she left behind in our two children (Lesley & Justin) and three grandchildren, (Bailee, Jordan & Rhyan) whom she loved dearly.

Jackie's memories will live on with me, family and friends for the rest of our lives. As an old R&B song once said, it's so hard to say goodbye, but we all will have to say it one day.

The Washington family would like to give thanks to the many friends and family members who have shown support for her during her down time.