Emma Whittington Hall

Emma Whittington Hall, of North Little Rock was born in La Cueva, New Mexico on November 18, 1919. She died on December 21, 2003 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Mrs. Hall was the daughter of the late Hiram Abiff Whittington and Carolyn Long. Her early years were spent on a New Mexico ranch followed by several moves after her father’s death – to Canada, Arkansas, and West Virginia, where early graduation from a girls’ school enabled her to enter the University of Arkansas at the age of 16. At this point she discovered her two life passions- acting and flying- her life gained focus and momentum that has been with her ever since. From the first time she laid eyes on a Piper cub, it was love at first sight. She earned her pilot’s license, then soloing in 1941, when she was 22.

Her other love acting, took her east for summer stock and likely would have led to a career in the theater if it hadn’t been for the outbreak of World World II. The next year, Hall received a letter sent out to all female pilots across the country and it offered her an opportunity she couldn’t resist; the chance to compete for one of 10 slots as a Navy pilot trainer.

After passing a rigorous selection process and training, Hall was awarded her wings in 1943 by the governor of Tennessee. She married Richard Hall on February 14, 1943, University of Arkansas engineering student and Navy pilot.

After the war, she and her husband, now deceased, settled in North Little Rock, and, with another man, founded Hall Tank Company, in 1952, where she was Chairman. Mrs. Hall was named to the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame in 1993 and was named to the Pioneer Hall of Fame by the National Association of Women Business Owners, she was also a Rotarian, and a member of the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, Citizen of the year and a member of St. Lukes Episcopal Church..

Among her many passions for life were fishing and ballroom dancing. Survivors include two sons; Dr. Richard Whittington Hall and wife, Lisa of Little Rock, Robert A. Hall and wife, Susanne of North Little Rock; niece; Carolyn Oehler of Florida; eight grandchildren, Richard and wife, Lydia, John, James, Jesse, Caroline, Mary, Annabeth, Robert and wife, Angela; three great-grandchildren, Abigail, Brooke and Alexandria. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and sister, Wescott Gaines.

Services will be at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday at St. Lukes Episcopal Church. Burial will be at Roselawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Turpentine Creek Animal Refuge of Eureka Springs, St. Lukes Episcopal Church of North Little Rock and the Covenant House of New Orleans. Family will receive friends from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M., Monday at North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main, 758-1170. Online obituary and guest register at www.northlittlerockfuneralhome.com.

Friends are invited to Whit and Lisa’s home after the funeral.