Mr. Hoyte Eugene Hale, age 62, of Smithville passed away suddenly on Sunday, September 29, 2024 at St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital.

Mr. Hale was born on June 29, 1962 in Smithville to his parents, Ray and Margaret Melton Hale. Preceding him in death is his Father, Ray Harvey Hale, Maternal Grandparents, Clarence Otis and Reba Irene Melton, Paternal Grandparents, Jeffy Davis and Aubrey Mai Hale. Several aunts and uncles also precede him in death. Mr. Hale attended the Long Branch Community Church.

Mr. Hale, an EMT-Paramedic, served as interim EMS director for two and a half years before becoming the director in 2015. Prior to being named interim, Mr. Hale was the assistant EMS director for seven years. In addition to his EMS duties, Mr. Hale was also a veteran volunteer firefighter for the Smithville Fire Department having served there for almost 40 years and at the time of his death was Deputy Chief. Mr. Hale was an eight-time winner of the department’s “Robert Eller Highest Attendance Award” given in response to the most incidents of anyone during the year.

Hoyte was more than just a boss to his employees and fellow fire fighters; he cared for each one and wanted to be known as a friend all the way through to the end of his watch.   

Survivors include three sons, Zackary (Destin) Hale of Purvis, MS, Devin Caldwell Hale of Murfreesboro and Quentin (Myrie) Hale of Smithville; two grandchildren, Roman and  Bonnie Hale of Purvis, MS;  mother, Margaret Melton Hale of Temperance Hall;  sister, Rosea Young of Smithville;  niece, Tia (Brandon) Puckett of Smithville; great nephews, Jackson and Maverick Puckett of Smithville;  mother of his children, Lesa Hale of Smithville. 

Funeral service was held on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at the Smithville First Baptist Church LEC. Bro. Steve Waller and Dr. Derrick Edwards officiated. Burial followed at DeKalb Memorial Gardens with full Firefighters Honors.

Pallbearers were Charlie Parker, Jeff Wright, John Poss, Dalton Roberts, Ryan Evans, Kevin Cripps, Trent Phipps & Houston Austin. Honorary Pallbearers were Smithville Fire Dept, DeKalb EMS and numerous Emergency Service Personnel from the all over the Upper Cumberland area. 

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, Smithville, was in charge of the arrangements.