Sheila Hale

Mrs. Sheila Dianne Skaggs Hale, 80, of Harrisburg, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Sheila was born on December 19, 1943, in Abilene, TX, to the late Lucille Brock Skaggs Foster and Willie Dee Skaggs. She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Kay Hale, her brother, Kenneth William Skaggs, and her stepfather, Melvin John Foster.

In her youth, Sheila represented Brazoria County in the 1961 Miss Texas competition. One of her favorite memories was of riding in a convertible Corvette as Miss Brazoria County in a parade. Sheila was a proud graduate of Lamar University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting, while also being an active member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Sheila was thrilled to be among a handful of families to establish the Riverbend Church in Austin, Texas. Later, under the leadership of pastor Gerald Mann, Sheila traveled with a group from the church to tour Israel and was baptized in the River Jordan.

Sheila retired from the City of Austin after serving in various capacities, including Director of the Utility Customer Services Office and Assistant Administrator of Brackenridge Hospital. She dedicated many years of her life to service in public administration including pursuing and obtaining her Master of Public Administration degree from the UT-Austin LBJ School of Public Affairs. While Sheila’s professional life was fulfilling, her true passion was travel. Exploring the world extensively with her husband, Bob, they visited over 70 different countries. Sheila immersed herself in the local cultures, relishing the diverse experiences each destination had to offer. Sheila was especially fond of small, organized tours through Overseas Adventure Travel or sailing on yachts through Windjammer Cruises. Costa Rica, Fiji, Korea, and Russia were among her favorite travel destinations, where she embraced the sights, sounds, culinary delights, and architectural wonders.

Sheila was a voracious reader and frequently brought home grocery sacks full of books from the library and the local bookstore. Mysteries were a lifelong interest, but in later years Sheila started focusing specifically on culinary mysteries, where the plot would involve various delicacies and the associated recipes.

Sheila is survived by her son, Douglas Keane Matthews and his wife, Cecilia, and grandchildren, Benjamin, Eliana, and Sky of Harrisburg, NC; sister, Donna Kay Skaggs Gwynn and husband Sam Gwynn and nephews Jason Simon, Dustin Simon, Tyree Gwynn and their families; and niece Kirstie Nicole Skaggs and nephew Jeremy Slade Skaggs and their families.

A service will be held in Texas at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the National Kidney Foundation, 7413 Six Forks Road #255, Raleigh, NC 27615.

May Sheila's adventurous spirit and love for life be cherished in the hearts of those who knew her. May she find eternal peace.