Jackie Hale

We love because He first loved us. I John 4:19

Jackie Hale, 81, of Piney Flats, Tennessee, went to her heavenly home on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

She was born in Kingsport, Tennessee, the daughter of the late Cecil B. Smith and Jane Hyatt Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her cherished son, Andy Hale.

Jackie was a person of great faith and member of Piney Flats Presbyterian Church. She delighted in worship through music and would often share scripture and songs with friends and family.

Jackie devoted her life to changing the lives of many, including her family, friends, and her countless students. She taught pre-school at Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church for six years before returning to school to earn her Bachelor and Master of Education degrees from ETSU. She had a love of teaching and all things math. She passionately taught elementary school in Sullivan County for over 21 years at Gravely, Sullivan, and Miller Perry Elementary. After retirement, Jackie missed the students so deeply that she returned to the classroom at Holston Elementary.

Jackie lived life to the fullest with a philosophy of “not what we have but who we have.” Jackie was an amazing cook and shared her love with friends and family through her recipes. She even loved going to the grocery store. She was a proud Tennessean and a devout Tennessee football fan. Her true joy was spending time on the lake with her four beloved grandchildren.

Jackie fervently loved the Lord, her family, and friends with all her heart. She was faithful and committed, always putting others before herself, expecting nothing in return. Her kindness, patience and encouragement made everyone feel extraordinarily special. Her perseverance and hope were an inspiration to all. She is irreplaceable and leaves a legacy of love with all of us so blessed to know her.

She is survived by Jerry, her loving husband of 62 years; one most adored daughter, Lynn Krutak and husband Jon, who she loved like a son; her precious grandchildren, Jacob Krutak and wife Jessie McCracken, Caleb Krutak and wife Avery Davis, Addison Hale and fiancée Christopher Benton, and Ayden Hale; and her darling, cherished great-grandchildren, Vaughn Henry Pavlik and Vivian Sloane Krutak.

Friends and family are invited to honor and celebrate Jackie’s life at 11AM on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at Piney Flats Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Robert Rainwater officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the Celebration of Life service beginning at 10AM.

The family is forever grateful to her wonderful physicians, care providers, nurses, and DaVita Tennessee Valley Dialysis Center.