Odessa Allen Hall , 92, of Madison died May 13, 2012. She was born on September 10, 1919 in Morgan County to the late Wesley J. and Mattie Charleston Allen. She was the granddaughter of the late Anna Charleston and Frank and Mary Brewer Allen.
Mrs. Hall was an avid worker in her family-owned farming operation, recognized in 2010 by the Georgia Historic Preservation Division as a Centennial Farm known as The Charleston Allen Farm. She left Madison in 1936 to pursue her education at her parent’s insistence graduating from Forsyth Jr. College and Georgia State Teacher’s College (now Savannah State University) earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. She later earned a Masters degree from Teacher’s College of Columbia University in New York City. She received a sixth year certificate from Columbia beyond her Master’s Degree in the 1950s. Her 40-year teaching career as a quick spirited educator allowed her to impact many lives in the Columbus Public Schools, Bulloch, Burke and Morgan County Systems.
She met Leo Hall at Georgia State Teacher’s College while both were pursuing teaching degrees. They were married on June 21, 1946. They were married for 52 years before he went to be with the Lord in 1998.
She accepted Christ at an early age at Plainview Baptist Church. She has been an active and lifetime member of the Baptist faith.
Mrs. Hall leaves to cherish her memory a loving and devoted daughter Sandra Hall Cummings (James) of Atlanta; one grandson, Louis J. Cummings, Atlanta; special nieces Gwendolyn Jones West of Lithonia, and Wanda d. Huff of White Plains, New York; a host of nieces, nephews cousins and other relatives; special caregivers, Betty Terrell, Vera Boswell, Dottie Lee, Shekita Smith and Lawanda Jackson.
Her funeral was held at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 17 at Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Hoke L. Smith, pastor officiating. Interment was in Madison Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers were Deacons of Calvary Baptist Church. Flower bearers were Deaconess Ministry of Calvary Baptist Church.
Mapp-Gilmore Pyramid, LLC was in charge of arrangements.

Printed in the May 31, 2012 edition