Phyllis Magdalene Hale

Published 3:14 pm Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Phyllis Magdalene Whittemore Hale of Elizabethton, Tennessee, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, at her home at the age of 80. Phyllis was born in Carter County on Feb. 23, 1944, to the late Herman Pettibone Whittemore and Ida Florence Hill Whittemore. In addition to her parents, Phyllis was also preceded in death by her husband, Townie Jeter “T.J.” Hale Jr., in 2008 and an infant son, Townie Jeter Hale III, in 1967.

Phyllis worked for Great Lakes Research between 1966 and 1983, Tri-State Analytical Laboratory as an environmental chemist between 1984 and 2008, and for GPL Laboratories as the laboratory director from 2008 to 2009. Phyllis was a member of the American Chemical Society, tutored at Unaka Elementary after her retirement and was an overseer of the library at Roan Street Church of God. Phyllis enjoyed reading and watching the deer in her backyard. She was an avid Tennessee Vols fan and especially enjoyed watching the Lady Vols.

Those left to continue Phyllis’ legacy include her daughter, Holli Anna Hale Fair and husband, Sean, of Elizabethton; her granddaughter, Haley Fair Garland and husband, Isaac, of Elizabethton; a special exchange daughter, Betsy Duarte Shepard and husband, Gary, of California; her brothers, Benny Whittemore of Elizabethton and Louis Whittemore and wife, Donna, of Knoxville; and a sister, Marcia Seehorn of Georgia. Several nieces and nephews also survive, as well as her beloved and dedicated cat of 17 years, Susie.

A celebration of Phyllis’ life will be conducted at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in the Sunset Chapel of Hathaway-Percy Funeral Home, with Pastor Kenneth Bewley and Dr. Alan King officiating. The family will receive friends between 5 and 7 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service on Friday.

The graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at Hathaway-Percy Funeral Home at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday to go in procession to the cemetery.

The family wishes to thank Amedisys Home Health and Amedisys Hospice, Dr. Christina Hutchins and Katie Beth Eldridge of State of Franklin Healthcare, and special caregivers Debbie Stout, Carolyn Jackson and Valerie Vines.

Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations in honor of Phyllis to the Pat Summitt Alzheimer’s Foundation, 520 W. Summit Hill Drive SW, #1101, Knoxville, TN 37902, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Words of sympathy may be shared with the family by visiting www.hathawaypercy.com. Hathaway-Percy Funeral and Cremation Services is honored to serve the Hale family. Office phone: (423) 543-5544.