Services Saturday, July 18, 2020 11:00 am Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church Rev. Carl Harris

Viewing Friday, July 17, 2020 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Wells Chapel 811 Woods Street

Burial Oakwood Cemetery Jacksboro, TX

Clara Etta Garrett Hale was born on December 13, 1925 in Mineral Wells, Texas to Katie Mary Garrett and Dave Garrett.

Growing up in Jacksboro, Texas and Mineral Wells, Texas, Clara graduated from Dunbar High School in Mineral Wells, Texas. She went on to Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri where she met her husband Bob Hale. They were married and started a family and settled in East Texas and later Jacksboro, Texas.

When Midwestern University in Wichita Falls, Texas integrated in the mid 1950’s, Clara enrolled and commuted each way daily to classes. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1957, becoming the 2nd Black person to graduate from that institution. In 1960, Clara earned her Master in Elementary Education from Midwestern University.

Clara was passionate about teaching and mentored many new teachers throughout her 37 years in education. She was known for her beautiful child centered classrooms, superb musical ability and her philosophy that “every child can learn.”

As the biggest fan of her daughters in their activities, Clara attended every competition and game from elementary school through college. She also took great pride in the professional accomplishments of each daughter as they both became educators.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Hale aka Hale-O the Magician, her daughter, Dr. Gwendolyn Hale Samples and her grandson, Robert Carson Samples.

She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Hale Henderson (Cedric) of Los Angeles, CA; granddaughter, Dana Charles of Houston, Texas; grandson, Garrett Samples (Menár) of Washington, D.C., and great granddaughter, Baylee Samples of Houston, Texas.