Gladys Lee McFerrin Hale, 92, died Monday, July 17 at North Mississippi Medical Center, Tupelo. She was born March 21, 1925 in Mantachie, Mississippi where she enjoyed an idyllic upbringing surrounded by loving parents and extended McFerrin and Morris family. She was the daughter of John A. McFerrin and Eula Mae Morris McFerrin. She married Paul W. Hale in 1944 and with her husband owned and operated Black's Shoe Department in Tupelo. Mrs. Hale was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years and by her son, John Mark Hale.

She was a member of Harrisburg Baptist Church in Tupelo where she and her family were active and joyful members for over 60 years. Since November, 2011, Avon Lea, Tupelo has been her home.

Mrs. Hale was a gracious, hospitable, and lovely lady who held the title of Miss Itawamba County in her youth. She was concerned for the well being of others, always working sacrificially to meet the needs and wants of others. She loved and faithfully served her God, her family and her church. Being a good steward of all her relationships and all her possessions was important to her. Mrs. Hale was the "virtuous woman" of Proverbs 31.

Survivors include a son, Paul W. Hale, Jr. (Dot) of Oxford; two granddaughters: Laura Hale Williamson (John) of Hoover, AL and Audra Hale-Maddox (Jeff) of Fairfax, VA ; four great grandchildren: Anne-Hale Winter, Harrison Winter, Walt Maddox and Charlotte Maddox; three brothers: Horace Ray McFerrin (Eunice), Bobby Joe McFerrin (Mildred) and John Morris McFerrin (Bessie, deceased), all of Mantachie.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 4 p.m., Wednesday, July 19 at Lee Memorial in Tupelo with Dr. Forrest Sheffield officiating. Interment will follow in Lee Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mrs. Hale's great grandsons, Harrison Winter and Walt Maddox and her nephews, Joe McFerrin, Barry McFerrin and Gary McFerrin.

Visitation will be prior to the service on Wednesday at Lee Memorial from 3-4 p.m. Memorials may be made to Harrisburg Baptist Church, 4675 Cliff Gookin Boulevard, Tupelo, MS 38801.