Dora Nell Hall

Descendants of slaves, Jim and Betty Evans, raised a family in the fertile clay like soil of Waller County in the 1800’s in Hempstead, TX. Four sons, Moses W., Herod, Robert, James Joe, and 2 daughters Marie Ophelia and Dora Ann found favor in the eyes of God.  He blessed them to make a living out of little or nothing. The oldest daughter, Marie Ophelia went to Schwartz High School and received graduation and certification in the art of sewing. She also graduated from what is now Prairie View A&M University. She was united in Holy Matrimony to Mr. Sheard Dobbins in Hempstead, TX, August 16, 1914. To this union, 9 children were born: Jerome (stillborn), Naomi Ruth, Wyoma, Winfrey Wesley, Floyd James, Eula Lee, S.D., Dora Nell, and Jessie Bell. At an early age, Dora Nell exhibited strong academic abilities and excelled in her studies. Later on in life when asked, “Of all your childhood memories, which is the fondest?” She replied, “My fondest memory as a child was of my mother who worked hard to train/encourage me on the way she thought I should grow (go). I remember how proud she was as she prepared me to participate in the Interscholastic League Spelling Contest at the State Fair in Dallas. I was probably in the 6th or 7th grade. I (our team) won the contest! Praise the LORD!” Mother Hall often spoke of her mentors, her Mom Marie Dobbins, Mrs. McDonald her elementary school teacher, Mrs. Addie Sanders Children’s Choir Director at Mt. Horeb where she confessed Christ as her Savoir, Mrs. Nellie Payne, educator and Negro Civic League leader. Perhaps it was that influence that made her pursue the field of education. Graduating at the age of sixteen from Wortham High in Wortham, TX where her uncle Professor Moses W. Evans was Principal, Mother Hall began to run her race like a conqueror on a conquest. She attended Butler College and graduated from Texas Southern University with a Masters in Education. While pursuing a career in education, Mother found love in the eyes of Texas native, Mr. James Hall, a fellow educator. On April 12,1952 they asked God to bless the marriage and took the Altar vow of “till death do us part”, and kept that vow. Theirs was one of those never ending love stories authored by God and sealed with a kiss. With God on their side they allowed family, friends, relatives, church members, co-workers, neighbors, etc. to see, view, watch and adore what the God kind of love looked like. They weathered storms as if it was a sunny day; they endured the bitter with the sweet; the good with the bad, the laughter with the tears. They welcomed two daughters into their love nest, Deborah Yvonne and Elizabeth Veronica. After a teaching a short time in the West Texas area, with the assistance of her namesake, Aunt Dora Ann and Dad Hall’s, Aunt Lee, Mother was blessed with many career options. They landed in Houston, in the Garden City Park new development and established a home and began a career with Klein Independent School District. Mom and Dad were some of the first African American educators that integrated the all Anglo culture of Klein ISD and what is now known as Spring, Texas.  They modeled and passed on a legacy of hard work, sound principles, core values, the atonement of Christ, the effectiveness of prayer, the art of volunteering, the civic duty of justice and the joy of serving to all who encountered them. Their overflow of commitment to each other, family, church, school, and community was overwhelming to all. Dad served the office of Principal at Garden City Elementary School, but would drive the bus, be the school’s custodian, teach the science class all in the same day if needed. Mother supported him and would assist in whatever needed to be done. One March morning in 1975 this Dynamic Duo lost one of its engines when Dad waved goodbye. With the assistance of Angels flew to the city called Heaven, where there is no sunset and no dawning. Despite her grief of her now Love Angel, Mother Hall pressed on with the values they cherished to continue the pursuit of Christ and excellence with an overwhelming faith that stars still shine in darkness. With eagle eye focus Mom rebooted and depended on the total sufficiency of her KING and continued to live Holy, still working hard, preferring others above herself. She had a plan.”God put a dream like steel in her soul.” She prayed into the earth realm her promised victory. After almost forty years in the arena of Education, Mother Hall retired, having given all to countless generations of students, their parents, communities, and co laborers. She won various awards, one being Teacher of the Year. While welcoming her new joy to this world, grandson Christian Emanuel, Mother led her Sunday school class at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church (Pastor D.S. Bailey