Harry Truman Hall
With all the grace and dignity he had, Harry was recently fighting the battle with lung cancer
with as much humor as he could muster. After a brief, yet courageous, and sometimes comical
fight, he finally won as his body is now healed. He has gone home and he is now celebrating,
telling a joke, and has found the perfect fishing hole.
He was born April 22, 1945 and was the son of the late Walker Henry and Ida Belvia (Bradley)
Hall. Harry was the “baby” of eleven children and was doted upon as such. Harry grew up in St.
Paul, Virginia and graduated from St. Paul High School, where he was an enthusiastic (but not
quite professional bound) football player. In fact, were it not for the sport, he may not have
been the first in his family to graduate from high school. It was there, he met the love of his life
(he may have copied her homework from time to time), but that comes later in the story…it
took him a while to convince her. He left home for great adventures in Baltimore, where he
was nurtured by his brother and sister, pushed out of the nest, taught how to really fish, and
introduced to Harley steaks and flounder (a love affair that would last for years to come.) He
came back home and Peggy finally relented, as his persistence paid off. He and Peggy were
married January 7, 1967, even though the wedding was supposed to be later in the summer.
He was NOT a very patient man. They began their journey in Bristol, then moved to Kingsport,
where they would build upon the legacy of 53 years together. He worked as a chemical
operator and later retired from Eastman Chemical Company, after 33 years of service.
He had high expectations of his family but was extremely proud of their accomplishments. He
loved telling people he had “one still in school, one in the hospital, and the last one is in
prison.” He was proud of people they grew to be, and was always their biggest cheerleader.
You saw the twinkle in his eye and his pride was evident any time he discussed “the kids.”
He was a man of minimal needs, but blessed others with immeasurable gifts. He never set out
to impress, yet, somehow he won you over with that sneaky little grin. He loved life, always
had a smile on his face, and joy in his heart. He was the person you went to with any need;
large or small, and he would find a way to ease your burden. People flocked to Harry for
friendship, bountiful conversation, sage advice, or a fishing partner, and you were always
welcomed with a hot cup of coffee and caring wisdom. If you were lucky, and didn’t let the
opportunity pass you by, you enjoyed some very quick witted, thought provoking zingers with
his constant jovial spirit, while some may have been given life changing advice, and some may
have just sat quietly in reflective silence. If you listened carefully, you All were blessed by his
caring, selfless nature.
Harry has wiped tears, held hands, prayed vigorously, hugged often, gave money when he had
none to spare, spoke softly, spoke sternly, winked, nodded, waved, embraced and loved like no
one else could. He was the most adoring yet empowering father and grandfather anyone could
possibly ask for. His love and devotion to his family was evident to anyone spending time with
him, and even more evident when you see the love and respect that was reciprocated. Both
old friends and new alike, knew that if Harry was your friend, he was a devoted friend for life.
Even if you were his football rival fifty years ago, the bond between friends was never broken,
and he picked up right where he left off, despite the fact he may have tried to steal your
girlfriend at the prom. Many friends entered his life in later years and before you knew it, he
was an honorary member of your family as well, becoming a part of your traditions, and always
there when you offered a meal. He was welcomed into many homes, campers, porches and
boats, as all wanted him to be a part of their lives.
Even though he was a Redskins fan, we can respect his love of most sports. But his heart was
always full when he had the opportunity to share his love of fishing with anyone willing to try
their luck. He instilled a love of nature and the water in all of his children and grandchildren.
He tended to his flowers, his lawn, his mulch, and spent hours “playing in the water out back.”
Harry was a faithful Christian and shared his testimony often. He served as a deacon, a youth
leader, and “Daddy sang bass” in a quartet. He may have carried on a time consuming prayer
when a big meal was waiting, but his words were heartfelt always. He was a member of
Sullivan Baptist Church. Lifelong friends were made during fellowship and those friendships are
still a very important part of family’s life. A road trip involving a life jacket may be in the near
future.
He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his siblings, Elmer L. Hall, Gladys V. Woody,
Willard (Bill) G. Hall, B. Kathleen Hall, M. Helen Miner, Aaron (Big A) L. Hall, Gene (Toots) H.
Hall, and Regina A. Hall
Harry is survived by the love of his life of 53 years, Peggy (Sullivan) Hall; his children, his person,
Angie and Harry’s son in law, his mini me Jimmy Hilton, little Mandy and big but can still take
you, Peggy’s son in law Andy Armstrong, that’s my boy, Ben and his favorite daughter in law
Tosha Hall; grandchildren the first one Savannah Hilton, my little buddy James (T3) Truman
Hilton, sweet little Abby Armstrong, Avery (Rosie) Armstrong, Amazing Grace Hall, Walker
(Walky) Bradley Hall, and Iggie Owen Hall; brother, Doug (Shelby) Hall, and sister E. Marie
(William) Stapleton, sisters in law Nancy Brooks, Betty Jo (Norman) Davis, Jennifer (Andy)
Bailey.
He was blessed to have loving extended family around him growing up, including father
figures and special cousins whom he felt were his brothers and sisters. There were always
laughs, plenty of food, many long conversations with some of these, and you know who you
are. He loved all of his family and has many very special nieces and nephews.
None of us will ever be the same again. There will always be a hole in our hearts and a void in
our lives once occupied by one of the most loving people God has ever blessed us with.
However, we all can cling to the unique way that he touched each and every one of our lives.
He was a devoted husband, hard worker, sweet friend, kind stranger, encouraging sibling, and
words will never adequately capture the impact he had on his children, grandchildren, nieces,
and nephews. Our world is truly a better place because Harry Hall was a part of it, and we are
the ones to benefit from his memories.
He was a very proud member of Masonic Lodge 688 in Kingsport and a private Masonic
ceremony will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, May 1, 2020 at Trinity Memorial Center in Kingsport,
Tennessee.
Trinity will offer a live stream of the ceremony their Facebook page. There will be a celebration
of life at a later date, to be announced by the family. “We will fix us up a mess of fish and some
‘naner puddin.” All online condolences can be made to Trinity Memorial Centers and memorial
contributions can be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 950 West Faris Road, Greeneville,
SC 29605.
The family would like to extend an invitation for safe distance visitation at the home on Friday
from 4-6 and Saturday from 10-2. Flowers may be sent to the home address as well.
Trinity Memorial Centers Funeral Home (423-723-8177) is honored to serve the Hall family.
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