Judy Karena Smith Hall

Mrs. Judy Hall of Dallas, TX and Delray Beach, FL passed away on October 31, 2011 due to complications related to Pancreatic Cancer. She was 65 years old. She is survived by her husband Kelly (69) and sons Clayton (34) of Knoxville, TN and Jason (30) of Dallas, TX. Mrs. Hall who was an only child was born behind the Iron Curtain in East Germany in November of 1945 and escaped Soviet oppression with her mother at a young age shortly after World War II. She immigrated to the United States and grew up in Buffalo, NY. The fact that her adopted hometown was where the Buffalo Style Chicken Wing was created would be a factor in a later life career with the Hooters Restaurant Chain. Following high school in Buffalo, Mrs. Hall attended Kentucky Wesleyan College and later received a Master's in Education from Indiana University. She taught physical education for 13 years and her love of helping young people was a theme throughout her life. While teaching, she met, fell in love with, and married a fellow teacher Kelly Hall of Louisville, KY in 1976. The couple made Louisville, KY their home until moving to Texas in 1999. Throughout their 35 years of marriage, this athletic and physically fit couple remained completely devoted and their respect and love for each other never wavered. Their friends and family were aware and often commented on their enviable sense of romance. Mrs. Hall was a beautiful, adventurous blonde and along with her husband played competitive tennis, remained in excellent physical condition and looked much younger than her years throughout her life. She had a tremendous sense of humor and loved to laugh. She and Mr. Hall traveled extensively in her later years and a highlight was their 2006 trip to Germany to visit the site of her birth. The partnership between the couple extended into business as well and in 1989 they started a franchisee operation called Texas Wings, Inc. with rights for the state of Texas for the fledgling restaurant chain Hooters. The business quickly became the largest and most successful franchise for the chain known for great wings and beautiful Hooters Girls. Through the years, three Texas Hooters Girls have won the title of Miss Hooters International the most from any state and, a former Hooters Girl, Paula Cobb of Houston actually was the first to win the title in 1998. Mrs. Hall was particularly proud of this success. Mrs. Hall remained involved in all aspects of the business which currently operates 41 Hooters throughout Texas and became like a second mother to many of the business employees. The business merged with the parent company Hooters of America, LLC in January of 2011 and Kelly and son Jason remain involved in the business. Mrs. Hall was the mother of two sons, Clayton and Jason, and her nurturing and protective ways were the source of great pride for the family. Her life revolved around her "Boys" as she referred to her husband and sons and the extended family of her Hooters business. She was known for her motherly instincts and great affection for all those she came in contact with. Her family was her priority and the source of her joy. Mrs. Hall was known for her feisty nature and strong will. While battling pancreatic cancer, she survived nearly 2 years, well beyond the 6 months originally predicted by her physicians. She participated in a clinical trial study for a course of treatment for the disease at the University of Michigan and it is felt that knowledge gained from her treatment will help future sufferers of this dreaded disease. Raised in the Lutheran Church, Mrs. Hall was known as a strong advocate for a number of causes and community groups including The American Heart Association, The V Foundation for Cancer Research and The Genesis Woman's Shelter. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to HOO.C.E.F. (The Hooters Community Endowment Fund, 1815 The Exchange, Atlanta, GA 30339, Federal Tax ID number 501c3, 58-2006561). Hooters will match donations made to fund a research grant for Pancreatic Cancer in Mrs. Hall's honor through the V Foundation for Cancer Research. A memorial service for Mrs. Hall will take place at 12:00 Noon on Thursday November 3, at the Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home located at 7405 Northwest Highway, Dallas TX 75225, 214-363-5401.