Bulah Faye Hale

Bulah Hodge Hale, 87, of Ivanhoe, Texas, passed away at the home on October 10, 2025.

She was born in Bonham, Texas, on November 30, 1937, to Jasper and Debbie Gunter and was the youngest of eleven children. Bulah attended Whitewright Schools and married Howard Hodge, Jr. on December 8, 1954, in Calera, Oklahoma.

She earned both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from East Texas State University and devoted her career to teaching in the Whitewright Independent School District, where she retired in 1996. Bulah loved all of her students and took great pride in helping shape their lives.

Bulah was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Howard Hodge, Jr.; her parents; brothers Harvey, Rayburn, Fred, Jasper, and Wesley; and sisters Pauline, Maybelle, Jewel, Essie, and Hattie.

She is survived by her husband, Sam Hale, of the home; children Steve Hodge (Linda) of Emory, Jeff Hodge (Lea Ann) of Savoy, and Sharon Carroll (Shawn) of Howe; grandchildren Brody Hodge (Kristi), Brice Hodge, Brock Hodge, Taylor Hodge, Sloane Carroll, and Stratton Carroll; nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Anna Gunter and Ella Kay Beal, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Bulah cherished her family deeply and took great joy in their lives, achievements, and the special moments they shared together.

Bulah enjoyed camping, fishing, and deer hunting with her family and cherished the time they spent together in the outdoors. She also treasured her lunches with retired teacher friends, where they fondly reminisced about their years in the classroom and the many students who left a lasting impression on her heart.

A service celebrating her life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at First Baptist Church, Whitewright, with Rodney Stanford officiating. Graveside services will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Whitewright. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, Whitewright, Texas.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Brody Hodge, Brice Hodge, Brock Hodge, Taylor Hodge, and Stratton Carroll, along with dear family friend Wade Sessom. Honorary pallbearers are Bulah's nephews, whom she dearly adored. The music selection will be performed by Bulah's niece, Brenda Thornhill Bell.

The family extends a special thank-you to Cassandra Mangum for the exceptional care and compassion she provided to Mom, as well as to the staff at Three Oaks Hospice for their kindness and support.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.