and after his death Pastor E.J. Booker) and freely released the knowledge and wisdom God had given her upon all. She worked in Vacation Bible School, Teachers and Prayer Meeting, traveled to the Baptist Congress and Christian Workshops...busy for the LORD. In 1987 Mother told us she believed that she was supposed to move her church membership and found her new and final church home, Bella Vista Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Abraham gave her the right hand of fellowship and there was no turning back. Mother got involved in the Mission, VBS, played the piano for Sunday School, Wednesday Night Teachers meeting, rode the van to give communion to the sick and shut in, joined the nursing home ministry and many other Christian duties. Bella Vista became her family and operated in love.  Great friendships and sisterhoods were established. Just this past Christmas season Momma and her mission sisters all got together at Cracker Barrel for a Christmas fellowship. She talked about that event for days. Bella Vista you filled Mother up with joy, joy, joy. Mother served with enthusiasm and faithfully. Not only had Mother fallen in love with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, she had fallen in love with His people: Y O U. Bella Vista is truly the church that cares. Even in her nineties Mother was still growing and glowing. By then she had waved fare thee well to many of her circle. In DD’s words, Mom has lived through Jim Crow, barking dogs, water hoses, racism, the Great Depression, poverty, Civil Rights, World War II, segregation, private wars of her inner world: family tragedies, widowhood, cancer, single parenting, women’s lib (Sojourner Truth..Ain’t I a woman, too?), and see nothing faith days. Mother has matriculated through life’s University of Adversity with Magna Cum Laude honors and closer to the truth, THANK YOU Lordy hollers. Growing up, Mom gave us a prayer print. “Because the wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears her house down.” (Proverbs 14:1) Momma didn’t have the verbiage of a Cindy Atomic Warfare Trimm or outrageous faith declarations of Bill Winston, but she modeled prayer and it intensified over the years and I am sure that we are living in the Godly provisions made possible by her prayers. Once asked, “ Long after you are enjoying the bliss of heaven, what do you want people to say about you? She replied: I want people to say, “She was a child of the King!” “She was a servant of the most High God” by being a great witness for Him. Some would say, “She loved God’s people. She taught us by precepts as well as by example. She gave of inner treasure to her church as well as donating to others. She gave of her time to minister God’s love/word to her family, friends, those in the hospital and nursing homes or wherever she thought there was a need. Sister Hall gave of her talent-meager, it became great in God’s hands when given for His glory!!!”   Mother Hall never met a stranger. Relished life. Traveled the world. One of a kind. Philanthropist Extradinaire. Full of joy. Loved her God and His Christ. Cherished her family. Served her church. Educated her people. Blessed human kind. Expected the best. Supported the poor and just causes. Mentored women and youth. Wiped joy tears. Had a rare ability to focus on excellence and completing the assignment. Ran her race well. Tried to help somebody. Sometimes misunderstood. The earthside life hourglass was down to just a few grains of sand now. Sunday morning came and what does the woman of God do? Because it’s first Sunday she insists on putting on her mission white hat and suit and got her walker and made her way to the House of Prayer. Even though weak and fragile, she put on that God is good joysmile and greeted her brothers and sisters in Jesus name. She blew Pastor Davis a kiss. She praised Jesus with the choir. She witnessed as the Pastor presented his sermon. She joyfully put her tithes and offering in the basket. Waited on the benediction. Walked out of her Beloved Bella Vista for the last time....then somewhere between Tuesday 11ish PM and Wednesday 12:01ish AM midnight, Mother Hall walked to the borders of time, and as she used to tell everybody “look up”,  she looked up and saw that beautiful city built four square with 3 gates in the east, 3 gates in the west, 3 gates in the north, and 3 gates in the south. Some of the cherubims with the seraphims who had been angel-sitting her flight, helped her “drop the robe of flesh and rise to receive the everlasting prize”. Momma put on her long white robe, silver slippers, tried out brand new wings, and then cast her crown down at her Savior’s feet singing and shouting in her brand new body, “cares all past, home at last ever to rejoice.”  Re-united with her great cloud of witnesses. And oh what a time.