Nena Hale Hash departed this life August 1, 2013, surrounded by her loving husband Kelly, her sisters, and nieces. She was born February 20, 1920, the daughter of the late William Lee and Florence Patton Hale of Galax. In 1942 she married Kelly G. Hash, and to this union were born two daughters, Diana Kay and Sharon Kelly.

Nena was preceded in death by her infant daughters, her sisters, Katy Hale Laffoon and Peggy Sue Hale and her brothers Robert McCawley Hale and Randolph Hudson Hale. She is survived by her husband, Kelly Hash, sisters, Helen H. Compton of Galax, Aileene H. Hale of Galax, and Jama Lois H. Layne of Radford; nieces Sherry C. Leonard and Shannon C. Reynolds of Lynchburg, VA., Kay Laffoon of Mooresville, NC., Kimberly H. Chiapetto of Floyd, VA., and Elizabeth H. Christy of Greensboro, NC.; nephews, Michael Compton of Palmer, Alaska, Miles Compton of Galax, Mark Layne of Christiansburg, VA., and Jason Hale of Parksley, VA; eight great-nieces and nephews and one great, great niece.

At the age of 16, Nena graduated as valedictorian at Galax High School and entered Kentucky Christian University, Grayson, Kentucky the same year, where she completed three years Bible Studies and fine arts. She then transferred to Transylvania University in Lexington, KY, where she received the Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in English and history and minors in psychology and German. She received the master's degree in education from the University of Virginia. She completed more than 30 graduate hours beyond the master's degree from the University of Louisville and the University of Virginia.

During her 42-year career, Nena taught students from first grade through college level. She began her teaching career returning to her Grayson County home and teaching at Pisgah, a one-room school housing about 50 students in grades first through seventh. She was 20 years old, and some of her students were almost as old as she and certainly some of the boys were bigger and taller. She walked or rode her bicycle to school and was responsible for building the fires and cleaning the school. Her next assignment was Bridle Creek School where they had grades first through ninth. Students then went to high school at Independence. She taught at Bridle Creek for three years and then in Independence until 1953. At that time she came to Galax, where she taught English, United States History, and speech and served as a teacher-counselor. For approximately 15 years, she was a full-time guidance counselor at Galax High School.

Nena taught classes in public speaking and English for Wytheville Community College and taught graduate courses in guidance for the University of Virginia. She was also a licensed professional counselor in the Commonwealth of Virginia. At UVA she became a member of Kappa Delta Pi, national honor society in education, and was a member of Alpha Kappa Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, an International honor society for outstanding women educators.

Nena served three terms as president of the Grayson County Education Association and one term as president of the Galax Education Association. She was a member of numerous committees of the Virginia Education Association and was chairman of the Guidance Committee of the Virginia Education Association in 1964.


Nena was a member of the New River Valley Personnel and Guidance Association, the Virginia Counselor's Association, the American School Counselor's Association, the American Personnel and Guidance Association, and the National Vocational Guidance Association. She was a member of the Virginia Education Association and a life member of the National Education Association. To broaden her qualifications for Industrial Counseling she completed a course at the Belle-Knap Campus at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky.

In 1964, The Freedom's Foundation at Valley Forge awarded Nena the Valley Forge Classroom Teacher's Medal in recognition of outstanding work in teaching responsible citizenship and understanding of the American way of life. Several years ago she was selected to be listed among the Outstanding Personalities of the South.

Upon her retiring from teaching, Nena stated: "I had the good fortune to choose a career which has enabled me to do what I enjoy, to work with young people who never cease to amaze and delight me, and to share each day with co-workers whom I love and respect. Life has been very good to me, and I am grateful."

In addition to her busy life in education, Nena was a Past Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of Virginia order of the Eastern Star and for three years was chairman of the Education Committee of the General Grand Chapter. In 1994 she received a three-year appointment to serve as Worthy Grand Ruth of the General Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star which entailed visitation to international chapters throughout the world, including continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii, Aleutian Islands, Aruba, Mexico, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Scotland and England. She especially enjoyed her Canadian visits to Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

As a member of the First Christian Church, Galax, Nena was a shining example in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She was chairman of the Outreach Committee of the church, and was active in the Christian Women's Fellowship. She served as a member of the Pastor's Cabinet and of the Official Church Board. Her support of the church and her quiet leadership and wisdom have opened many hearts as she shared her belief of Jesus and her faith. Many heard the Good News of Christ directly from her teaching the Comrades Class for some 50 years and her tireless and devoted work in Christian Women's Fellowship. On October 4, 2009 her church especially honored her as a token of the love, work, fellowship and encouragement she had given to her church and in recognition of the many gifts God had given her to carry out her ministry of love and service.


A former minister of her church wrote of Nena: "When the call comes for evangelism, you are there. When the call comes for leadership, you are there. When the call comes for membership, you are there. When the call comes for stewardship, you are there. What more can the Lord ask of his servants than the willingness to go wherever the Lord call us? We know that wherever the Lord calls you to be, you are there and the Lord walks beside you."


As we weep at the passing of our dear sister, wife, aunt, colleague, and friend, we also rejoice in the matchless promises of God. We will again one day see Nena on the other side of life. That is the joy of living in God's kingdom – This is the victory that overcomes the world.

The funeral service will be held Sunday, August 4, 2013 at 2:00 PM in the First Christian Church where the body will lie-in-state one hour prior the funeral service. Minister Craig Embry and the Rev. Randy Morris will officiate. Burial will follow in the Fox Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home.