Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

April 29, 2022

Virginia Gayle Greene Hackney, 73, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2022 at Aldersgate Retirement Community in Charlotte surrounded by her family. She died following a three-year battle with cancer.

Gayle is survived by her husband William R. Hackney III, sons David Z. and John T. Hackney and her sister Suzanne Greene Baillie (George). She is also survived by her brother-in-law Timothy W. Hackney (Joan), sister-in-law Susan Hackney Owens (Oren Bennett), and life-long friend Leigh Boice.

Gayle was born in Charlotte on August 16, 1948. She was predeceased by her parents John and Gladys Greene who owned and operated Fashion Florist, along with Gayle’s sister, Suzanne, for 42 years. 

A 1966 graduate of East Mecklenburg High School, Gayle graduated from Peace College in Raleigh NC in 1968. She served on the Peace College Board of Visitors and the Alumnae Council.

Many people will most remember Gayle for her industriousness, her selfless devotion to family and community and the enduring friendships she developed over the years.

Rarely did Gayle not have a job that contributed to her family or the local community. Upon graduation from college, she was employed by the Pillsbury Company until she married Bill in 1970, who was commissioned a Marine Corps officer right out of college. During Bill’s four years of active duty, Gayle “deployed” to three different cities, working as a front desk receptionist for a national hotel chain, a legal secretary and a bookkeeper for a construction company. When active military service ended, the couple returned to Charlotte where Gayle was hired by a local law firm.  Over the years, Gayle’s employers came to value her high efficiency, accuracy, courteous manners and positive mental attitude.

After her children were born, Gayle gave up full time employment and used her considerable talents to raise her family and support volunteer work in the Charlotte community.  From the late 1970s to the early 1990s, she was an active member of The Children’s Theater of Charlotte, The Symphony Women’s Association and The Charlotte Junior Woman’s Club. She particularly enjoyed her work with the Junior Women’s Club and it’s “Serenade to Autumn” an elaborate musical fashion show at Ovens Auditorium which raised funds to support charitable work. She was president of Junior’s 1983-84. After aging out of Juniors in the 1980s, the women formed Queen City Woman’s Club which still meets on a regular basis. Enduring friendships like this have provided Gayle comfort and encouragement as her health declined. Later in life, Gayle enjoyed international travel with family and friends, as well as trips to her beach condo on Hilton Head Island. 

A service to celebrate Gayle’s life will be held at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 in the Chapel at Aldersgate Retirement Community, 3800 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215.  A reception will follow. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a memorial contribution to Hospice and Palliative Care of Charlotte Region, PO Box 470408, Charlotte, NC 28247. This group provided outstanding care for Gayle during the final two months of her life. Or, consider a memorial contribution to  Aldersgate Retirement Community, 3800 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215.  Please put The Horizon Fund on the memo line of your check. Gayle lived happily at Aldersgate for over eight years and the family is deeply appreciative of the exceptional service and personal attention they provided Gayle.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC; 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.