Nancy Hale Obituary

Bernice Hale, 83, of Clovis, NM was born Mr. 19, 1941 in Fort Sumner, NM to the home of Virginia Caroline (Norris) and Edward Leo “Jack” Bell, and died in Lubbock, TX Oct. 16, 2024.  Bernice grew up in Fort Sumner, and graduated from high school there in 1959.  Her future husband, Neal Hale, was employed by the Santa Fe Railroad, and was working in Fort Sumner.  They were married in Bernice’s sister’s home in San Jon, NM on June 3, 1961.

Over the next several years, Mr. Hale’s work moved them to El Paso, Carlsbad, and Yeso, NM before they were able to establish a home in Portales.  In 1989, they were transferred again to Albuquerque, where they remained until his retirement in 1993. She and her husband traveled for a time in their motor home before making a home in Ruidoso, where they lived until 2006.  At that time, they traveled again until deciding to purchase a home in Clovis in 2007.  Together, they completely remodeled that house.

Mrs. Hale was an excellent seamstress.  She also enjoyed doing crochet.  As her children were growing up, she was supportive of their activities.  She served as a Campfire Leader and a “Mom” for Rainbow for Girls in Portales.  She and Mr. Hale were members of the Order of Eastern Star in Portales where she had served as Worthy Matron for the chapter.  Through her social contacts, Mrs. Hale helped to organize several weddings.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Portales.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Tonya Hale of Amarillo, TX; two daughters, Laura Messer and husband, Troy of Midland, TX and Lisa Hale and Howard Miller of Portales; several grandchildren, including T. J. Messer, and Shaycee and Tyler Lawing; a great-grandson, Ryker Schulein; a sister and brother-in-law, Bonnie and Ronald Stoner of San Jon, NM and a sister-in-law, Jo Bell of Ponderosa, NM.  She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Edward Leo Bell and by her beloved husband, Neal Hale who died June 15, 2023 after more than 62 years of marriage. Mrs. Hale will be interred in the Fort Sumner Cemetery.  No formal services are planned.

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