Deborah Lynn Hale

Deborah Lynn Hale, wife of Dennis Hale, mother of Rusty Hale, and daughter of Betty and James Queen, passed away unexpectedly on July 24, 2019 at the age of 58. On December 6, 1960, Deborah was brought into this world. A Georgia native, Deborah grew up in Oglethorpe County. Following high school, she attended the University of Georgia where she earned a baccalaureate degree in horticulture in 1983. Her love for everything that grows combined with her fearless and endearing personality led Deborah to many opportunities in the world of horticulture. At a young age, she began working with many of the top names in her field. Deborah worked with florists, landscapers, growers, gardeners, nursery owners, farmers, and private customers. She was a phenom in her own right as anyone in her field would attest – a true powerhouse of will, beauty, creativity, and spirit. On November 7, 1985, Deborah married the love of her life, Dennis Hale, in Savannah, Georgia. She used to always say “back then I had a handful of friends I loved more than anything in the world, and I married the only one that was straight.” The couple purchased a home in Between, Georgia to settle down. Three years after saying “I do”, Deborah confronted her husband to let him know “Dennis, I want to have a baby” to which he responded simply “okay baby.” On January 29, 1989, Savannah Rose Hale was NOT born. Instead, they had a boy! (Thanks, eighties ultrasound technology...) The child was named after Dennis’ father and grandfather, becoming Ralph Griffin Hale, III. And just in case this name was not long enough, Deborah immediately chose to nickname him “Rusty” – just for the Hale of it. Always the entrepreneur at heart, Deborah founded Hale’s Best, Inc. with her husband Dennis in the spring of 1995. With a combination of their talents, Deborah was able to continue her work in the field of horticulture. Her home in Loganville also became home to two greenhouses, several acres of gardens, and the many children, animals, and plants she cared for during her incredibly selfless lifetime. Deborah’s life began with trauma and challenges from which she was forever affected. She dedicated her life to bringing beauty into the world by treating all living things with respect, love, and appreciation. That is not to say she did not enjoy her alone time though… It would not be uncommon to find her by herself gardening or eating peanut butter straight out of the jar or blowing bubbles or taking a quick two-day nap. She used to say, “it’s never too late to enjoy your childhood.” This is why she loved flowers. All you have to do to flowers is let them grow. Of course they will die one day, but just look how beautiful they are beforehand. That beauty is what you remember – especially if you take the time to appreciate it. Deborah was taken from us too soon, but her life was beautiful. One of Deborah’s best friends passed away several years ago. The following day, Deborah felt compelled to go to her friend’s plant nursery. His nursery was where they had shared so many wonderful memories. Once she got out of her car she immediately broke down into tears. One of her friends, an employee at the nursery, hopped off a truck and ran over to her saying “Ms. Deborah, what’s wrong; why are you so upset?” Through her sobs she said “I just can’t believe this is happening. What are we going to do now?” Calmly and logically – as if it were the most obvious thing in the world – her friend said, “Mrs. Deborah, Mr. Buck is gone, and he’s not coming back. Just look around.” Deborah loved telling this story because it provided perspective and gave her peace – especially when it felt the most impossible. When things seem unimaginably hard, take a step back, see the present, and remember the good. Join us to celebrate the life of Deborah Hale at the State Botanical Gardens in Athens, Georgia on August 24th. We will be mingling, snacking, and sharing our favorite memories from 1 - 3 pm. All are welcome.Read Obituary