Dr. Bobby Dee Hale

Bobby D. Hale, age 90, of Brownsville, TN, passed away Sunday morning, August 20, at the Tennessee State Veterans’ Home in Humboldt, TN, surrounded by his daughter and the wonderful staff.  Funeral Services will be conducted on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. at the Brownsville Funeral Home.  Burial to follow in the Brownsville Memorial Gardens.  A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at the Brownsville Funeral Home from 12:00 Noon until the service hour at 2:00 P.M.

Born in Henderson County, TN, on November 28, 1932, he was the son of the late Otis William Hale and the late Eva Mae Ballard Hale. He graduated from Jackson High School; Lambuth College; University of Tennessee Health Science Center, where he earned his Doctor of Medicine; and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a master’s degree in public health. He served honorably in the United States Army just after the Korean conflict, and was stationed for a time in Okinawa, Japan.

He worked as a Public Health Physician for over 25 years in counties all over West Tennessee, retiring in 1992.  

He met the love of his life, the late Joyce Johnson Hale, while working in Memphis during his training and while she was working as a Histologic Technician. Theirs was a love story that would last over 50 years.

Dr. Hale, Doc, or “Daddy Bob” could be described as a brilliant mind, a storyteller, quick-witted, but often serious. His hobbies and favorite things included aviation, clocks, classical music, gardening, birds, woodworking, books, travel, trivia, languages, and more. Many will remember him reciting the story of the birth of Christ for the Candlelight Service at Brownsville Baptist Church, in costume, and in English and Spanish. He also used his knowledge of language to help others in the local community through work with BBC, where he and his family were members for many years.

He was grateful for his family and we are eternally grateful for his presence and influence in our lives. We wish to express our gratitude to all of the TSVH staff, many becoming like family as they took such good care of him.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Cherie Hale Parker.

Those left to cherish his memory include:

His daughter, Beth Hale Cathey (Roger) of Oakfield, TN

Granddaughter, Elizabeth Cathey James (Jon) of Humboldt, TN

Grandsons, Christian Cathey and Cannon Cathey of Oakfield, TN

Grandson, Carson Cathey of San Gabriel, CA

Great-grandson, William James of Humboldt, TN

Great-granddaughter, Allie James of Humboldt, TN

Son-In-Law, James Parker of Jackson, TN

and an abundance of extended family and friends.

The family has requested in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.