Helen Jones Hall

Helen Jones Hall, of Roanoke, Va., entered into eternal life on Monday, December 8, 2008. Born on February 23, 1920, in Warren, Ark., the seventh child of Silas L. Jones and Louella Harper Jones. Helen attended public school in Warren, Arkansas, until 1929, at which time the family moved to Pine Bluff, Ark. She continued her education at Merrill High School in Pine Bluff, and upon graduation she enrolled in the Arkansas AM & N College, now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. After Attending Arkansas AM & N, Helen decided to pursue a career in nursing and enrolled in the program for registered nurses at the Medical College of Virginia, in Richmond, Va. Upon completion of the nursing degree and passing the Virginia State Board of Nurse Examiners, Helen attended Union University of Richmond, Virginia, where she enrolled in courses that she was denied admissions to at the Medical College of Virginia. Once completing course work at Union University, Helen was employed at the Salem Virginia Veterans Hospital until her retirement. She was a member of High Street Baptist Church where she was a Deaconess, a member of the Senior League, and also organized and coordinated the High Street Baptist Church Interpretive Praise Dancers. She belonged to many civic and social organizations and was one of the founding members of Smart Set and Chums, Inc. Helen was also one of the first black Registered Nurses to serve at Salem Veterans Administration Hospital. Helen was preceded in death by her husband of many years, Ward Hall. She is survived by a sister, Bessie J. Jordan, of Pine Bluff, Ark.; a brother, James T. Jones, of Atlanta, Ga.; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2008, at High Street Baptist Church with the Rev. David L. Chapman officiating and the Rev. Ulas N. Broady, eulogist. Condolences may be sent to www.Hamlar-Curtis.com.