Dr. Judith Lynne Hall

Soon after Judy’s birth, her family moved to Sherman, Texas, where Judy and her younger brother Bill grew up. After graduating from Sherman High School in 1962, Judy headed to Fayetteville, Arkansas where she attended the University of Arkansas and learned to call the Hogs with a “Woo Pig Sooie” that she loved to say for the rest of her life. Judy was a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority and majored in Journalism. She met her life-long “little sister”, Charles Mary Phillippy, while there, and spent her college years having fun, dancing the night away with friends, and going to class (most of the time).

Judy always said that the best thing about going to the University of Arkansas was meeting the love of her life, Roger Lewis Hall, while there. She loved to tell their love story to anyone who would listen and everyone who knew and loved Judy knows that she had “never seen a better looking man in her life” and considered herself blessed by God to discover that he was kind, servant-hearted, loyal, and loved the Lord as well.

Judy spent a summer in Europe during college and lived with a host family in Norway. She had so many wonderful experiences, including traveling to England and meeting her pen pal of (at that time) 9 years, Diana Raines Hardie. Judy and Diana kept up their friendship for the rest of Judy’s life. Multiple trips to the UK, countless phone calls and letters over the years allowed these friends to meet each other’s families and maintain a dear friendship for over 66 years.

Judy worked in Washington DC after graduation on the staff of Congressman Ray Roberts and loved her time there living with her lifelong friend Sally Goodson. While in Washington, she reconnected with Roger, who was stationed in Thailand with the US Air Force. They rekindled their romance and were married on August 10, 1968.

They enjoyed 55 years of marriage and raising their two children, Rebecca and Jason, together. They lived in Albuquerque, San Antonio, Ft. Worth, and Dallas and made friends wherever they went. Judy had a big smile, sparkling green eyes, arms that were always ready to hug, and a personality that lit up a room. She never met a stranger. She loved her family desperately and considered her friends like family as well.

Judy was an educator in the state of Texas for 30 years, earning both a Master’s and a PhD during her career. Judy was a master educator and loved teaching as much as she loved learning. She was passionate about gifted and talented education and taught journalism and language arts to 7th-12th graders. She touched so many young lives and loved her students so much.

Above all, Judy loved Jesus. She would always say that she was in the “B”choir in high school but that didn’t stop her from singing hymns at her beloved church, Park Cities Baptist Church at full volume. She taught her children to love the Lord and to trust in him always because ALL of his ways are good. She was a bright light that continues to shine in the presence of her Lord and Savior.

Judy is survived by her beloved husband, Roger Hall, her children, Rebecca Leonard, and Jason Hall, and their spouses who she loved so dearly, JJ Leonard and Martha Kate Hall. Her pride and joy was being “Nanny” to her grandchildren, Celia, Julia, William, and James Leonard, and Melody and Julianna Hall. She is also survived by her brother, William David “Bill” Elliott, her precious niece Joanna Elliott Whitsett, and several adored cousins and their children.

The family would like to thank Seni and Pamela Achodo, Kim Kunkle of Cardinal Senior Living Advisors, Rita, Rose, and especially Lillian, who cared for Judy as she would her own mother, right to the minute she went to Heaven.

A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at 1PM on Friday, September 22nd at Ellis Chapel at Park Cities Baptist Church, 3933 Northwest Parkway, Dallas. TX

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