Shirley Hales Obituary

Shirley Ann Gillespie Hales, 83, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2025. She was born on December 27, 1941, in Memphis, Tennessee, to the late Bill and Mary Gillespie. Shirley was raised in Osceola, Arkansas, before moving to Jonesboro as a teenager, where she lived the rest of her life. She was a 1959 graduate of Jonesboro High School. Shirley was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, W.L. Gillespie; and her sister, Sarah Riggs. Shirley is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Maxie Hales Jr.; her sons, Steve (Tammy) Hales of Little Rock and Michael Hales of Jonesboro; her sister, Martha Faught; her sister-in-law, Myrna Gillespie; and her grandchildren, Rees (Lacie) Hales, Austin (Kristen) Hales, Clayton Hales, and Madison (Sean) Taylor. She also leaves behind her beloved great-grandchildren: Nylie, Luke, Remi, and Hazel Hales, and Jackie and Asher Taylor. Service will be Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 2:00 P.M. in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Bro. Tommy Walker officiating. A private entombment will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery with active pallbearers being Austin Hales, Clayton Hales, Brad Faught, Rees Hales, Kyle Faught, and Randy Hales. Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 P.M. prior to the service. For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, st.jude.org/donate.