Brenda Louise Hale

May 13, 1944 - April 16, 2022

Brenda Louise Hale of Louisville, 77, passed away April 16, 2022, after a brief but courageous fight against pancreatic cancer. She was a retired Registered Nurse, active and doting grandmother, avid tennis player, and a former member of P.E.O. chapters in West Virginia and Kentucky. A faithful Christian, Brenda was a member of Northeast Christian Church. Brenda is survived by her devoted husband of 56 years, H. David Hale; son, David J. Hale (Ann); daughter, Sarah H. Rueff (David); granddaughter, Caroline E. Church (Davis); upcoming great-granddaughter, Harper Louise Church; grandson, John David Hale; granddaughter, Hannah E. Rueff; and grandson, Jackson D. Rueff, all of Louisville; sister, Betty Scott (Doug) of West Virginia; brother, Michael Tiller (Karen), of Tennessee; sister-in-law Carol Hale Conley, of West Virginia; aunt, Elaine Garrett of LaGrange; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and many dear friends. She was born on May 13, 1944 in Shelbyville, Kentucky, to the late F.C. and Louise (Garrett) Tiller of Oldham and Henry counties. At the time of her birth, Brenda’s father was a U.S. Army soldier stationed in England. F.C. would not see Brenda until he returned home in 1945 at the conclusion of the war in Europe. Following his service in World War II, Brenda’s father went to work for Belknap Hardware in Louisville. Belknap transferred F.C. to southern West Virginia and the Tiller family settled in the small town of Chapmanville. Brenda graduated in 1962 from Chapmanville High School, where she was an outstanding student and member of the cheerleading team. After high school she attended the St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Huntington, West Virginia. Brenda often shared rides between Chapmanville and Huntington with a high school classmate and friend, Hershel David “Doc” Hale, who was attending Marshall University. They got to know each other during the winding drives on Route 10. They learned that they shared a common Christian faith, as well as a commitment to family. And they fell in love. They married in 1965 after Brenda graduated from nursing school. Over the next 56 years, Brenda and H. David worked together to build an incredible life for their family and to make meaningful and enduring contributions to the church, and to the communities in which they lived. Their long and successful marriage is a testament to their love and commitment, to the importance of faith and perseverance, and is a model for their children and grandchildren. After H. David graduated from Marshall in 1966, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, and ultimately Brenda and H. David were sent to Fort Campbell, Kentucky. There she practiced as a registered nurse and he as a soldier. Their son, David J., was born in the Army hospital in 1967. After H. David’s honorary discharge in 1968, the family relocated to Morgantown, West Virginia where H. David attended law school. Brenda continued working as a mother, homemaker, and nurse. After graduating, H. David took a job with a bank in Parkersburg, West Virginia. It was there that the family lived for the next 15 years, and where their daughter, Sarah, was born in 1973. All throughout their time in Parkersburg, Brenda modeled selfless devotion to her family. In 1986 the family moved to Louisville where H. David was recruited to be CEO of The Cumberland Bank. This was a homecoming for Brenda who used the opportunity to reconnect with relatives and old friends. For the next 36 years, Brenda would continue to devote herself to her family, her faith, and her profession. She returned to work for a time, with the American Red Cross. Brenda was proud to be an R.N., and her professional history inspired her grandchildren. She also worked tirelessly in various church roles, including as Sunday School teacher, and she volunteered for numerous charitable causes. Brenda was a longtime P.E.O. member. She strongly supported the P.E.O. mission of women providing academic scholarships for women. Despite her significant professional achievements and contributions, she would say that her most enduring and important work was as spouse, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. And she excelled in each of these roles, providing unconditional love, support, wisdom and guidance to H. David, her children, daughter-in-law, son-in-law and grandchildren. They all treasured her. Brenda loved tennis. She played in various groups over the years. She always preferred doubles; she said she liked playing on a team with a friend. That, and the doubles game allowed her more time at the net, where her game was particularly strong. Brenda had a wide-ranging group of friends and appreciated them all. Some were fellow church members, others were travel buddies, she played tennis or cards with some, with others she shared Broadway Series tickets, and some were members of a “lunch bunch.” She loved to read and passed this love on to her children. Brenda also loved Star Trek, preferring the original TV series to the subsequent movies. She was less successful in passing this love on to her children. Brenda liked sports and delighted her grandchildren when she watched their games and matches, though she would occasionally make known her disagreements with calls made by the officials. Well informed on political and social issues, Brenda held strong views. Yet she was never impolite or unpleasant when talking with those who might disagree. In private though, her observations and wit could be devastatingly funny. On such occasions (numerous over the past four-plus years) her comments would inevitably induce smiles among her close family, given how biting they might be and coming so incongruously from such a genuinely kind person. She loved to travel and in recent years was blessed with once-in-a-lifetime trips to England and Italy with family. In London, she visited the famous Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross. Brenda loved homegrown tomatoes, sweet tea, and could make a coconut cream pie worthy of a blue ribbon. A master of the Christmas celebration, Brenda ensured that every holiday was memorable and special. She loved to laugh and when she did everyone around her was included. She loved the annual vacations the whole family would take together, typically to Kiawah Island. Memories of those many trips will live on in the appreciative hearts of her grandchildren. Brenda fought hard against a particularly aggressive cancer, showing great fortitude. She never complained, despite the difficulties and indignities. Selfless to the end, her biggest concern was for her family and the impact her condition was having on them. Brenda was adored by H. David, her children and their spouses, and the grandchildren. Each member of her family will forever be grateful for her life of unconditional love, faith, support and service. A memorial visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Pearson’s, 149 Breckenridge Lane, Louisville. The funeral service, also at Pearson’s, will be Thursday, April 21, 2022, at 12:00 noon. A private graveside service will follow in Cave Hill Cemetery. Brenda loved flowers but requested that some consider donations in her honor to the American Red Cross, the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, or the benevolence fund at Northeast Christian Church. Arrangements under the direction of Pearson's, "Where Louisville Goes To Remember". American Red Cross Louisville Area Chapter 510 E Chestnut St Louisville KY 40201 Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research 415 Crossways Park Dr, Ste D Woodbury NY 11797 Northeast Christian Church Attn: Benevolence 9900 Brownsboro Rd Louisville KY 40241