Josephine A. Hall

Josephine (Jo) Annette Hall was born on March 31, 1944, the youngest child of Mary (Wright) Shoats and Melvin Shoats, in Climax, Georgia. During her early years, she attended the public school in Climax, Georgia and often travelled with her family between Georgia and Indiana, where she would visit with her older brother, Melvin Jr. (deceased). In 1959, she married and to this union, four children were born (James, Renee, Jacqueline, and Terrance).

After enduring some difficult life challenges in Georgia and desiring to establish a better life for herself and her children, Jo relocated to Morristown, New Jersey, where her sister, Mildred Jolley (deceased), resided. She worked for a short time at the RCA Records Pressing Plant in Rockaway, NJ; but found her professional home at Bell Laboratories/Lucent Technologies, where she worked in security until her retirement in 1999, after 25 years of service. She had a reputation as a great employee — committed to excellence, hardworking, and an out-going, affable personality with her co-workers. She maintained many of those relationships well into retirement as she and they moved away from New Jersey. During this time, she managed to have a career and successfully raise four children, a monumental task that speaks to her strength, resolve, resourcefulness, and faith in God.

Upon retirement, Josephine moved from New Jersey to Maryland to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She loved spending time with family and enjoyed supporting her family in their many interests and pursuits. In retirement, she cultivated her natural gifts and talents, explored new hobbies, and really delved more deeply into a lifelong passion for theater and travel. She enjoyed cruising throughout the Caribbean, though her trip to Egypt stood out as one of her fondest memories. She also loved going to see performances at Sight and Sound in Pennsylvania, the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC as well as performances in New York and other local theaters.

Josephine lived with family until her home was constructed at Cameron Grove. She was so excited to be residing in a community with like-minded individuals living life with gusto! She developed many friendships there and shared her many interests with them, including walking, gardening, fishing, crocheting, needlepoint, and travelling. She and her friends took full advantage of the many fitness classes at the Resort Center, often attending 2-3 classes per day. Known for her green thumb, Jo spent time planting and cultivating the flower bed in her cul-de-sac. She also had a plot (or two) in the community garden, and was always willing to share her expertise as well as her harvest with her family, friends, and neighbors.

Josephine loved the Lord! She gave her life to her Lord and Savor, Jesus Christ, at an early age; and worshipped at Climax First Born Church of God in Christ in Georgia. Upon arriving in Morristown, she joined Union Baptist Church where she remained until she relocated to Maryland and joined the Kettering Baptist Church family. She was a member of the usher board until she was unable to perform her duties, due to her back issues. She truly enjoyed worshipping with the saints. She could be seen most Sundays sitting in her favorite seat sporting her Sunday best, including one of her fancy hats from her huge collection! More importantly, she lived a life led by her Savior that impacted all with whom she came in contact. She was generous, kind, compassionate, and always ready to lend a helping hand.

Josephine was preceded in death by her parents and siblings; however, she leaves to cherish her memory—her children: James (Rebecca), Renee (Irwin), Jacqueline (Cornelius) and Terrance (Carmen); grandchildren: LaBron, Christina, Ian, FaShea, James, Michael, Ashley, Terrance Jr., and Christopher; nieces and nephews: Joseph, Michael, Gail, Daveon, Brandon, and Angelica; five great grandchildren, a host of extended family, and innumerable friends.

Today, we celebrate Josephine’s life knowing she has fought the good fight, finished her race, and kept the faith. While we mourn her and miss her dearly, we are thankful to the Lord for the 80 years He blessed her (and us) with on this earth; and we rejoice in the fact that she is no longer in pain and is resting in the bosom of her Lord and Savor, Jesus Christ.