Visitation: 9:30 ~ 10:30AM, Thursday, Dec. 12 at the funeral chapel

Graveside Service: 11:00AM, Thursday, Dec. 12 at the Cabool Cemetery

Interment: Cabool Cemetery

Obituary:

Wilma Geraldine Dotson Hale was born July 30, 1932 to Tucker and Hazel (Skaggs) Dotson. Geraldine dedicated her life to the Lord and was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Cabool on Oct. 5, 1963. On Sunday, December 8, 2013 at 81 years old, she joined her beloved Emery in heaven. Geraldine, affectionately known as "Dude" or "MawMaw Dudie" by friends and family, passed away after an extended battle with the effects of congestive heart failure. Her family and friends find peace in knowing that she is no longer suffering.

Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Emery; her brother, Marvin Eugene (Buck) and her sisters, Nadine Carrelli and Betty Sweet.

Geraldine married Emery Hale on July 1, 1950. They shared a lifetime of love and dedication to each other and their three beautiful children that were bon of their union- Kim, Janey and JT.

She attended Cabool Schools and graduated in 1950. She worked at the shoe factory in Cabool for a short time, but most of her career was dedicated to J.W. Mushrush and Co. where she was part of their retail team until her retirement.

Geraldine was a talented artist. She enjoyed oil painting and shared her love of painting with Betty Sterner with whom she attended painting classes for many years. She also enjoyed crocheting, knitting and sewing. Family and friends cherished her beautiful creations and those pieces of love still adorn many homes.

For over 30 years, she played the upright bass alongside Emery playing his fiddle. Their fondest memories are of "jam sessions" with their dearest friends. A shared passion for bluegrass music resulted in the two of them traveling hundreds of miles to attend bluegrass festivals during the summer. In 1999, they made their first trip to Mission, TX where they spent eight winters making many new friends and enjoying the music they loved.

Geraldine was passionately dedicated to her family. She is survived by three children- Kim Hale of Cabool, Janey and Stan Hoffman of Cabool and J.T. and Jeanette Hale of Mtn. Grove; her brother, Gary Dotson of Cabool; seven grandchildren- Jennifer, Dawndy, Kodi, Jeremy, Trevor, Nicole and Curtis; and eight great grandchildren- Kailyn, Chayton, Riley, Cole, Mekenna, Emmarie, Dawson and Millie.

Geraldine will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She was a caring, supportive wife, mother, grandma and friend.