Louise Benning Hall

Early Memorial Day Morning, May 29th, Louise Benning Hall, 94, was called Home by the Lord. Shedding the constraints of her weakened earthly body she stepped into the arms of her Savior Jesus in Glory. Louise was the youngest child of Theodore Russell and Gertrude Landon Benning, both of whom no doubt were waiting in Heaven to greet her along with her husband of 44 and ½ years Thomas Audd Hall; her brothers T. R. Benning, Jr, and Francis Harrison Benning; and her sisters Gertrude Dacres and Bertha Buffington.

A 2nd generation Atlanta native, born December 1, 1928, she attended R.L. Hope Elementary School, graduated from North Fulton High School, and studied at Georgia State University where she was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority. When asked her career goal, she adamantly stated, “Wife and Mother” as that was her greatest desire. She and husband Tom met on a blind date on New Year’s Eve and that night Tom told her, “I’m Going to Marry You!” That pronouncement came to fruition and in the following years God blessed them with 3 daughters; Louise, Kem and Tommie. While raising them always came first, she also served on the Panhellenic Council, was a Brownie leader, Room Mother many times over, heavily involved in church choir, and helped Tom run the business, Tom Hall & Associates, they founded together in 1961. In addition, she was at every event her daughters participated in, was well known to all of their classmates and friends, and in several productions at Pace Academy. She was an avid Tap Dancer dancing with her daughters in many recitals and later in life with Showstoppers, a member of the Atlanta Athletic Club for 53 years and a Braves Season ticket holder. Upon Tom’s home going, she ran their business until in her mid-80’s while also doting on the Grandchildren with which God blessed her.

Her greatest legacy after that of “Wife and Mother” was her gorgeous God gifted voice which she used to glorify Him. She sang for His honor all her life beginning in childhood as a member of the Church of the Children Choir which was broadcast from Coast to Coast. She always served in the church choir, was a featured soloist, a member of the Georgia Festival Chorus for over 20 years, in the Atlanta Passion Play for many years and was given the honor of singing a Solo for the Billy Graham Crusade at the Georgia Dome in October of 1994. She was equally thrilled for the opportunity to sing before a large crowd or just for the Lord in praise. Toward the end of her life she would sing Amazing Grace, In the Garden, How Great Thou Art, and many other hymns at the request of family and friends and her voice remained pitch perfect, steady, and clear. She always said “Yes” when asked to sing for the Lord because she knew her voice had come from Him and was meant for His praise and the encouragement of others. Her life verse was “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

She’s survived by: her daughters Louise Jones (Tom), Kemlo Morgan (Jim), Tommie Storer (Scott); grandchildren Tom Jones, III (Courtney), Louise Jones (Brian), JJ Jones (Michelle), Landon Morgan, Jimmy Morgan (Joyce), Patrick Morgan, John Daniel Storer (Taylor) and Mary Storer; great grandchildren Isabel Jones, Brandon Jones, Sebastian Morgan, and Mary Ellen Storer; sister Margaret Woehst; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of her life will be held June 7th at 2 o’clock at H.M. Patterson & Son, Oglethorpe Hill Chapel, 4550 Peachtree Road NE Atlanta, GA 30319. The family will receive friends beforehand from 1-2 o’clock.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Jewish Voice at jewishvoice.org, a charity near and dear to her heart.