Mrs. Ila "Cricket" Hale

Mrs. Ila "Cricket" Hale, 79 of Iola, passed away Monday, April 27, at her home after a brave, two year long battle with lung cancer. A memorial service will be planned by the family at a later date. Cremation services have been entrusted to Nobles Funeral Chapel.

Born in Spiro Oklahoma, she had an identical twin sister, Anna. Cricket graduated high school in San Diego, California and joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. She was awarded the Sharpest Wave Aboard Commendation during her enlistment. At the age of 18, she married Jim Hale.

Cricket worked most of her life as a professional secretary for large corporations. She was a scuba diving World Champion two years in a row. Cricket was co-owner and manager of The Singleton Store and The Liquor Store for 19 years.

Cricket was an active member of Kingdom Hall in Navasota, Texas and enjoyed working with her sister members.

Cricket is survived by her devoted husband of 62 years, James R. “Jim” Hale; daughters, Terry Hale and Sandy Hale; and grandchildren, Adeline Hale and Ellery Hale.