Josilyn Kay Wilson Hale

A rainbow appeared over Emmetsburg, Iowa on Sept.10, 1955, when Josilyn Kay Wilson Hale was born. Josilyn rode that rainbow all the days of her life and has now reached the other side. Josilyn passed away on Feb. 11, 2016 at the Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Ark., at the age of 60, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Josilyn leaves behind three lucky and very loved children, Matthew, Audrey, and Christina and five grandchildren; Lila, Emerson, Gray, Ethan, and Olivia. Josilyn was also adored by Matthew's wife, DeAnna, and Audrey's husband, Aaron, as well as a handful of grandkitties and grandpuppies. Josilyn resided in Rogers, Ark., with her husband Donald Hale, her marine, whom she married on Oct. 15, 1994, and two sassy lap cats. On their marriage, Josilyn gained three stepchildren; Amy, who preceded her in death, Stacey, and Becky, as well as two step-grands, Brandon and Devin. Josilyn's parents, Harry and Reta Wilson, had been strict disciplinarians, according to her older siblings, Marilyn, H. Reginald, Larry, J. Smyzer, and Paul, but that all changed when Josilyn was born. The youngest and sweetest of the Wilson children, Josilyn never needed so much as a spanking. Josilyn was a bright and happy child, though she remembers shockingly little of her childhood. She assumed that meant it was because she was just so content. In high school, Josilyn was on the honor roll, selected as Miss FBLA, and a member of the basketball team. After graduating, she worked as a stay-at-home super mom, an assistant in a chiropractor's office, a transcriptionist for a law office, and an admin at Procter & Gamble, before finally settling in as a sales analyst at Huffy Corporation in August of 2001, where she worked until her retirement. Josilyn kept Walmart supplied with Huffy bikes and was a favorite in the vendor community. Josilyn was blessed with far too many friends to name, but she treasured them all. She loved to laugh, eat delicious meals, cross-stitch, walk on the beach (okay, maybe she preferred to lie on a hammock), and play piano. Purple was her favorite color. Josilyn sang in the church choir and volunteered in the church nursery for many years. Josilyn will always be remembered as a wonderfully positive person with a sunny disposition, whose rainbow touched very many. All who knew and loved her are invited to celebrate the life of Josilyn Wilson Hale at 2 p.m. Feb. 20, 2016, at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services at 2898 West Walnut Street, Rogers, Ark. 72756. Those who wish to make a memoriam contribution in honor of Josilyn are encouraged to give to the Circle of Life Hospice, where Josilyn spent her last days, at 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Ark. 72762. Alternately, contributions may be made in Josilyn's name to a charity she has supported for many years, Mother to Mother Ministry of NWA, P.O. Box 2087, Bentonville, Ark. 72712. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers. Condolences may be shared at stockdalefuneral.com.