Artice (Joe) Hale, Jr

Artice (Joe) Hale Jr. was born on March 21, 1937 to Artice Hale Sr. and Amanda Couch Hale (Haynes). He was the second of seven children born to the Hale/ Haynes household.
While few people knew or called him by his given name, he was affectionately known by all as Joe. Early in life, he united with the family church, First Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. C. L. Daughty. While there, he served in several capacities including Sunday School Superintendent. Shortly after graduating from Fair Street High School in 1958, he joined the US Army and served his country for 23 years, a portion of which was with the US National Guard. A devoted and hard worker, he also worked previously with Leece?Neville, Cargil, First Baptist Church? Green Street and Peerless?Winsmith Inc.. He also served the city of Gainesville as one of the first African American officers on the police force.
Joe loved life and lived it to it’s fullest. His big heart often led him to share, sometimes beyond what he was able, with whomever showed up with a need. He was quick to speak his mind and nobody had to wonder what he was thinking about.
Joe was the light of the family. Children naturally gravitated to Grandpa/Uncle Joe and he managed to develop a special and unique relationship with each one. Family surrounded and cared for him as his health began to decline. He moved to Lilburn, GA and although Joe never moved his membership to Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Lilburn, he was lovingly embraced by all.
Early on Sunday morning, Joe announced that he was tired which marked the beginning of his transition from the church militant to the church triumphant.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, his Step?father Rev. Clarence
Haynes Sr. and two of his siblings, Mary Lois Kesler and Milton Haynes. He leaves to cherish his memory two daughters, Belinda Richardson, Charlotte, NC, Kimberly Stephens, Oakwood, GA; three sons, Gregory Lewis Hale, Gainesville, GA, Lamont Weaver, California, and Darren Curtis Thames; four brothers, Robert Lee Hale, Clarence Haynes Jr., Rev. Richard B. (Beverly) Haynes and Curtis (Dianne) Haynes, Sr., five grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2020 at First Baptist Church, 1810 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Gainesville at 1:00 PM.
Visitation will be held on Friday at First Baptist Church between the hours of 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Professional Services Entrusted to Wimberly Funeral Home.