Dr. Hally Beth Walker Poindexter

1927 - 2016

Dr. Hally Beth Walker Poindexter
1927-2016
Dr. Hally Beth Walker Poindexter of Houston, Texas passed away on Tuesday, the 19th of July 2016. Hally was born in Houston on the 21st of October 1927, to Inez Hall Walker and John House Bayne Walker. She attended Lamar High School and was a 1947 Graduate of Rice University. She also received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Houston in 1949, Master of Arts from The University of Northern Colorado in 1950 and her Doctorate from Columbia University in 1957. Her Post-Doctoral study was at Baylor College of Medicine in 1968 and The University of Texas School of Public Health in 1972.
Hally was a professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Rice University from 1979 - 2000 where she spent nearly 20 years as the chair of the Department. She retired as Professor Emerita. Hally was also a consultant to teachers for East Africa, a District Advisor for Central and Northern Japan Girl Scouts and Director of the USA Women's Delegation to the Tokyo Olympic World Youth Camp, in conjunction with the 1964 Olympic Games.
Hally was honored by Rice University in 1963 with the Hugh Scott Cameron Award. She was also named a Rice Laureate, one of Rice's most prestigious honors. In 2015, she was honored by the Rice Athletic Department with induction into the Rice Athletic Hall of Fame. The Hally Beth Poindexter Award is given each year to the most outstanding women's volleyball player at Rice University.
Hally has been given over 20 awards by her professional organizations, including the most recent, the Pathfinder Leadership Award by TAHPERD.
Hally authored 4 books and 44 professional articles and was always in great demand as a professional speaker. She was a highly respected contributor on several professional editorial boards.
Hally was an avid amateur golfer, loved playing bridge, traveling and her many animals.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Inez Hall Walker and John House Bayne Walker and husband, Lieutenant Colonel Robert William Poindexter.
Hally is survived by her two daughters, Hally Beth Poindexter Toia and husband, Jeffery J. Toia of Mendham, NJ and Pamela Walker Poindexter of Chicago, IL; three grandchildren, Hally Toia Seminara, Katie Toia, Matthew Toia; two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her two lifelong friends, Peggy O'Neill and Eva J. Lee.
A memorial service will be conducted at ten o'clock in the morning on Friday, the 22nd of July, at the Rice University Memorial Chapel, 6100 Main Street in Houston. Immediately following the service, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held at the Athletic Department R-Room.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be made in Hally Poindexter's name to the Rice University Women's Athletic program, P.O Box 1892 Houston, TX 77251