Marietta Kay Bankston Hale

Marion-Marietta Kay Bankston Hale, 58, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed from this life into the loving arms of God on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at 12:15pm at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Marietta was born in Marion on March 3, 1959 to Bobby Jo and Josephine (Ward) Bankston. She was of Christian faith.  She attended Marion schools and was a member of the Marion High School Class of 1977.  In 1994, she married Jerry D. Hale and he preceded her in death in October of 2005.  In addition to her husband, Marietta was also preceded into eternal life by her parents and her paternal and maternal grandparents, as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins. Left behind to cherish Marietta’s memory are her daughter, Josie Marie Earl Favors and husband Nick of Creal Springs; step daughter Cynthia Poe and husband Samson of Johnston City and step son Jack Hale who is currently stationed in Virginia in the U.S. Navy. Marietta is also survived by her grandchildren Brittany Earl of Herrin, Austin and Dakota Ford of Eldorado and step grandchildren Jacob and Kaylob Poe of Johnston City, Janice, Jamala and Brantley Hale of Virginia as well as four great-grandchildren, all of Southern Illinois.  Also surviving to keep Marietta’s legacy alive are her sister, Lavonia Jo (Bankston) Hale and husband Tom of Marion, niece Jerlyn Hale of Marion, nephew Jeffrey Hale of Marion, aunt Rita Miller of Marion and her sister in law and special friend Gloria Hale of Marion as well as a wealth of cousins and lifelong and loving friends who will remember her forever. While all of us have different memories of Marietta, one memory shared by all who were privileged to know her is the memory of her generous and loving heart, and the sheer joy she took in the company of her family and friends. She was much loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. As per her wishes, Marietta will be cremated. Blue Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 1pm at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Wade Halva.  Inurnment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Saturday from 12pm-1pm at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are currently being accepted by the family to help defray inurnment expenses or Hospice at Barnes Jewish Hospital and will be accepted at Blue Funeral Home/1704 N. Court Street/Marion, IL 62959.