Mary Agnes Hale

Ava, Missouri

Mary Agnes Hale, Ava, Missouri, passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 24, 2026 at the age of 86 years, 4 months and 27 days.

Mary was born on March 28, 1940, on a hilltop in Tennessee, the eldest daughter of Ernest and Ruby (Walker) Yates. On November 26, 1977, Mary married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Hale.

Mary taught at Ava Junior High for 30 years. After retiring, she spent 23 winters in Fort Myers with her best friend, Barbara Catterton. Together, they also participated in Sojourners, traveling and knocking on countless doors to share God's love. Mary was a devoted member of the Church of Christ and especially enjoyed returning to Tennessee each year for the Diana Singing, where she joined others in the a cappella congregational singing, she loved.

After Bob's passing, Mary lived independently for 22 years. True to her strong-willed and determined nature, she continued to do things her own way, remaining strong, self-reliant, and active until the last few months of her life.

Mary was a gifted singer and artist. She had a deep love for genealogy and cherished her role as the family historian, preserving stories and connections for generations to come. She could drive an RV and a school bus, and even fly an airplane.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Ruby Yates; her husband of 26 years, Bob; her daughter, Tracy Murphy; her sister, Gwen Swearingin; her niece, Glenda Messersmith; and her step-grandson, Dee Epps.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jan and Brent Fleischman; her grandchildren, Taylor (Dominic) Buzzelli and Cole (D’arrica) Fleischman; and her great-grandson, Krew Buzzelli. She is also survived by her sister, Cheryl (Richard) McClung; her nieces and nephews, Pam (Rodney) St. John, Jim (Sundy) McClung, Amy (Todd) VanGorden, and Susan (Dejan) Dimitrijevic, and their families; her stepchildren, Patricia Epps and Kenneth Hale; her step-grandchildren, Rebekah, Shelley, Tina, Elizabeth, Sonja, and Sarah; and numerous step-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mary will be Friday, August 28, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. in the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, Missouri with burial following in the Goodhope Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday prior to the service at 9:00 A.M. Officiating will be Joe Corum. Memorials may be made to Church of Christ or Ava Public School Library.