“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). On August 6, 2024, Joanne Sandefur Hale, dropped her robe of flesh and was received into the arms of her beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, at Wellington Parc. She was born October 18, 1937 in Daviess County to the late Margaret Whitaker Sandefur and Darrell Sandefur. She married McAtee “Junior” Hale on April 30, 1955, sharing 61 years together until his passing on July 16, 2016. She was a charter member of Church of the Firstborn, where she served in numerous roles, including pianist for a number of years. Joanne always looked forward to attending the various Sovereign Grace Bible Conferences, hearing the Word of God preached. An avid bowler, she was also a member of the New Generation Bowling League.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Douglas Sandefur; and sister, Mary Lou Settle.
She considered being a wife and mother one of the greatest blessings of her life. Surviving her are her five children, Darrell (Merry) Hale, Ricky (Julie) Hale, Cathy Stroup, Alesha (Joe) Saalwaechter, and David (Martina) Hale of Tennessee; bonus son, Billy (Mimi) Morton of Evansville; eight grandchildren; Kristopher (Morgan) Hale, Emilee Sosh, Cessilee (Tim) Blair, Tanner (Sarah) Stroup, Jessica Newton, Mamie Hale, Maegan Hale, Josi Saalwaechter; eight great-grandchildren, Ireland Sandefur, Lilly Newton, Piper Newton, Taylor Sosh, Annalee Sosh, Hadley Hale, Cece Blair, Ty Blair, and one on the way; step-grandchildren, Abbey and Stephen Saalwaechter; one sister, Peggy Brewer; sister-in-law, Dorothy Tice; a special niece, Paula Wahler; and many other nieces and nephews.
The celebration of her entering into the presence of her Savior will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, August 9, 2024 at James H. Davis Funeral Home and Crematory officiated by Pastors Darrell Hale and David Hale. Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Community Cemetery in Elba, Ky. Visitation is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Church of the Firstborn, P.O. Box 134, Owensboro, KY 42302.
“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57).