Matha Hall

Matha Carol New Hall passed away on February 24, 2015 at Sumter Retirement Village in Plains, GA.  Born in Webster Parish, LA on May 19, 1922 to Henry Crofford and Lenora Willett New, she grew up in Claiborne Parish, LA, graduated from Harris High School and attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA.

On September 12, 1942, she married Henry Dozier Hall, a Georgian, and they spent the next seven years adventuring around the Deep South with Dozier’s work.  In 1955, Matha and Dozier and their young growing family moved to Buena Vista and made it their home.

Matha worked for the Marion County School System as a Kindergarten teacher’s aide for 15 years in the 1970’s and early 80’s.  Her extensive community volunteer work included service to the PTA, Cub Scouts, 4-H, Meals on Wheels, Marion County Historic Society, Pasaquan Preservation Society, Little League, Westville, Buena Vista/Marion County Chamber of Commerce, and others, especially those that benefitted children. 

Matha was a phenomenal seamstress and made countless costumes for school plays in addition to other items.  As anyone who knew her can attest, she freely shared her deep love of nature with everyone, especially her grandchildren.  Her home was home not only to her own six children, but also to numerous friends and relatives over the years. 

She was predeceased by her parents, husband Dozier Hall in 1974, son Terry Hall in 2004, son-in-law Bobby Swint in 2007, siblings Leonard New, Jesse Guy New, Lorene Sullivan, and several in-laws and nieces and nephews.

Survivors include children Cathy (Fred) Fussell, Columbus, GA, Ginger Swint and Guy (Tina) Hall, Buena Vista, GA, Fran Hall, Wheaton, IL, Katha (John) Stuart, Roswell, GA, daughter-in-law Ann Hall, Buena Vista, GA, grandchildren Coulter Fussell (Amos Harvey), Water Valley, MS, Jake Fussell, Durham, NC, Kali (Justin) Lowthorpe, Columbus, GA, Virginia “GiGi” Swint, Atlanta, GA, Dozier (Jessica) Hall, Caleb Hall, and Anna Hall, Buena Vista, GA, Elliott (Rachel) Hall, Stuttgart, Germany, Abby Stuart and Livi Stuart, Roswell, GA,  great-grandchildren Amos Henry Harvey and Booker Harvey, Water Valley, MS, and Bryce Hall, Buena Vista, GA and several extended family members and step grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family suggests floral tributes or memorial contributions to the Marion County Middle/High School Nature Study Program, One Eagle Drive, Buena Vista, GA 31803.   The family will receive friends on Thursday evening, February 26, 2015 6-8 pm at Watson-Tante Funeral Home in Buena Vista, GA.  A graveside service will be held at the Buena Vista Cemetery at 4 pm on Friday, February 27, 2015.  In the case of inclement weather, the service will be held in the Watson-Tante Chapel.

Watson-Tante Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.