Michelle LaPorte Hailey
November 12, 1947 ~ May 7, 2021
Marietta Southern Cremations & Funerals
Michelle LaPorte Hailey was born into a loving home on November Twelfth 1947 in Detroit. Her parents, Richard and Patricia LaPorte formerly of Smyrna Georgia, preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughter Courtney Ann, also of Smyrna.
Michelle spent her formative years in Abilene, Texas where she was constantly surrounded by friends and extended family. Under the watchful eye of her mother, Michelle learned how to not only to be social and welcoming but get along with many different personalities. It was here she developed her talent for entertaining and cooking.
She learned sign language in order to communicate with her Grandparents who were deaf.
Michelle attended Cooper High School and Trinity University, transferring back to Hardin Simmons University to complete her degrees in Art and Education.
Her early career began as an elementary teacher at St. John’s Episcopal School in Abilene where she applied her technical education and developed her skills as a first-rate educator.
After several years, Michelle decided to move in to the Boys and Girls Club of Abilene. It was there she flourished. She discovered her gift for fund raising and grant writing. It gave her great satisfaction to see her efforts materialize into programs and projects for the children of Abilene. She truly cared about the children who benefited from her efforts.
It was not long before Michelle’s talents were recognized, and she was recruited into the corporate ranks of the Boys & Girls Club of America, a relentless fundraiser and project developer travelling all over the US and Puerto Rico.
The final chapter of her career was with the National Council of the Girl Scouts of America. She travelled the US promoting the standards and principles of the Girl Scouts, raising funds, and implementing programs including the NASA Girls in Space Educational Program.
Michelle was not all about work. She enjoyed spending time with her daughter and gradually took on the responsibilities of her aging parents. She was a master chef, loved and nurtured her fur babies, and also loved to travel, camp, and fish. She was a naturalist. Believed in the power of Mother Nature. Knowing the future of our youth depends on us. Michelle was a talented artist and decorator, bargain shopping and refurbishing antiques. She made three trips to the Antiques Roadshow and had a wonderful time meeting and talking to people from all over the US. Very rarely did Michelle meet a stranger. What a great life she lived and legacy she left behind, having touched so many people's lives. May her legacy live on through those that knew and adored her!
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The National Parks Foundation www.NATIONALPARKS.org
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With love and deepest sympathy, The Powell Family. Katie, Kyle, and Nicholas,
Your mom lives on in you Courtney. You are so much like her.
The memorable summer nights of the 70’s included bar b que to well matched music and endless talks/laughter. The 80’s were scattered w’wild and crazy music of Donna Summer and Prince. One evening you called and had decided to have select friends over during your 20th Cooper High School Reunion. First, you wanted to paint “a room”. Ha! I still don’t believe we painted the entire inside. Then, you cooked, served and entertained 20 people without sleep for 36 hours! (I collapsed. LOL!)
BEST MEMORY: Maine, and everything that goes with it! We made personal lists of certain things we expected to see and photograph. Little did we realize that the luxury of impromptu discoveries would highlight anything we thought we had to experience. Like, the morning we thought we were driving to breakfast and ended up on a ferry to an island where the Chaplin for the University of Maine lived. She introduced herself as we stood on the upper deck. She had the good manners of a Texan and we followed her and her dog home to see her personally created 4-story chapel complete w’ stained glass windows remembered, found, donated from the basement of her home church. The stories she told included her family, friends, 50 yrs of her vocation in computers, then an invitation to become a University Chaplin, and building a purposeful, simple place of worship for foreign students stranded in Maine on holidays. I’ve often wished we had stayed in touch with her and returned to see her monument completed next door to her home. What fabulous memories! What FUN we shared! FRIENDS FOREVER.
Michelle was a real fighter and advocate for others, especially the underdog. She would speak up and step forward to handle situations that others would hesitate to confront. She did what was right and just (especially in her eyes). LOL
Michelle was a generous, upbeat and social person. She would pick stuff up for me that she knew I would like as a surprise. She was genuinely interested in what I was doing and what was going on in my life. She always had encouragement or a suggestion that helped.
One year, Courtney and I had to work the holiday. Michelle delivered a full course meal so we didn’t miss out on the holiday, even though we were working.
Michelle’s earliest years were in Detroit as was mine. Even though we are a generation apart in age we still were able to share similar memories of Detroit. Especially of the junk food, Faygo pops that her mother would use to make floats for her with Better Made chips.
She was a straight shooter, in more than one way. She let you know what she thought, leaving little doubt of how she felt.
Michelle was always so put together with beautiful clothes and accessories. One time, I saw her she had close cut sides with spiky hair on tip. What a contrast she presented with a punk hair style. I felt it represented her so well as she was classy and social with a bite.
Michelle loved the hunt of thrift shopping, where you could get a great deal with an unexpected find. What someone considered junk, others considered a treasure. I was always amazed when Courtney would tell me of her mother’s finds.
I feel that the purpose of this life is to use your talents and gifts to better those around you. Michelle achieved that in spades. The best part of her is still here in her daughter, Courtney and everyone that was fortunate enough to know her
The best commemoration to Michelle is to try a new recipe or dish, see a show or explore a new place, try a new wine or go treasure hunting at a thrift store or stand up to an injustice that you see. That is what I plan to do.
I only met your mom once, but her kind and friendly spirit came through loud and clear. I thank Michelle Hailey for giving us a gem Courtney Hailey!!!
Michelle was a wonderful person and influential in my life! I enjoyed every moment, especially working with her at Boys and Girls clubs. She poured inspiration and encouragement in my life. She was very generous and loved to laugh and have fun! I have never forgotten her and never will. Thank you Michelle for making a difference in my life!