Jesse Thomas Hale, Sr., 98, passed away on October 22, 2016 at the Brian Center in Eden, NC.

A funeral service will be held at First Church of The Brethren on Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at 3pm with burial to follow at Ridgeview Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Hale was born November 3, 1917 to the late Joseph H. Hale and Martha Bryant Hale. He was a WWII veteran who served in the U.S. Navy. For over 75 years, Jesse was a very active member of the First Church of the Brethren as a beloved Sunday school teacher while serving on the Board of deacons. He was on the church building committee and was instrumental in the building of the church parsonage. He was the owner and operator of Quality Cleaners that opened In December of 1947.

Surviving are his children, Melinda Joyce and husband Lemmie of Eden, J.T. Hale and fiancé Doris Edwards of Eden, Denise Blakeney and husband Jim of Pearisburg, VA, and Susan Walker and husband Greg of Winston-Salem; son-in-law, Jim Sineath. He also had 8 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Edith Rickman Hale, his daughter, Karen Hale Sineath, four brothers and three sisters.

The family would like to say a special thanks to Eleanor, Joelene, Nancy, Kyra, and the staff at the Brian Center.

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 24, 2016 from 6-8pm at Fair Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Gideons (709 Washington St., Eden NC 27288), or to First Church of the Brethren (730 Church St., Eden, NC 27288).

Online condolences can be made to www.fairfuneralhome.com