Marjorie Ann Hale

Marjorie Ann Shurling Hale left this life peacefully, surrounded by her children, on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 in Lake Ridge, Virginia. "Miss Margie", a long-time resident of Watkinsville, Georgia, was born on November 8, 1931 in Tennille, GA, the daughter of Harley Tug and Mary Eva Peavy Shurling. She graduated from Tennille High School and the Georgia State College For Women, where she earned a degree in Home Economics. Prior to graduation, she was hired by the Oconee County School District to teach high school in Watkinsville, and thus began her teaching career that spanned six decades. Marjorie taught generations of students and their children, and remained in contact with many of them even after her retirement. She met Bob Hale one night on a blind date when he was playing in a local band, they married in 1957 and enjoyed 26 wonderful years together until his passing in 1983. She attended Ashford Memorial Methodist Church where she was a charter member. Marjorie loved playing bridge, sewing, square dancing, canning vegetables, hanging out with her friends at Friendship Pool, attending Oconee County class reunions, eating at The Varsity, taking an occasional gambling trip to Cherokee, attending and supporting the activities of her grandchildren, and spending time with her family. She was an avid and unapologetic sports fan who loved the Georgia Bulldogs and the Atlanta Braves. She and Bob had season tickets to the UGA home football games, and Marjorie missed only one home game in 35 years - to have a baby. She was able to watch and enjoy her last Georgia football game and see her Dawgs win in her final days. She was a beloved fixture in the town of Watkinsville, and she will be missed by everyone who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Frank Shurling and Marion "Buddy" Shurling, and her husband Robert Burney Hale, Sr. Surviving her are her children and their spouses: Robin (Scott) Klingbeil of Napa, CA; Betsy (George) Marino, of Lake Ridge, VA; and Robert "Bobby" Burney Hale, Jr. (Natalie), of LaGrange, GA; grandchildren Tim Klingbeil, Joe Klingbeil, Brody Marino, Brooks Marino, Hannah Hale, and Hallie Anne Hale; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

A memorial service for Marjorie will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 23, 2016, at Ashford Memorial Methodist Church, 1 Main Street, Watkinsville. Burial will follow at Watkinsville City Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to visitation on Friday evening January 22, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Oconee Chapel, 2370 Hog Mountain Road, Watkinsville. In lieu of flowers, remembrances and contributions may be made to honor these causes in which Marjorie believed and supported: the Ashford Memorial Methodist Church "Keep Ashford Beautiful" fund in honor of her family; the Oconee Veterans Memorial Foundation, Inc. in honor of her late husband Bob; and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, to honor her grandson Joe.

Oconee Memorial Park Chapel, 2370 Highway 53, Watkinsville, GA 30677 is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com