Kathalene Singley

Kathalene McCrory Singley, passed away peacefully at the age of 96 on February 14, 2024.

She was born on November 17, 1927, at the home of her paternal grandparents, Mary Anna and McCrory, in Garland, Alabama (Conecuh County).

She later lived in Andalusia during the depression years where her father ran a service station. As the economy improved the family moved to Stapleton, Alabama, where her little brother, Luther Vernon, was born. They also lived in Nanafalia, Alabama and Selma, Alabama where her father worked for the Alabama State Highway Department. When Kathalene was five years old the family moved to Camden, Alabama where her father worked as a group foreman at an all-black male prison camp. She attended the elementary school there until August 1932, when her family moved to Livingston, Alabama where she entered the sixth grade at Livingston State Teachers College.

Mrs. Singley is well known around Dallas County for being a profound educator in the local school systems. Mrs. Singley started her educational career at Byrd School in 1952 to1953. She left Byrd School and went to Dallas Academy where she taught from 1953 to1955. After leaving Dallas Academy she then went to Edgewood Elementary School where she taught from 1955 to1957. She then transitioned to Gantt’s, where she taught Kindergarten from 1957 to 1958. From 1958 through 1977 she taught at Southside, Dallas County Resource Center, and the Craig Air Force Base School. From 1977 to 1985 she taught at the United Methodist Childrens Home and from there went to Valley Grande Elementary School where she was Principle until she retired in 1990. After retiring she went to Northside Baptist Church daycare from 1990 until 1991.

Mrs. Singley is known around Dallas County for being one of Elkdale Baptist Church’s first Charter members. Mrs. Singley is also a Elkdale Garden Club Charter member. She was a member of Elkdale Baptist Church for 70 years. While at Elkdale she was a GA teacher, WMU Church Director and Selma Baptist Association Director. She taught a ladies Sunday school class as well as teaching and directing Vacation Bible School.

Mrs. Singley was a part of the Community Concert Board, The Pilot Club, The American Businesswomen Charter member (founded or one of the first members), The Salvation Army Board, The Delta Kappa Gamma – Honor Society for Women Educators, and she was a Boy Scouts of America Den Mother.

Mrs. Singley is survived by her children, Van (Patricia) Singley, Terry (Brenda) Singley, Tony (Amanda) Singley and Lisa Clayton; nine grandchildren and multiple great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Lewis Singley; father, Luther McCrory; mother, Florence McCrory; brother, Luther Vernon and son in law, Ronnie Clayton.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Elkdale Baptist Church with Rev. Nicholas Gandy officiating and Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m., prior to the service. A private burial will take place, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved Lewis, at New Live Oak Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers you may consider making memorial donations to Elkdale Baptist Church.