Rena Fitzgearld Hale, 79, passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
She was born on November 1, 1946, in Cumby, Texas. Rena retired from East Texas A&M University in Commerce, Texas, after many years of dedicated service.
Rena is survived by her daughter, Kelli Hale; stepdaughter, Amy Collins; and daughter-in-law, Mistie Hale Colfax; three grandsons, Stetson Speights, Mason Matlock, and Taylor Hale; and her great-grandson, Lawson. She is also survived by her sisters, Latrel McCallum and husband Mike McCallum, and Deniece Bitner and husband Gary Bitner; her brother, Monty Fitzgearld and wife Brenda Fitzgearld; her lifelong friend and the father of her children, Keith Hale; her sister-in-law, Judy Vetkoetter, and brother-in-law, Robert Vetkoetter; four nephews, one niece, and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her son, Bryan Hale, and her parents, Lula Faye Wood and William Kenneth Fitzgearld.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Brashear Baptist Church, 134 FM 2653, Brashear, Texas 75420. Flowers may be sent to the church. A private burial service for family will be held at a later date.
