George Tyler Hale

George Tyler Hale, 69 of Riner, passed away on Monday, April 14, 2014. He is preceded in death by his parents, Roy Sr. & Lucy Almita Hale; two brothers, Lee Hale and R.L. Hale; daughter, Schelena Cox; and granddaughter, Kerry Goad.

George was a 40 year member of the Christiansburg Wesleyan Church where he held many positions. He was Vice Chairman for 22 years and Officer of Men’s Ministry. He taught SS and was a youth worker and sponsor where he drove the youth van for several years. He also drove the SS van. He tag-teamed with the Pastor and mowed the church grounds with his grandson, William, while his wife, Lucy, worked in the flower beds. He worked several days a year making apple butter. George and Lucy rocked the babies in the nursery for several years. George was a friend and father figure to many members of the church where he stayed active until his death. He worked for Cooper Industry until their closing in 1994. He then started farming and raising cattle on five of the farms he had leased, with his wife by his side, until his illness no longer allowed him to farm.

He is survived by his wife, Lucy Howard Hale of Riner; sons & daughters-in-law, Vergil & Wanda Hale of Riner, Leo & Cheryle Haley of Riner, Roy Haley of Christiansburg, and David & Debbie Hurd of Christiansburg; daughters & sons-in-law, Katrina & Clinton Price of Riner, Dixie Tolley of Buchanan, Wanda Culverhouse of Trinity, NC, Melita Stuart of Riner, and Betty & Eric Fraizer of Newport; 16 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; sisters & brothers-in-law, Francis & Galen Huff of Floyd, Etheline & Milton Duncan of Floyd; and special friends, Pete Brougman, Sonnie Lovern, and Judy Dickerson.

Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, 2014 at the Christiansburg Wesleyan Church with the Dr. David Hurd officiating. Interment will follow in the Hale Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church prior to the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Christiansburg Wesleyan Church, 525 Harkrader Street, Christiansburg, VA 24073 for the George Hale Memorial Fund for the church’s new LED digital sign.