December 14, 1940 - March 19, 2025
Rebecca (“Becky”) Josephine Bittle Hale passed away on March 19, 2025. She was born to the late James and Gertrude Bittle on December 14, 1940 in Anniston, Alabama. She graduated from Greenwood High School in Shreveport, Louisiana and was attending a business school for women when she met her future husband, Raymond (“Ray”) Hale. They married on March 28, 1959 in Marshall, Texas, at which time he was enlisted in the Air Force. While living at Bossier Base in Shreveport, Louisiana, she gave birth to their first son. While Ray was attending Northwestern University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, their second son was born. After college, they moved back to Shreveport where their third son was born.
In 1968, Becky and her family moved to Manteca, California following a job transfer opportunity for her husband Ray. In 1970, they moved to Stockton, California where she raised the boys and worked at Union Safe Deposit Bank. After raising the boys, she decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a registered nurse and entered San Joaquin Delta College’s Nursing Program in 1991. She graduated in 1993 at the age of 53 and worked as a nurse in various settings, including a private plastic surgery clinic, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Valley Gardens Healthcare Rehabilitation, and Clearwater Healthcare Center. She retired from a career she loved after 31 years as a NOC shift nurse.
Becky enjoyed spending time with family, especially with her grandchildren. Her hobbies included crocheting blankets, puzzles, playing cards, and traveling with her family. She loved Hawaii and anything tropical, sweet treats, shopping, and watching crime dramas. Most of all, she was a generous and loving person, helping those in need and donating to various organizations.
Becky is predeceased by her father and mother (James and Gertrude), her sisters (Marie Tucker and Dolores Kelley), and her husband Ray. She is survived by her sons and their spouses Randy (Girlie) of Lodi, CA, John of Stockton, CA, and Steven (Julie) of Stamford, CT; and her grandchildren and their spouses Sean (Mary), Katelyn, Kristen, Sarah (Jeffrey Gilley), and Emily. She is also survived by several extended family members in Louisiana.
Services
A joint memorial service for both Rebecca and Ray will be held at Cherokee Memorial Park on Thursday, March 27, 2025 with viewing 9:00am - 10:30am, followed by graveside services beginning at 11:00am. Services will be followed by an open-house celebration of life at 28 Grand Fir Dr, Lodi, CA 95242.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Rebecca and Ray Hale to Shriners Hospital for Children.
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Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Hale family.