Funeral services were held at First Baptist Church in Temple, Oklahoma, on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Bruce Humphries officiating. Interment followed at the Temple Cemetery.
Visitation was held Sunday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home in Temple. Viewing was held Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until the visitation ended at 7:00 p.m.
Carol Jean (Worsham) Hale was born to Eural Osborn and Muriel Genevieve (Enochs) Worsham on Dec. 31, 1931, in Temple, Oklahoma, and departed this life in Temple on July 21, 2026, at the age of 94 years, 6 months and 21 days.
She married Bobby Verne Hale on Jan. 30, 1950, in Wichita Falls, Texas. They lived in Stillwater, where their first child, Kathy, was born. They soon returned to Temple, where Bobby went to work for Carol’s dad at Worsham Bros. Filling Station and part-time at Temple Milling Company. The mill soon became a full-time operation as it grew, and Carol gave birth to their son, Robert.
Carol was a full-time mother until Robert was older, after which she began keeping the books for the mill. In 1974, she and Bobby purchased Temple Milling from her parents, a business originally owned by Carol’s grandparents. In 1981, they partnered with Andy Rylant in Aero Crop, a crop-dusting service, and the couple also enjoyed operating their land and cattle operation.
Carol was an active member of First Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School, led GAs, and played the piano and organ. She and her good friend, Merlene, rode the train to Walters together as children to take piano lessons from Mrs. Nelson. She was a talented seamstress and made most of Kathy’s clothing during her school years.
She and Bobby enjoyed attending horse races, checking cattle together, and traveling for many years to Lake City, Colorado; Montana; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Acapulco. Carol enjoyed cooking for her family, trips to the beauty shop, shopping with Kathy, spending time with Robert and Val at Rockin H Steakhouse, and especially treasured time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was grateful for the loving care provided by her private caregivers, Loveina Paige Bayless and Ann Montgomery Mosley.
She was preceded in death by her parents, E.O. and Muriel Worsham; her husband, Bobby Hale, in 2020; her sister, Marcia Elkins, in 2026; and twin infant grandsons in 1976.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Keith Jennings of Lawton; her son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Valerie Hale of Temple; four grandchildren, Bridget Williams and Justin of Tuttle, Oklahoma, Rylee Paul and Beau of Temple, Konner Hale and Madison of Temple, and Karington Keck and Colten of Velma; eight great-grandchildren, Addison Tompkins, LaRynn Matlock, McKenzie Williams, Walker Paul, Frankie Paul, Holt Hale, Doc Keck and Chandler Keck, with another great-granddaughter on the way; bonus granddaughter Mackenzie Chitwood and Sean of Edmond, Oklahoma; her brother-in-law, Charles Elkins of Lawton; her niece, Pamela Trauber; her nephew, Dr. Greg Elkins; her beloved rescue dog, Polly Ann; grand dogs Harry, Tucker, Louie, Gator, Charlie and Lucy; along with many other relatives and friends.
