Dora Lee Hale, aged 78, of Denton passed away on May 27, 2021, in Denton. She and her twin, Cora, were born in Lewisville, Texas on February 3, 1943 to Charlie and Elsie (Graham) Howard.

She lived a life of service. She served God, family, and her community. She graduated from Cook County College with an L.V.N. degree. Working alongside her sister, Cora, they served 25+ years in the geriatric community and Denton State School. Once approved, she would even bring home residents of the Denton State School to her home to serve them a nice meal.

When she wasn't working she spent her time caring for her family, her animals, and her plants. She truly lived a life of love.

She was always with family. Any time or day of the year, she would have her family around her. Even when she worked overnight, she generally had a grandchild or two in tow. She especially loved a game of Skip-Bo, in which she became extremely competitive.

She was proud of and a defender of her children, grandchildren, and her vividly colored walls. She often shared memories of Mr. Ponder (her youngest son) and her second youngest son who "could never lie." In addition, on many occasions when her grandchildren were being "wrongfully" disciplined by their parents, she was well known for coming to their aid and getting them out of trouble…one way or another. Early in the mornings you would find her filling up her very bright blue and pink kitchen with the smell of her scrumptious biscuits and gravy for anyone that happened to stop by that morning.

Her adventurous spirit led to many side trips to WinStar where she played the best games of hide and seek. Once you dropped her off at the door, you had to find her. She was so skilled that she generally could not be located until she appeared next to you.

Her laughter was contagious to all regardless of the circumstances. You could find her laughing at a multitude of scenarios from decorating gone wrong to mowing down her own trees accidentally. She will be remembered for all the times she laughed "with" us.

She is survived by her daughters, Patti Malik and husband Saeed of Krum; Lisa Hale Grant and husband Calvin of Dandridge, Tennessee; sons, Kenneth Hale and wife Shannon of Sanger;  Lonnie Hale and wife Brandy of Denton; sister Carol Webb and husband Paul Webb of Ponder; brother Joe Howard and wife Cheryl Howard of Ponder; thirteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Nolan Hale, son, David Hale, sisters Barbara Corley, Cora Hilliard and Linda Starr, brother, Wayne Howard, and her mother and father.

Please join us to celebrate her life on Thursday, June 3 ^rd . The family will receive friends from noon until 1:30 PM at DeBerry Funeral Directors in Denton, Texas. A graveside service will be held following the visitation at 2:00 PM at Jackson Cemetery in Krum, Texas. Pallbearers are Jody Hilliard, Josh Hilliard, Eddie Webb, Wesley Webb, Curtis Hale, Christian Hale, Craig Locke, Aaron O'Dell, Marcus O'Dell, Robert Hale, and Kelley Frailey.