Mrs. Willodine Oakley (Oakley) Hale

Dr. Willodine Oakley Hale, 61, a resident of Canton, Georgia, passed away at her home on Wednesday, January 17, 2018.  She was born March 26, 1956 in Reform Alabama to the late William Lloyd and Georgia Mae Oakley. 

Dr. Hale graduated from Carrollton High School, Carrollton, Alabama.  She received her BA degree from the University of Alabama, MA degree from the University of Alabama-Birmingham, and Doctorate of Education degree from Nova Southeastern University.

She initially met her husband, Cleve Hale, III, at age 11 as middle-schoolers in Carrollton, Alabama.  On January 26, 1978, the two married and of this union they had three children.  

Dr. Hale served as an educator her entire life.  She taught Special Education at Lassiter High School and eventually became Department Chair, as well as a member of the school’s Administrative Team.  Following her tenure at Lassiter, she worked as a Supervisor for Special Student Services in the Cobb County School District.  Upon her retirement, Dr. Hale served as a consultant to the Marietta City Schools and co-owned a Tom + Chee restaurant. 

Dr. Hale is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Cleve Hale, III; her children, Traci McDuffie (DJ) – Milton, Georgia, Ashli Hale – Charlotte, North Carolina, and Lori Caddell (Matt) – Canton, Georgia; and a host of other relatives, loved ones, and friends.

Service for Dr. Hale will be Saturday, January 27, 2018, 11:00 A.M., at Allen Temple A.M.E. Church, 232 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock, Georgia 30188. She will lie-in-state from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of service.  Interment will follow the service at Cherokee Memorial Park, 120 Memorial Drive, Canton, Georgia 30114.  The family will receive friends at Mack Eppinger & Sons Funeral Home on Friday, January 26, 2018, from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Mack Eppinger & Sons Funeral Service, Inc. has full charge of arrangements.

 Service Information