Obituary of Steven and Nancy Hales

Steven Hales 1953-2021

Nancy Braden Hales 1954-2021

Steven Hales and his beloved wife Nancy Braden Hales passed away suddenly on January 9, 2021 in Camden, South Carolina.  They died together as they had lived since 1984 when they were married in Connecticut. 

Steven and Nancy were very kind fine people who shared a myriad of interests that guided their lives together.  Foremost among these interests was their practice of quiet philanthropy.  They supported both individuals and local charities that needed assistance in Connecticut and South Carolina.

Steven was a brilliant intellectual who grew up in Oklahoma.  He moved to Florida and met Nancy while living there.  Steven’s passions were longevity life sciences, economics, and above all Nancy.  He wanted to live forever.  And he was an ardent believer in the American capitalist economic system.  This drove his recent interest in politics.

Nancy also had many interests.  Retired from Avaya Inc., an AT&T spinoff, her career began in network and software engineering and ended as an International Account Manager supporting GE’s European market.  She achieved certifications from the Culinary Institute of America and was an excellent chef.  She was also certified by the New York Botanical Garden and the Master Gardeners program in Kershaw County.  While in college, she lived in Japan for a time and developed a lifelong interest in Japanese fine arts.

They were predeceased by their beloved parents and are survived by Steven’s Aunt Wally Walker and Uncles Lynn and Warren Wilkes of Texas as well as their many friends.

On January 15^th a Christian service was held for Nancy and Steven at the Congregational Church of New Canaan, Connecticut.  They lived there from 1984 until 2005.  This prayer was offered during the service.

God,

We are here in your house to ask you to care for Nancy and Steven as they join you.

Please guide them gently and help them be at peace with their loving parents and all others who have passed into your care before them.

Please God guide the authorities and government to see that justice is properly served.

Let us not be afraid but guide us to trust again those we love and those who love us.

Help us to be patient with one another and accept each other’s support in a kind and loving way.

Nancy and Steven exemplified a quiet humble kindness for those who needed help.  Please guide us to emulate their legacy of kind endeavors.

In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

There will be a memorial celebration of their lives on April 14, 2021 at 11 AM in the northwest quadrant of Rectory Square Park in Camden, South Carolina.  A gingko tree was planted in their honor with the support of the Camden Tree Foundation who provided the tree, the Kershaw County Master Gardeners who provided a permanent marker, and Howard Wallace, their dear friend, who planted this special tree.

Memorial donations can be made to the KCMG Scholarship Fund, c/o Barb Willens, 204 Chesnut St, Camden, SC 29020.