JoAnne Dobbs Hale

JoAnne Dobbs Hale passed away peacefully on November 26, 2023 following a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born in Houston, Texas on July 8, 1939 to Margaret Parkinson Dobbs and Almon Cotton Dobbs. JoAnne spent her formative years in San Antonio where she attended Alamo Heights public schools and spent many hours in the dance studio as a ballerina. JoAnne was a majorette at Alamo Heights High School and forged many lifelong friendships during her educational years. Her Alamo Heights friends remained dear to her and were an active part of her life until her last days.

Upon graduation, JoAnne ventured to the panhandle of West Texas to attend Texas Tech University in Lubbock. While at Tech, she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority, participated in numerous Lubbock beauty pageants, was named Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity sweetheart, and was a finalist for Texas Tech Homecoming Queen. JoAnne met the love of her life, William Samuel Hale, on a blind date while at Texas Tech. Sam and JoAnne were married in 1960 while at Tech and Joanne graduated with a Bachelors’ degree in Education that same year.

Sam and JoAnne soon became proud parents adding three lovely daughters, Christi, Wendi, and Karen, in four short years. They moved frequently in those early years. Wanting her girls to have a stable home, life-long friends and good schools like JoAnne had experienced growing up, Sam accepted a job in 1970 at Jefferson State Bank and they moved to Windcrest in north east San Antonio. They raised their daughters in that idyllic community where they lived for 37 years and where many lasting friendships were formed, and memories were made. This was a busy time in their lives, but JoAnne still found time to volunteer as a troop leader for Girl Scouts of America, as well as other organizations her children were involved with. Sam, JoAnne and the girls would vacation in Port Aransas every summer with JoAnne’s parents and sometimes family friends and extended family.

When her youngest daughter started school, JoAnne began teaching in the Northeast Independent School District and eventually was blessed with a transfer to Windcrest Elementary just a few short blocks from their home. JoAnne stayed at Windcrest until she retired from teaching in 1996. Although she loved her students, it was the friendships forged with her teacher colleagues that she cherished most. These special ladies stayed close and got together often even in their retirement years.

Following the girls’ graduation from college, JoAnne and Sam hosted three beautiful weddings in less than two years. They loved their three sons-in-law and were proud of the relationship they shared, loving each other like brothers. Then along came seven grandchildren in ten years. JoAnne loved nothing more than vacationing and spending holidays with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed and applauded numerous graduations, recitals, sporting events, cheer competitions and debutante balls. In their retirement years, JoAnne and Sam enjoyed traveling the U.S. They decided to build their dream home on a beautiful hilltop lot in Summerglen, and they moved into their forever home in 2006. Sam unfittingly was diagnosed with cancer and lost his battle at the age of 70 in 2008.

JoAnne, wanting to continue their dream, stayed in their new home. She amazed her friends and family with her new-found independence. While she was perfectly content enjoying her hill country views, caring for her lawn and plants, and feeding her “pet” deer, she developed a very active social life. JoAnne was extremely proud of her Pi Beta Phi sorority sisterhood and she rarely missed traveling to their annual reunions or any opportunity to get together with these ladies. JoAnne became an active member of Bulverde United Methodist Church where she served on the pre-school council and decorating committee. Her Sundays were filled with purpose as she loved attending church and enjoying lunch after with her church friends. She also joined the Single Professional Network of San Antonio and was an active member until the last few months of life. She held office and planned numerous SPN events. She loved having friends to her house, and was always eager to host luncheons, reunions, Canasta and Mexican Train.

JoAnne is forever thankful for the many friends who loved and supported her throughout her life and especially in her final years and months. This includes her childhood friends, Alamo Heights friends, Windcrest friends, college friends, Pi Beta Phi friends, teacher friends, church friends, SPN friends and Summerglen friends.

JoAnne was preceded in death by her husband, Sam Hale, and her parents, Margaret and Almon Dobbs. Loved ones that will miss JoAnne until they meet again are her three daughters, Christi Ratliff (Rodger), Wendi Friesenhahn (John) and Karen Wilkins (John); grandchildren Hunter (Genevieve) and Madison Ratliff, Brooks and Brody (Marley) Friesenhahn, Jack, Sam (London) and Grace Wilkins; brother Danny (Maria) Dobbs; brother in-law Michael (Rita) Hale; her exceptional nieces and nephews; and honorary sister Alva Perez.

JoAnne and the family want to thank Dr. Ronald L. Drengler and his staff at the START Center for Cancer Care for their attention and compassion to JoAnne during her battles with cancer. JoAnne overcame so many odds and Dr. Drengler often told her “you make me look good”.

A Celebration of Life for JoAnne is scheduled for Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at the Bulverde Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. with pastors Hannah Hedgpeth and Sarajane Shubert officiating.

Donations in memory of JoAnne can be made to the Bulverde Methodist Church, the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choosing.