Kathryn Hale

Kathryn Rackley Hale, 96, a beloved member of the Dalton community for more than 70 years, died peacefully on January 1, 2012, after a recent struggle with pneumonia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd L. Rackley, DDS, and Katie Hunter Rackley, by her brothers, Floyd Rackley and Robert Hunter Rackley, DDS, and her husband Clifford G. Hale, Superintendent of the Dalton Public Schools for 20 years.
Kathryn Hale grew up in Millen, Georgia, and graduated from Tift College in Forsyth, Georgia, where she majored in drama and English and served as her class president for three years. She taught school in South Georgia, where she met and married Cliff Hale before they moved to Dalton in 1939. After arriving in Dalton, she worked in the Parent-Teacher Association and the Dalton Education Association. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother for six years and Den Mother of the Year in 1957. The Dalton Junior Women's Club nominated her as State Mother of the Year.
Kathryn was a tireless worker with the youth and other programs of the Dalton First United Methodist Church. She was President of the Women's Society of Christian Service, a member of the Board of Christian Education, Youth Division Superintendent, and a Sunday school teacher there. She was also President of the Lesche Women's Club, the founding Chair of the Board of Directors of the Community Action Center, and a member of the Bird and Garden Club and the Lenna Judd Women's Club. Gardening and flower arranging gave her great pleasure.
Kathryn is survived by her sons: Floyd C. Hale (and his wife Charlotte) of Marietta and Hunter D. Hale (Suzanne) of Hendersonville, NC ; grandchildren: Lawson Hale (Yuri), Hunter A. Hale (Heather), and Mary Catherine Kindermann (Sebastian); and five great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be conducted in the Sanctuary of the Dalton First United Methodist Church at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2012 with Dr. Robin Lindsey officiating followed immediately by visitation with the family in the atrium of the church until 5:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Kathryn to: (1) Dalton Education Foundation, Inc. (Hale Excellence in Teaching Award Fund), P.O. Box 1408, Dalton, GA 30722; (2) Dalton First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 627, Dalton, GA 30722-0627; or (3) United Way of Northwest Georgia (Voluntary Action Center Fund), 816 South Thornton Ave., Dalton, GA 30722.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family ay www.lovefuneralhomega.com.
Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.