Ilene Wolfe

Ilene Hale Wolfe, age 96, of Council, Virginia passed away Monday (December 1, 2025) at her home. Born November 15, 1929 in Council, Virginia, she was a daughter of the late James Ira and Electa Arla Jackson Hale. A dedicated follower of Christ, she was baptized in her teen years and was a member of Hurricane Baptist Church. She was a 1947 graduate of Council High School. She was a schoolteacher in the Buchanan County school system for forty-three years. Her career began in the old one-room and three-room community schoolhouses, prior to moving into the elementary school at Council. She taught in the classroom for years before being asked to take over the position of music teacher; a position she relished because it allowed her to pass on her knowledge and love for music. She also privately trained many students on the piano. After her time as a public-school music teacher, she was asked to take the role of Librarian; a position she held until her retirement from the school system at the age of 72. She worked a full-time job while going to college at night; often traveling a good distance in sometimes treacherous conditions until she received a Bachelor's Degree from Pikeville College and a Master's Degree from Virginia Tech.

Ilene was always willing to lend a hand to others. She would assist and transport the local midwife when the need arose and she volunteered at the local hospital during the flood of 1977. She danced at the Inauguration of President Jimmy Carter as a member of the New Garden Twirlers Square Dance Club in 1977.

She produced and directed the play "The Womanless Wedding" on two different occasions. The money that was raised in the productions was donated to members of the community that were in need.

Ilene was a pillar of the community that she loved so dearly. She was a member of Council Senior Citizens Center and loved the fellowship she shared.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, William Edward Compton and her second husband, Charles Franklin Wolfe; two sons, Glenn Edward Compton and Darrell Compton; brothers, Carl Hale, Curtis Hale, Logan Hale, Lowell Hale and Harold Hale; and sisters, Geneva Mullins and Virginia Hale.

Survivors include her son, Paul William Compton and wife, Arlene of Council, Virginia; grandchildren, Edward Lewis Compton and Charles Bryan Compton both of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Preston Wayne Compton of Kingsport, Tennessee and Ann Marie Compton of Council, Virginia; great-grandchildren, Glenn Jace Compton, Zachary Jaren Mitchell and Charles Jameson Mitchell of Council, Virginia; step-sons, Steve Wolfe and Craig Wolfe; step-daughters, Laurel Lynn Harmon, Kris Reppert, and Lisa Myerson; brother-in-law, Kent Wolfe; sisters-in-law, Irene Compton and Dororthy Hale. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins and many cherished friends.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the staff of Ultra Health for their caring service. Also thanks to Pam Compton, Debbie Robinette, Elaine Austin Tiller, the Cook sisters, and the members of the Council Senior Citizens Club.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 AM Saturday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Carl Burmeier officiating. Interment will follow in the Hale Cemetery at Council, Virginia.

Pallbearers will be Jared Godbey, Jace Compton, Billy Earl Presley, Nathan Deel, Matt Murphy, and Cody Owens.

Honorary pallbearers will be Phillip Mullins, Jonathan Mullins, Edward Lewis Compton, Zachary Jaren Mitchell, Charles Jameson Mitchell, John David Hale, Lloyd Malcolm Hale, and Gary Hale.

The family will receive friends at Honaker Funeral Home after 6 PM Friday.