Charlotte Ware Haley

Transitioned from this life on June 12, 2017, at age 99. She was born in Belton, Texas, December 10, 1917, to Samuel Denton Ware and Charlotte Marshall Ware. Three years later the family moved to north Oak Cliff, her lifetime home. Studying under the concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and practicing often 4 hours a day, she became a virtuoso violinist, was selected concertmaster of the Dallas High School All-City Orchestra, and performed frequently around the area. At SMU she majored in violin in the Music School where she met cellist and her beloved husband of 71 years Dr. Arvel Haley. Also her studies in child development and psychology became a lifelong interest. She was a member of Delta Gamma and Mortar Board. After graduation she played in the Dallas Symphony and taught violin in the public schools. She had 4 sons, the first 2 during World War II while Arvel was serving long tours in the Pacific. After the war and recovery from paralytic polio, she began her career in social engineering: mothering the boys; violin, cello and piano practice master; Cub Scout den mother for 10 years; mentoring 4 tenderfeet to Eagles; PTA president; manager of family camping vacations; and for 15 years head of the Regional Science Fair through the Dallas County Medical Society Auxiliary, modeling the importance of scientific thought to the boys. All 4 graduated from SMU and UT Southwestern Medical School and practice medicine in Dallas today. A third career in merchandizing at Market Hall led to a serious interest in artistic silver jewelry making, her organic necklace compositions recognized by the annual State Fair of Texas Linz Award for first place in jewelry design 6 times. When things got quiet at home, she entered still another career, this time as the best receptionist and office manager her physician husband had in 40 years of practice. This gave her the chance to walk around the reception counter and hug all those patients she had “treated” by phone as they called for the doctor for, oh, those many years. Most of all she was a strong, brilliant, humorous, perpetually positive character, a mentor, disciplinarian and friend who brought out the best in those around her. She created a home with a joyous atmosphere, full of fun, great food and life lessons, nurturing 3 generations of the extended family. As recounted in her entertaining autobiography, she had a wise saying for every situation; for example, “Most of the world’s work is done by people who don’t feel well – so keep going!”; (after a disappointing loss or injury) “Don’t depend on sports for your happiness”; “It takes a big person to apologize”; “If you don’t use your mind, you have to use your feet”; “The best way to make a friend is to be one”; (in a moment of ennui) “Life is so daily”; “Practice, practice, practice”; (to a forlorn son) “Don’t worry about the girls now; just be worthwhile, and someday the girls will love you”; “Oh Joy!”

She was preceded in death by her dear husband Arvel, sister Mary Blanche Hill and brother Marshall Ware. She is survived by sons Drs. John, Robert, Steven and Charles Haley; her beloved daughters-in-law Margie, Stephanie, Sue and Marcie, who were so attentive in her declining years; her 8 grandchildren Kimberly Haley-Coleman and Greg, Clinton, Charlotte, Carl, Holly, Katie and Charles Haley; and her 6 greatgrandchildren Haley and Maggie Coleman and Travis, Lillian, Clara, Reid, Jack and Audrey Haley. The family wishes to thank friends Lynn Duval and Don Benton and the fellow residents and loving care-givers of C.C. Young Memorial Retirement Home. A celebration of Charlotte’s life open to friends of the family will be held on Saturday July 1, 10:00 a.m., in the auditorium in the Point Building on the C. C. Young campus, 4847 West Lawther Drive in Dallas. In lieu of flowers memorial tributes can be made in Charlotte’s name to Kessler Park United Methodist Church at kpumc.org, or to the SMU Meadows School of the Arts Division of Music, PO Box 70356, Dallas 75275-0356, 214-768-4421.