Virginia LOUISE HALE James age 89 passed away June 3, 2017 at her home in Madill, Oklahoma after a long illness.  Louise was born January 11, 1928 in Mountain View, Oklahoma to the late Floyd Edward Smith and Vera Viola (Wellman) Smith.  Louise was raised in the Kingston area along with one sister and three brothers.  In 1943 Louise met and married Kenneth Hale in Madill, Ok. who preceded her in death in 1979 after 35 years of marriage.  Kenneth worked for Frix and Brisch Construction Company building highway all over Oklahoma.  In 1958 the family moved back to Madill where Louise lived the remainder of her life.  In 1959 Louise went to work at the Madill Manufacturing Company making men's slacks and shorts holding the positions of Trainer, Pinch-Hitter, Repairs and as a Supervisor, retiring after 32 years in 1992.

Louise met and married Bill James in 1981 and he preceded her in death after 10 years of marriage in 1991.

Louise was a faithful member of the Church of Christ, where she enjoyed participating in Vacation Bible School, Ladies Bible Class and singing with the Church of Christ Choir at numerous funerals.

She was an active member of the Horizon Club and an avid traveler visiting many exotic places and numerous countries, with collection of 54 photo albums to prove she had a good time.  If Vicki Quimby called or sent a flyer saying the Horizon Club bus was going anywhere, Louise packed her bags and was ready to see all the exciting places she had read about as a girl.  She was so excited about her travels, she shared her love of travel by taking each graduating grandchild on a trip with her for their graduation present.

She loved to read romance novels and watch old TCM movies, the Hallmark channel and every western shown on channel 342. She has a large collection of books and movies, her favorite movie star is of course, John Wayne, with many photos of him decorating her bedroom wall.

But her real passion was making quilts.  Her quilt collection was not limited to simple quilts but to elaborately embroidered or hand appliquéd quilts. Her log cabin patterns were exceptional.  The harder the pattern, the better.  Her last quilt show held at the Church of Christ fellowship hall displayed some 58 quilts, all of them hand quilted and most of her quilts received either a "Blue Ribbon" or "Grand Champion Ribbon" from Marshall County Fair.

Louise was a long-time member of the Madill Round-Up Club and a past secretary of the Round-Up Club, where she was known for her excellence in sewing.  She made not only matching vest but matching saddle blankets for her fellow club members.

Louise was a wonderful cook. She loved preparing mouthwatering meals for her large family and friends. She was famous for her pecan pie and her hand cranked strawberry ice cream. Her favorite ingredients were salt, pepper and butter.  Her cooking was so famous all her kids and grandkids have a "Grandma Lou Favorite Recipe Cookbook".

She is survived by her 6 children:  Maurine Rigsby and husband Larry of Madill; Marilyn Stowers and husband Gary of Madill; Kenneth (Bud) Hale and wife Terri of Madill; Dr. Gerald Hale and wife Janie of Tulsa; Monte Hale and wife Jan of Bartlesville; Leslie Hale and wife Nancy of Lone Grove.  16 Grand Children, 28 Great Grandchildren and 6 Great-Great Grandchildren.  Sister, Violet Lea Mansfield, Brothers: Floyd Edward (Sonny) Smith and wife Norma, Leroy Smith and wife, Mary; Charles Smith and wife Mary. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins scattered all over the State of Oklahoma.

Preceded her in death; husbands Kenneth Hale and Bill James, parents Floyd and Vera Smith, In-laws C.I. (Ike) and Susie Hale, In laws C.D. Hale and wife Martha Hale Cunningham, In laws Gene and Lola Mae Hale, In law Voyd Emory, nephews Allen Hale and Gregory Hale, Niece, Linda Emory, Nephew, David Emory.