Clinton Hale

December 24, 1921 - October 15, 2009

12/24/1921 - 10/15/2009

Past Services

Visitation
Saturday October 17, 2009
7:00 am - 8:30 pm

Service
Sunday October 18, 2009
2:00 pm
The Chapel at Sykes Funeral Service in Scotland Neck
202 East 10th Street
Scotland Neck, NC 27874
Directions
Additional Information:

The interment will follow the service at the Hobgood Cemetery in Hobgood, North Carolina. The Rev. Alvin Davis and Rev. Charles Bartholomew will be officiating the service.

Mr. Clinton ‘Yank’ Hale, age 87 died at Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount on Thursday, October 15, 2009. Mr. Hale is a native of Martin County. He was married to Hazel Long in 1952. To this marriage was born four wonderful children. Mr. and Mrs. Hale moved to Enfield in January of 1956. Mr. Hale worked for Georgia Pacific for ten years. Following his employment at Georgia Pacific Mr. Hale went to work for Eastern Petroleum where he worked until retiring in 1988.

Preceding him death are his mother and father, Mary and Willie Hale, three brothers; Cecil, Buster and Ralph Hale and one sister, Elizabeth Sawyer.

Survivors include his wife, Hazel L. Hale of the home, two daughters; Susan H. Mizelle and her husband Eddie of Red Oak and Pam H. Dickerson and her husband Will of Durham, two sons; Clint Hale and his wife Mary of Raleigh and Ron Hale of Raleigh. Also surviving are two grandchildren; Will and Thomas Mizelle

Subscribe
Notify of
4 Condolences
Inline Feedbacks
View all condolences
Pamela Hale Dickerson
14 years ago

Although Daddy was a man of few words, he was a thoughtful man. Without having to hear him say a whole lot, those who knew him loved him and knew that he was a good man. In raising his own children, he seldom had to speak, but when he did, we all listened.

Raised on a farm in Martin County – they grew sugar cane, made molasses, had milk-cows, ducks, chickens & pigs & more. His hands were talented – playing the guitar and keyboard, working on cars, driving all sorts of vehicles with absolute skill.

He loved to grow things & his yard certainly shows it. He had a garden every year – although she was too small to reach, Susan loved to step in his footprints in the freshly tilled earth. He mowed the lawn almost daily in the summer time. He loved to sit in his yard and admire the success of his plantings & ponder. We seldom knew his thoughts, but he would often smile and sometimes share a story if you sat with him for a while. He was a great storyteller too — hilarious stories. Clint got this talent from his Dad.

He loved to listen to folks like Jerry Clower tell fun stories Many nights at the dinner table, he would have us laughing so hard we’d have to stop eating & just laugh. He loved to laugh. His favorite movies and shows were always comedies – Hee Haw & the Jeffersons & Archie Bunker & Sanford & Son, & Mrs. Doubtfire. He loved the rodeo too.

He loved simple pleasures & good food: Oysters at Atlantis, Bar-B-Que from Gardeners, Steak at Texas or JR’s, coconut cake, pecan pie, strong coffee, cold beer & good bourbon. He loved old-time country music with Bill Monroe, Hank Williams, Lester Flat & Earl Scruggs.

We kept a menagerie of animals over the years and he loved every single one – turtles, a pony named ‘Little Bit’, and an assortment of cats and dogs of every size and color. Two Chihuahuas – Lady Bug and Chili Bean – were particularly long-lived & much beloved dogs. All animals gravitated to Dad, somehow sensing his gentle, quiet spirit.

He loved automobiles – especially GM cars, preferably Chevrolet. Keeping your car clean was critical when coming home to visit. Dad would fuss at you for having a dirty car.

He loved to dress well & especially loved hats. He kept a classic fedora in its box in his closet. A collection of caps from every part of the state grew in the closet with select favorites getting worn out, one-by-one. A cowboy hat was his 80th birthday present & a prized possession.

He gave the biggest rib-crushing hugs, loved his wife Hazel – no criticizing her around him! He loved his children. And although not one to say it, his life clearly shows it. He loved his grandchildren too – pulling them in the red wagon, holding them when they were sick & just being there if he was needed, for all of us.

He lived a great life — simple and honest. He was almost never sick and had never been in the hospital for illness until well into his 70’s. His exit was without drama or fuss, just like his life. There are richer more powerful men, but few can say they lived as good a life as Yank Hale.

Colleen Bunting
14 years ago

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Hazel,

I just learned today by reading Sykes Funeral Home online page that your husband passed away last week. You are in my thoughts and prayers. No doubt, your husband’s light will forever shine in the hearts and minds of those who were privileged to know him.

I will be thinking of you and your family.

Sincerely,

Colleen Bunting

Scotland Neck, N. C.

Elaine Ayers Mills
14 years ago

I am so sorry to hear about Uncle Yank’s passing. May God be with you and your family. May He give you the peace and strength you need for each day.

Beth Fowler Jones
14 years ago

Sorry to here of your lost.

May God bless and keep you in his arms.