Ronald K. Hall

Ronnie Hall, 70, of Tazewell, GA died on Tuesday just as he was born—at home in Tazewell.  He passed unexpectedly from a heart attack.  His birth was similarly surprising, a relatively late addition to the family of Vernon and Sara Hall, a painter and a cafeteria worker.  He was born at eleven o’clock on the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1945.  He was welcomed to the family by two doting older sisters, Marianne and Shirley.  A strong faith, work ethic, and commitment to serving others were intrinsic to his upbringing.  His father helped build the church in which his mother played piano.  Time and again he saw his neighbors rally together in times of need or loss.  This galvanized his commitment to community and service.

In 1963 he graduated from Marion County High School and then joined the United States Air Force.  His service took him all over, but he told especially good stories about basic training in San Antonio, Texas and being stationed in the cold of Anchorage, Alaska.  He returned home in 1967 and just by chance began the greatest story of his life at a Halloween Carnival.  There he met the love of his life Sheila Reynolds.  They were married in July of 1970.  They worked hard.  He was a telephone man and she was a bookkeeper.  They built a brick house and carved a smart little homeplace out of 5 and 6/10ths acres.  They had two sons, Brian in 1972 and Brad in 1976.  Ronnie took them to church, he taught them the virtue of hard work, and he impressed upon them the importance of service. He went to every baseball game, academic event and very nearly every practice they had.  His boys love him and respect him very much. 

He led by example.  He was an active Free Mason and took great pride in Marion Lodge #14 F.&A.M.  In 1998 he spearheaded the restoration of the 150 year old courthouse in which Lodge #14 resides. He loved Tazewell Baptist Church where he worshipped and served for the vast majority of his life.  He helped remodel it in the 1980’s and rebuild it after storm damage twenty years later.  The last few years of his life he and his family worshipped at Tazewell Methodist Church.  He also helped start and support the Tazewell Volunteer Fire Department.

The last decade and a half saw him become the proudest Granddaddy ever.  His greatest pleasure was watching Jordan play baseball, or Macy play piano, or Avery dance.  His second greatest joy was probably telling anyone who would listen about their exploits at the coffee shop.

You could set your watch by Ronnie Hall.  He believed in right for right’s sake.  He worked very hard.  He honored his mother and father.  He loved Tazewell.  He loved his family.  He loved God.

He is preceded in death by his parents Vernon and Sara Hall, as well as his brother Bobby Lewis and sister Marianne.  His is survived by his sister Shirley Headden of Smithville, GA; his loving wife Sheila; his sons Brian (Mauk, GA) and Brad (Athens, GA) and their wives Robin and Kimberly; and his grandchildren Jordan, Macy and Avery.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2016, at 3:30PM in the Chapel of Watson-Tante Funeral Home with Rev. Gene Yelverton and Rev. David Chapman officiating. Burial will follow the service in Tazewell Cemetery. The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, January 27, 2016, from 6:00-8:00PM. Serving as pallbearers will be Jay Walls, Addison Walls, Todd Reynolds, Cameron Elliott, Josh Moxley, and Ben Singleton. His Masonic Brothers will be honorary pall bearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Masonic Childrens’ Home, P. O. Box 4183, Macon, GA, 31208.

Watson-Tante Funeral Home of Buena Vista, Georgia, is in charge of these arrangements.