Margaret Stepp Hale of Priceville, AL, formerly of Tullahoma, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at her home on April 7, 2025 after a brief illness. Margaret was born on July 22, 1942 in Dalton, Georgia to Marianne Wrench Stepp and Howry “Hap” Stepp. Her memorial service will be held at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Tullahoma on May 17 at 1 p.m.

Margaret’s professional life was one of continuous service to her community, especially those on the fringes of society. She worked as a social worker and math teacher at West Middle School in Tullahoma before going back to school to train as a nurse. She first worked in a cardiac stepdown unit in Nashville, then at Harton Hospital in Tullahoma. While simultaneously working and raising children, she earned her Masters in Nursing from Vanderbilt University in 1973. She became Director of Nursing at Harton in the 1980’s, and was the Chief Nursing Officer at Crestwood Hospital in Huntsville, AL in the 1990’s. Margaret was perhaps most proud of her time serving as the Executive Director of Partners for Healing in Tullahoma, a non-profit focused on providing healthcare to uninsured working people of limited means, including many of our immigrant neighbors. She spent her later career educating new nurses as an instructor at Motlow College.

In 1962, Margaret married Maurice Hale, and they were together for 61 years until his death. After graduating from UT Knoxville, Margaret and Maurice raised their three children in Hendersonville and Tullahoma, TN. Later, as empty nesters, they lived in Virginia, California, Huntsville, and Fayetteville, TN. During her years in Tullahoma, her church home was St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. She also attended St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church in Fayetteville. A little known fact about Margaret is that she loved to drive tractors and once even availed herself of a clandestine opportunity to drive a bulldozer.

Margaret was rocked by tragedy when she lost her granddaughter and daughter in a span of a few short years, and it was her strong spirit and deep faith that enabled her to continue on as a loving grandmother and great-grandmother, devoted spouse, and a beloved friend and mentor to the many people she touched during her life.

Margaret is survived by two of her three children: Anne Hale of Placitas, NM (Laurie Weeks), and David Hale of Kirkland, WA (Kelsey Vaughn). Her daughter, Kelly, preceded her in death. She is survived by five of her six grandchildren: Carrie Taylor of Hartselle, AL (Michael Taylor), Alex Sharpton of Hermitage, TN (Melody Sharpton), Will Sharpton of Chattanooga, Henry Hale of Seattle, WA, and Sadie Hale of Colorado Springs, CO and two great-granddaughters: Chloe and Claire Taylor of Hartselle. Her granddaughter, Megan Sharpton, preceded her in death. She is also survived by Don Cornelius, beloved family member and father figure to Kelly’s children.

Margaret treasured her three younger sisters, who survive her: Jane Sherborne of Horseshoe Bay, TX, Melissa Birdsong of Raleigh, NC, and Susan Harrell of Alpharetta, GA.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations in her memory be made to Partners for Healing in Tullahoma, or to Hospice of the Valley Foundation in Decatur, AL.

Tullahoma News – April 16, 2025