Margie Marie Skaggs Hale was the matriarch of our family. She led our family by providing an example of deep love, integrity, and was a prayer warrior. She showed us an earthly example of Christ's love for His church, by being an ever diligent and faithful wife to her husband for 74 years.

She was born in Iraan, Texas to Robert Stanley Skaggs and Arrie Dell Joiner Skaggs. She grew up living the farm life and loving sports, especially basketball. She attended and graduated from Duster ISD. After graduating high school early, at the age of 16, she attended a revival at Liberty Baptist Church where she met Argie Hale. A few days later she received a letter asking her out on a date from Argie. She decided not to respond to his letter. Even though he didn't get a response, a few days later he showed up ready to take her on a date. Margie told the story that they were sitting down at the supper table when there was a knock at the door. She was so confused why Argie would have shown up since she didn't respond to his letter. A little put off by the interruption, her mother informed her that because she didn't respond, she had to go, or it would be rude. A few months later, on December 5,1947, they were married in Dublin, Texas. She was always adamant to say she was 16 and a half when she married-not just 16. Argie Lee and Margie Marie-it was just meant to be! They were blessed with two children: Michael and Lisa.

Margie was a woman of many facets. She was a wonderful cook, an avid reader, seamstress, and fashionista. When living in Denver City, Margie worked many years at Collins Department Store. This enabled Margie to use her love of fashion when going to market in Dallas. She loved being able to see the new fashion coming out and dressing up her girls, whether it was Lisa in high school getting to see what was new in the shop or buying her granddaughters frilly ruffled dresses with bells in the skirts. Once they retired and moved back to De Leon, Argie found her to be useful in riding the sprigger and being a gate girl. For the most part, she spent her days reading the Word, her books, cooking meals for the church, praying for those on her prayer list, and visiting family.

The legacy she leaves behind is her love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and her love for her family. Margie always attended church wherever they lived and instilled a love of God to their children and grandchildren. Margie truly had a servant's heart. She taught GA's, was Director of Baptist Women, taught Sunday School, helped with VBS, served on the bereavement committee and numerous other committees with churches throughout her lifetime. She was active for many years as part of First Baptist Church De Leon. There was nothing she wouldn't do for her children or grandchildren, or any family member or neighbor in need. She and Argie have provided a roof over many heads. She was the epitome of a Proverbs 31 Woman. The kind that when her feet hit the floor in the morning the devil said, "Oh no, she's up!".

She is survived by two children and their spouses: Michael and Olinda Hale of Temple and Lisa and Royce Corbell of Midland, six grandchildren and their spouses: Randy and Melinda Hale of Sag Harbor, WA, Amy Hale of Taylor, Ryan and Andrea Hale of Goliad, Emily and Matt Denton of Temple, Haley and Brandon Maness of Aiken, SC, and Kyle Corbell of Midland, sister-in-law Ethylene Skaggs of Early, and brother-in-law Ennis Joiner of Gorman. Thirteen great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services celebrating Margie's life were held Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at De Leon First Baptist Church with Brother Michael Hale officiating. Serving as pallbearers were Randy Skaggs, Royce Corbell, Ryan Hale, Kyle Corbell, Matthew Denton, and Cohen O'Dell. Honorary pallbearers were Beckett Hale and Oliver Corbell. Interment followed in De Leon Cemetery.